Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paji eh Wong]

I've been using an out-of-the-box Scholastic kindy cirriculum for the last 7 months. It's story and skill based, which is great, but it's primarily intended for students entering the North American school system, not EFL students. Anyway, the cirriculum is winding down over the next 6 weeks, and I need something to last me from the end of September to the middle of February. I'm looking for something specifically designed for EFL students, preferably theme based.

My questions are

1) Does anyone have any recomendations for another out-of-the-box kindy cirriculum?
2) Where can I find something like that in Seoul?
3) Do I need a segue between the two cirriculums or can I just say damn the torpedos?

Cheers

[Paji eh Wong]

boink


come on, someone help me out.

[Gollum]

Not sure it's "theme based" enough for you, but might be:

I liked the "Let's go" series. Both the textbook and the workbook should be purchased for each student.

It should be used along with the "Let's Sing, Let's Chant" songbook, too, which has a CD in the back (new version) or a tape sold separately (old version). Only the teacher needs to buy that book. You can write the words to the songs on the board, in many cases, or they're easy enough to sing along and learn. I can't stress how helpful the songs are.

There are also phonics books, but I didn't buy those due to budget.

Don't skimp by just buying the regular text books.

The first book is "Let's Go Starter", which is basically vocabulary and counting. I always supplimented this with additional single-letter-writing if they are able to hack it (at that age, they ain't so good at the motor skills).

The second book is called, "Let's Go 1", followed by 2, 3, 4, 5.

There are either CDs or tapes for the books, but often they sort of hidden in another area so they don't get stolen, so you have to ask for them.

Another totally different series is called, "New Parade". You might check that out too.

You can find these in any large bookstore. Try Bandi & Lundi's at COEX mall on the Green Line at the Samsung stop in East Seoul. Also, there's Kyobo books in Kangnam. Lot's of other places, too.

[Dawn]

Magic Time is my new favorite for the little guys. It's another Oxford University Press publication, but is specifically geared toward preschool/kinders (unlike Let's Go and English Time). Each four-page unit is based on a particular theme and includes the most basic vocabulary for that theme, along with at least one common sentence structure or question/answer pattern and four basic actions. Each unit ends with a phonics page designed to introduce students to the names and initial sounds of English letters. To my knowledge, Oxford has not yet produced flashcards to accompany these series, so if you want to do flashcard games, you'll have to make your own. There is, however, a song or chant to accompany every single lesson, and these are all in the back of the student book. The workbooks are, IMO, rather lame (though you can do most pages quickly if you get stuck using them). The teacher's manual, on the other hand, includes two make-and-take activities for every unit (one theme-based, one to accompany the letters of the unit), and most of these are pretty good.

Another good resource is The Complete Resource Book: An Early Childhood Curriculum, written by Pam Schiller and published by Gryphon House. It's intended to be an all-inclusive activities-based preschool curriculum. I've never attempted to use it as such, but do draw heavily from the thematic content.

[Paji eh Wong]

[OiGirl]

Let's Go is EFL targeted. Asian, in fact, despite the cheery little multi-ethnic children that populate it. I'm not sure if Let's Go 1 would be low enough for your kindergarteners, though. It's not theme-based in quite the way that North American materials would be, but there are chapters on school, toys, feelings, etc. I think it's much better if you get the Oxford Picture Dictionary for Kids (the whole program) to go along with it.

[Dawn]

Just remembered another one that might be worth looking into. ScottForesman has added a kindergarten level to their ESL curriculum, and it is entirely theme based. I haven't studied the overall kindergarten package, but from what I recall, learning centers on a series of beautiful, photo-illustrated big books dealing with real life topics such as animals, food, weather and seasons, etc. It's not cheap. Each of the big books runs about W40,000, and there are more than half a dozen in the series. But the books do hold the students' attention, and the one I have has stood up well to heavy use.

[margaret]

We used the Let's Go books and they worked well. You can start them on the Let's Go Starter books. Be sure to use the tapes and teachers cards that go with the series. I especially liked these teachers cards as opposed to other pictures, cards and materials we had because they showed people and things in context rather than isolated objects which enabled me to ask a variety of questions, make up stories, etc.
Margaret

[Dalton]

Here's a link I like maybe it has some things for you. Otherwise I'd suggest keeping it simple. Singing songs, playing games and telling stories that you remember from that age in school.
TTeacher Lesson Plans - Absolute Beginner English - 20 Point Program

Smile series is simple, Parade1 maybe.

Teach them to describe themselves and their environment qualitatively and quantitatively.

eg: What is it- It's my head, I have two eyes, two ears etc.
What is it- it's a door, it's a rectangle, it's brown, it's ugly.
Who are you- I'm Sarah, I'm 5, I'm Korean, I like white, I like Dok bo kee, etc.

I have 5-6 year olds doing all that and -it is a classroom, it has 4 walls, one ceiling, one floor, 2 windows and one door.