Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I think reading is easiest to teach. Maybe it's the least embarrassing for the students. Still a lot of them don't like reading aloud, but it may be almost the only English they actually utter in class. And it's good to check for pronunciation. But checking their comprehension is more difficult. Some students pronounce the words well, and the teacher may be misled into thinking that student understands the material. A few good questions may prove otherwise.

Speaking is not easy to teach. I don't really know how to do it anyway. Seems like it requires quite a long time. AND alongside that there is listening. Also not easy. Do your students actually listen to you? A lot of mine don't. Some of these classes are just once a week, for 45 or 90 minutes. Sometimes I get bummed out when they just blab in Korean.

Writing is also hard. That's grammar. Hell, I couldn't write well when I first entered university. With most of the students I have, at an average hagwon, it's remarkable to see even a few of them spell correctly.

Sometimes it's amazing some Koreans do learn to be proficient at English.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 3:59 am Post subject:

Never really taught reading officially, but I do a lot of Speaking and Listening classes right now. Listening is a piece of cake with the right materials, and it's not hard at all to integrate speaking into it.

Also teach writing and find the teaching easy, but checking essays? Bleh.

Straight speaking classes baffle me. Stupid free talking.

MixtecaMike · Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2005 4:08 am Post subject:

I love teaching pronunciation. You get them to stick their fingers in their mouths, in their ears, grab their tongues, you draw big lips, tongues and teeth on the board. You get them all laughing at each others mispronunciations, (in a friendly way, of course) and everyone has a great time.

And the IPA, I love it!!!!

Zenpickle · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Location: Anyang -- Bisan

I started doing something with my older elementaries that makes them more aware of their pronunciation. We go around reading a passage one by one where I monitor correct pronunciation. Then the kids have a contest on who can read it again with the worst Konglish-ee accent.

And you know what? I'm not hearing, "The queen's having fish-ee for lunch-ee," as much as I used to.

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

g\hmm, I always considered speaking WAAAAYYY easier thn reading. Maybe its my past- I teach Speaking the same way that I learned acting- lots of standing up to speak (the students), lots of writing then Reading what they wrote, and most importantly perhaps lots of playing physical games- while speaking english.

Ody · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Location: over here

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

I taught everything but I think I enjoyed teaching phonics the most.

desultude · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:30 am Post subject:

I always had the impression that other people loved teaching conversation, and I have felt like a dolt for not liking it. I'm glad to hear that I am not alone.

I like teaching writing (except for all of the correcting!).

I_Am_Wrong · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: whatever

I like teaching conversation: speaking and listening.

I hate teaching reading...mostly because of the stories I have to teach and the fact that they're never graded to the right level.