Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mumblebee]

My institute has started a new advanced program for the higher-ability upper-elementry and middle school students. These kids were thoroughly tested (by me) to be sure that they could handle the material, so I know that the ability to speak and interact in English is there...but apparently the will is not.

I actually have 2 classes at this level, and the younger group has no problem with the activities (this is mostly speaking and groupwork activities), but the class of older students will not do anything unless I stand over them and direct them...forcing them, really..."Jee Sun...ask Ki Hwan if he likes to play soccer!"...just to get a complying whisper.

How can I make these teens feel more comfortable with me and each other? I tried to give them a "pep talk" during the first class, about how they need to open their mouths and be willing to make mistakes in order to make progress...but I think this just closed them down even more. I am no great kidder around, which is unfortunate, because the atmosphere is pretty glacial right now, and I am not sure what to do.

I thought that maybe some trust-building exercises would work, but I can't think of any that would be good...this is a mixed class (boys/girls, and sullen/shy).

Advice, anyone?

[JacktheCat]

Talk about (and design lessons) around what they, teenagers, like: music, computer games, sports, and for the older levels, good looking actors\singers.

Ask any teenage girl about what she thinks about Won Bin or Shinhwa and, trust me, you won't get her to shut up again.

Or jokingly ask one of the boys if he likes Ha Ri Su or Big Mama.

I once designed a week long curriculum around Maple Story and the students' characters, and it was one of my best, and best loved lessons yet.

[the_beaver]

A wise teacher once told me that pair work is the key to breaking silence and it has worked for me 99% of the time.

Break them into pairs, give them a task with a clear goal, give them a few minutes of awkward silence, show a couple of pairs what to do, and there it goes.

[eamo]

[eamo]

[Grotto]

I recommend bees. Get a bunch of bees in a jar. Tell students they must talk to each other in English. If they dont get the bees out and shake the jar up. If they still dont let the bees loose and lock the door once you have fled the classroom. They will have plenty of questions for you then...WHY TEACHER WHY???? HELP ME HELP ME PLEASE?

Bees are definately the answer

[JacktheCat]

The key to making groupwork work in a Korean classroom is hierarchy.

Assign each of the students in a group a job and title; leader, note taker, etc, and most importantly police officer (who makes sure the students in the group speak 'mostly' English).

[mumblebee]

These are great ideas, thanks for the help...only trouble is that the curriculum is all set up, and we're having trouble keeping on schedule as it is...so I can't spend too much time on other stuff.

Any ideas for good (and fast) opening games that will get them moving around and laughing at themselves, me, and each other?

[dzeisons]

check out the idea cook book at this very web site- it has some good ideas. when you do pair work etc. you have to wait for them to start interacting (which may take a few minutes for the first week or so until they get used to the routine). good luck

[mumblebee]

Hey, thanks for the reminder...I had actually been looking for those lists of games etc, but I forgot about them being in the Idea Cookbook...I kept searching in the teaching forums...

[canuckistan]

One of the things I think that stops even the better students from speaking up is the sound of their voice in English. Beyond the short phrases everyone knows, "new" stuff freaks a lot of them out ("Who is this alien in my body!!!!??) and many are always unsure if they're "doing it right." Teenagers beginning to feel more social pressure etc etc doesn't help with their speaking confidence. I help cure the "Who-is-this-alien-in-my-body" thing by making them read a passage/short story/dialogues out loud, and all together with the teacher each class. They take the pronunciation, rhythym, stress cues from me. Even the shy ones can murmur along without fear of total abject failure in front of their peers. Like having training wheels on a bike first. Particular words that prove to be a mouthful we'll repeat a few times--much laughs as everyone bungs it up. That's ok, we have fun. Later in the semester when it's getting to be old hat for them, I'll have them start reading aloud individually to the class while the rest read along. I've seen a lot of meek little mice completely change this way. I make the individual reading voluntary though, their chance to show off. Others see it's not that hard.
This is part of my practicing Speak, Read, Write, Listen plan for each lesson. After a few months on this Speak exercise, many also begin to better understand the sound relationship between the combinations of letters and words in front of them and what should come out of their mouths--something which is sorely lacking here. A lot of Korean kids can read/understand English surprisingly well...silently, but have them read a passage to you out loud? Eeeek!

[superhal]

recently, i have found out that the students themselves are familiar with this situation and have games and activities (in korean) to make the group cohesive. the time i observed this, they did it on their own after class (they were stuck in the hagwon all day.)

in a classroom setting, i have yet to even try this on my own, but i have some ideas:
1. just leave them alone for the last 20 minutes of class and see if they naturally do it.
2. bring in an older student to do it for you.
3. suggest to them that they do it.
4. have instructions for it (english or korean?) and then let them do it alone.

while this did not suddenly have them using english 24/7, it did make them more vocal in class.