Korean Job Discussion Forums

[some waygug-in]

Insert rant below:
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This has to be one of the most frustrating issues that I have to face in Korea. Koreans always seem to feel that they are "high-level" and thus want to use the most difficult material possible, in the quickest time possible.

These same students usually can't put together a decent sentence if their lives depended on it. How on Earth can anyone teach these people?
Everytime you try and get them working on stuff that's at or around their level of competence, they complain and whine that it's boring.. blah, blah, blah.

What the hell do you do with these guys?

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Rant over.

[Bodid]

what if you either 1. gave them a book slightly lower than their level (so when they ask for a new book you can happily comply with the book that you really want to use anyway) or 2. when they ask for a higher book, give them a book of the same level from a different series and tell them it is very difficult and you're not sure they can do it.

[JennyJJ]

someone said, "What the hell do you do with these guys?"

Yeah, it's a problem. Here's how I handle it.

"You guys are great! And, your skills are such that it is time to go back and put a little bit of polish on what you do have. I have some really difficult handouts I'll give you later for us to work on - but for now I know a few people in the class - NOT EVERYONE! - but just a few - have some problems that we can easily fix with the material we have here. Everyone has just a few little things they need to work on - so let's get that out of the way right now. Then - you'll be sooooo smooottthhhh."

Students are much more responsive if you make it clear that this "basic" material isn't for them - it's for the guy in the back that needs some help. wink wink

btw, it also helps to make sure that the basic material is NOT boring.

I have exactly the same problem in my writing classes where students want to write lengthy essays - when they can't even put together a decent sentence.

[some waygug-in]

Thanks for your suggestions. I don't know if I can do some of these things, as I am teaching very small classes, without a textbook. I have several books that I copy articles and exercises from, but the students always seem to think that they should be using the most advanced level stuff.

I think I should write an essay for them entitled. "understanding is only 10%, practice is 90%" or something like that.

Anyway, cheers

[kylehawkins2000]

Try doing some diagnostic assesments of their general abilities. Then, assuming you have the time, sit down and point out their mistakes. Then gear the instruction to improve upon the weaknesses you have pointed out. They should be able to see a clear link between their weaknesses and the material being learned. If you have a variety of levels in your class it may be effective to incorporate material that can be adapted in different ways for different students in you class.

[bibimbap]

"pedagodgy."

is that like play-dough?

m.

[paperbag princess]

"pedagodgy."

is that like play-dough?


hahahahaha!! good one!