Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Zark]

I've been using Elementary Communication Games for about twelve years now - like it a lot - but am starting to feel like this old dog needs a few new tricks.

When I go to the major bookstores - I can't seem to find any books that are specifically activity-related. I'm looking for activities that will get the students up, moving about, and talking for at least 15 or more minutes.
I guess I have seen a few - but when I look at the activities they seem either far too complicated, or too child-oriented. I'm looking for stuff for university students (kind of mid-level).

Would anyone out there mind sharing the names of books they have found to be successful?

While I know there are lots of individual games etc on websites - I like to have a book to give to the students and assign them (as homework and class presentation work) the task of picking the activity, planning it - and then presenting it to the class. It adds a little pizzazz to the class.

Okay, this old bear will move over and is willing (and asking) to learn from the experienced folks on this board.

Thanks for any help.

Zzzzzzz

[thorin]

Dodgeball is fun.

[Dawn]

Have you tried Intermediate Communication Games by the same author?

Grammar Games and Activities for Teachers by Peter Watcyn-Jones is another one that includes a number of good communicative activities.

[Zark]

Thanks Dawn,

I have Hadfield's Advanced Communication Games but not the intermediate. I'll look for both of your recommendations. Have you seen them for sale in Korea?

Z

[steroidmaximus]

Tell me More by Andrew Finch & Hyun Tae-duck is a great book with enough activities for 2 years of classes. Designed specifically for the korean market. The whole book is available online here

[agraham]

There's a couple of books in the Cambridge series called "The Standby Book"(Lindstromberg) and "Keep Talking" (Ur). They are targeted for older students and adults, so I haven't been able to make as much use of them as I wanted, working in a elementary and middle school hogwon as I do. But they seem like they could be pretty good if your students are motivated to speak.

[Dawn]

[Zark]

Can you tell me where English Plus is in Seoul?
Thanks!

[Hanson]

English Plus is along the stretch between the Millenium building and Kyobo bookstore (on the same side of the street).

My "Bible" is the now out-of-print 'Move-Up' Resource Packs (5 levels) written by Susan Kay (and someone else I can't remember right now). It was originally published under the name "Rewards". There is also a student book (and Teacher's Manual) but it's average at best. Just those resource packs alone can adequately supplement ANY textbook. I have teachers where I work (Uni) that have asked me to photocopy the material, it's that good.

Each page has a handout/cutout/whatever with the teacher's notes on the flip side. It's easy to use, focuses on various aspects (writing/speaking/information gaps/crosswords/....), the activities are fun, and a lot of them involve moving around, or putting cut-outs in order/matching/dominoes...

A colleague of mine was able to order used copies through the net, but not sure where.

[jajdude]

I have seen an "English Plus" near Myongil station too (in Gangdong gu ---near east end of subway line 5)

[wild sphere]

develop materials on your own that reflect the similarities you merit in textbooks you previously used and which caters to your students language level. in terms of the materials and teaching goals that you've already covered, i would suggest probing your students newly acquired language skills in order to discover where exactly they may have had difficulty and need additional practice, then, design your ELT tasks in accordance to their language needs. while setting up your materials pay special attention to the content of your tasks in that it reinforces the aims and objectives that prepare your students for their next step, ideally, one level higher than where they are now.

it is much more educationally rewarding for your students and professionally awarding for you if you minimize your use of communicatively limited, materials centered, trendy textbooks and instead focus on your own more creative, communicative based language tasks as your supplementary and primary materials.

i'm familiar with all these commercialized, boring, waste of valuable teaching time textbooks mentioned in the previous posts. give your students a real, meaningful learning experience that they'll always remember by spending the first few hours getting to know their recreational hobbies, interests and probe their 4 English skills to find out their true English proficiency levels. Set and design your OWN interesting, educationally stimulating and motivating ELT materials and English learning tasks 1 level higher than their present English proficiency levels. they will indeed learn and never forget what you've taught them.

trust me, if you're only in it for the money, once their parents discover the improvement in their kids English skills after just 6-8 weeks with you and your tailor made materials as compared to years of incompetent Korean English teachers and hogwan backpacking sideshows, they will spam the word and you won't have a lock big enough to hold off all the job offers.

that is all.

[Hanson]

I'm bumping this to see if people have any newer recommendations.

[johnevandavid]

"Let's Sing! Let's Chant", by C. Graham

Also, the "Let's Go!" series from Oxford University Press

I don't know if it is an activities book per se, but it is a great guideline for basic phrases, and has some nice little songs if you buy the cd.

Right now, I am hoping to find some more good learning games. My repertoire includes only the name game, hangman, and alphabet bingo.