Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nev]

I've just been landed the most pointless class of my life, a once weekly class with three 3-year olds (Korean age), lasting half an hour. I've taught kindergarten before and enjoyed it, but frankly this is beyond a waste of time.

However, the tiny glimmer of light is that at least I am free to use materials of my choosing. Thus, can anyone recommend a good textbook for VERY young learners? They can barely speak Korean, let alone English.

The mothers are to remain in the class with their babies and so I want a book that just has colourful pictures, maybe some simple activities, but I'd like to avoid too many songs. I know they are too young to learn the alphabet. Christ, they can't even hold a pencil.

Thanks

[plattwaz]

Although VERY frustrating to teach to Kindies, the BALLOONS series might not be too bad, because it is full of useless pages with colourful pictures on them. The first level of the book aims to teach colours, shapes, family, etc.

Also, Teddy's Train -- again very annoying -- has a great video that accompanies the book and the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE the video and songs. The workbook is mostly just colouring pages as well, so they can scribble over them for a bit.

I use both of these books for a few kids who just turned 3 years old, 4 Korean.

[nev]

Thanks for that, I might check out Balloons. I'm afraid my school doesn't even have whiteboards or plug sockets that aren't hanging loose or mysteriously stuck on the ceiling, so any sort of video technology is a distant dream.

[tzechuk]

Teddy's Train is good. I enjoyed using that the odd times I helped a friend out teaching her kid. A good book to use in a large group. I didn't have the video though but the cassettes have songs in it that the kid loved. Lots of activities to do that take loads of time, so your 30 mins will go by like lightning!

[joe_doufu]

[plattwaz]

Yes -- songs are one of the very best ways to get the attention of toddlers, and to keep their interest and attention. Plus, they actually DO learn new words from them....although it's a bit boring for a fully grown adult to clap their hands and make funny actions to the songs, it gets the kids in giggles and they try to imitate your actions. Total Physical Response (TPR) works really well with songs as well.......

[d503]

I'll chime in on the teddy train, train. My kids always liked it ( I taught kids age 3 and 4 korean)

and the best part is that the back of each page is blank, so you can redirect scribbling to a blank page and away from the activity pages.

You will have their moms, that is great. They will take care of a lot of the little kid issues that make those classes so hard (crying, fighting, bathrooming, sickness, snotting...etc). Also with moms there it means that every kid will have someone to keep them on task making doing songs that much easier.....Sing man Sing

[jajdude]

How about lots of toys? Lego? Play-doh? etc..?

[mindmetoo]

Pat the Bunny is a classic.

[Grotto]

Bernstein Bears
Dr Seuss
Hands on stuff
lots of activities and games
dont worry too much about teaching them ....

When you say 3 years old is that western age or Korean?

Lots of coloring, singing songs, nursery rhymes...anything.

Paddy cake, one potato two potato was immensly popular with my class of 5 year olds(western age)

[casey's moon]

I taught 4 year olds last year -- no book. Since it is only once a week anyway, I wouldn't bother with a book at all for these 3 year olds either. Songs, games, and flaschards are the way to go -- unless you don't have access to these materials.... but if you don't then your director is asking way too much of you.

I also question why you are hesitant to use a lot of songs -- songs are the main way to go with little kids -- especially songs with fun actions. Chants and fingerplays are also good. One book I like (comes with a tape if your problem is that you don't like singing in front of people) is "Wee Sing"

Also, I think you are really underestimating these kids. The younger the better for learning a new language, particularly pronounciation and listening. It is not a waste of time at all -- but to make it work, you're going to have to completely change your teaching style from any other class you've ever taught.

Actually, on second thought, the fact that it is only once a week might mean that it is a waste of time.... hmmm. I hope you'll let us know how it works out after the first few weeks!

[nev]

They are 3 years old Korean age. The reason I don't want to use songs is because the mothers are to be there with them - holding them on their knees - the whole time. I really don't enjoy singing but don't mind singing in a classroom of kids; however I have some self-respect and can't bring myself to do so with the mothers there. I don't think of myself as a performing monkey quite yet.

I've got experience with kindergarten but just nothing this young, or with mothers present. This job was meant to be elementary school only so I'm rather displeased.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll look into them this weekend. No doubt with this valuable 30 minutes a week, all three babies will be keeping English blogs on world politics by the end of the year.

[tzechuk]

nev... I really doubt that the mothers will think of you as a entertaining monkey.. you will just be more like a facilitator and the mothers will probably make a bigger fools of themselves with their kids than you will. It's no fun without songs, tbh... even Letty, aged 6.5 months, LOVES songs!

[casey's moon]

[nev]