Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kiddirts]

I've gotta start one this Friday and not sure how to run it...sit there and watch them write, correct grammar? Of course not, any ideas? Thanks...

[OiGirl]

I am teaching a writing class for the first time in ten years. One element I think is especially useful is to have a multi-trait rubric and then to focus on one trait at a time. Mine is at school, if you want I'll try to remember to scan it tomorrow.

[Ekuboko]

1. Give them an example - first as a quick reading exercise, then analyze for structure, layout, key phrases, register etc.

2. You can teach and or elicit more useful phrases, and highlight what might be inappropriate.

3. Set a writing task related to the example.

For example, you can choose a topic like formal letter/email (and even sub-groups within that like a letter of complaint, job application, letter to the Editor etc) or a discursive essay.

You can compare two samples, like informal and formal letters. You can compare the difference between Korean and English letter writing styles (I really hate how they write 'Dear, my friend! I am So Yeon. ..'

I've used a friend's postcard before with Advanced students. On the surface you think it's easy writing a travel postacrd, but actually there are certain colloquial phrases he used they didn't know as well as thinking about what you write about on a postcard and how you leave out pronouns to save space.

You can also do collaborative writing where students brainstorm ideas in a group and then you assign each member of a group one paragraph to write (good for essay writing and also teamwork).

You can do a lot of error correction with them - get them to correct their partner's writing after doing a task.
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A good first class task is to get the students to interview another classmate they don't know - get them to imagine they are all celebrities as well as interviewers. They write about 10 interview questions (some standard, some more interesting (like the famous people to dinner party question) and then spend about 20mins talking with their partner, taking notes.
When time's up, you get them to write a magazine-type profile of their interview partner, encouraging them to make the opening sentence eye catching and interesting.
If you want to stretch this task out, get them to write a draft copy, then use the next class for them to do some peer correction, then they can write the master copy. I usually take each person's photo and stick it on the same page. At the end of the course, each person gets their profile to keep.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I asked the same question not long ago. The advice I got was to check out "Composition Practice" by Linda Lonon Blanton (I got the first 2 books...I think there are 4). It was sound advice. The books look like a very usable program.

We ordered it online from Kyobo. W12,000 for Book 1.

I also have a series of 3 books: Writing by Andrew Littlejohn (Cambridge University Press) that has some interesting-looking activities that I plan to plunder and use.

[Zenpickle]

I'm teaching a textbook-based writing class to kids in third level English. It's been working out okay. We combine it with reading storybooks (this month was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") and discussing them.

The thing is to get them to start thinking about writing. Put up different titles for the same book and have them choose which one is the most interesting. Start showing them that good writing is interesting writing.

Next, we started working on personal narratives. The first thing they needed to learn was to put things in order, so I gave them bits of a story that was put out of order and had them put it together correctly. They're starting to write personal journals, and they enjoy learning and practicing proofreading techniques.

[Hanson]

Hey there,

not sure what level, or age group you're teaching, but check out this thread:
http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=40827&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Also, doing a search might yield other such threads...

[Mr. Pink]

I would suggest Great Sentences for Great Paragraphs by

Keith S Folse, April Muchmore-Vokoun, and Elena Vestri Solomon

Houghton Mifflin Company are the publishers.

It starts with very basic things.

In all my years of teaching writing it is the best book I have come across.

[Kiddirts]

it's actually a master's English writing course at Seoul National University. It actually starts October 14th, got changed last Friday...thanks for your help so far. So something on that age level...

[SuperHero]