Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kim Jong Jordan]

I have a private class on Wednesday nights with three teenagers, 2 girls and a boy. It was set up by my hagwon and they have left me completely to my own devices. The students are quite advanced for 15 year olds and they told me that they want to improve their speaking abilities. So I guess what I'm looking for from any of you are suggestions that may have worked for you in similar situations that could be used to really engage them (they are very shy) and help them improve their confidence and speaking skills. Thanks a million, I seem to have a case of teachers block right now.

[eamo]

Roleplay, roleplay, roleplay.

Assign them different real-life situations. eg. Shopping for a computer. Doctors office. Bus stop. Bank robbery (it's worked well for me!)

Have them write their own little script with enough dialogue for about 5 mins. They'll need your help here to correct grammar and to model stress and intonation.

Have them act out the dialogue with as much realism as they can muster.

Switch the roles and do it again.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

Privates are illegal. Great idea getting a private through your hagwon..I guess you arent afraid of them using it as something to blackmail you with down the road.

[trigger123]

argh, dw has a point here. if i were you i would be very very careful with this situation.
for shy students i would recommend that they write down what they plan to say before hand and let them refer to their notes. also be wary of correcting them with errors.
ideas? do lots of pair work, little open group talking to start with as they are so nervous. think about what you were into when you were young, and maybe pick up a copy of 'Jazz English' (yeah i know) or 'Teen Talk' from Kyobo or another large bookstore for ideas for topics

[jajdude]

Flash cards, like "Let's Go" can be good. Or you could just write a bunch of words. Then describe the thing. Everyone guesses what you are talking about.

[Son Deureo!]

Pusan National University Press puts out a pretty good conversation book for advanced teenagers called Small Group Discussion Topics for Korean High School Students. As you should be able to tell from the title, it's pretty much custom-designed for your needs.

If you're in Seoul, check out any of the bigger bookstores' English learning sections and you should be able to find it.

[the eye]

[ajuma]

Do some work on pronunciation. I've got a list of great sentences to use for Korean students, especially for the sounds they have difficulty with (f, th, w, z, j) and the bus-uh, church-ee problem. Even shy students get into the fun of it if you handle it right! PM me if you want them.

I won't be back in my office until Monday, so be patient!

[Kim Jong Jordan]

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[buymybook]