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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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 Posted: Mon May 15, 2006 11:20 pm Post subject: Please help...! |
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I have been in Korea for all of 7months. Not a terribly long time, not a short time either.
Now I find myself getting frustrated with the kids...I am just starting to get classes of 6 (which is the most I have ever had in one class) and as this is new to me, I am uncertain how to deal with the problematic children and most importantly I am losing the battle of keeping them interested while still managing to teach the curriculum. Mostly these days I just feel like a dictator and less like an adult having some educational fun with the kids.
My disinterested kids are 13-16...does anyone have any suggestions??? Anything that may help me get back the fun? I am at a loss as to how to make lessons fun for them.
Please help!
Thanks |
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Fredbob
Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Location: Yongin-Breathing the air-sometimes
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 12:01 am Post subject: |
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| Hey, first, we need more info, or at least I do to take a swing at helping you. Hagwon or public school? Subject? # of boys and girls? Type of material, topics you are using and maybe a brief idea of what you've tried before. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 12:06 am Post subject: |
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| How much material are you provided with, do you have to use it, and how long are your lessons? |
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Homer
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 2:53 am Post subject: |
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More info and you will get good tips.
Also check out Daves "Idea cookbook" there is a wealth of information and tips about teaching there...it might help you.
You can find that at: http://www.eslcafe.com/ideas/index.html |
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captain kirk
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:09 am Post subject: |
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In my experience this is the time, month 7, you need to pretend you're starting all over again and get some new activities, really find and push those. Shake up, and make over, the routine. You probably feel, so it sounds, the kids are climbing up over the walls of your routine and thumbing their noses and mooning you (like they want a new teacher, and a revolution).
This, beyond the kids attempting to mutiny, probably feels unecessary because you feel sick of the whole thing. Same kids, same walk to work, same staffroom. And, most of all, no authority is pushing you to innovate. The boss and Korean teachers aren't aware you and the kids are bored in class. You can still get your two million won a month or whatever it is by continuing to be on autopilot. That's the thing. There is no incentive to be more than a sluggo, is there? No raise nor standard of measure.
Except it's just going to slide down, month seven to month nine. And it could be that, by then, the authorities would be considering firing you early and not paying severance would liven up the dolor. So I'd suggest somehow turn your world up side down and brighter. Shake the dust out and bring in new colors and activity. I find month 7 a cruel hump to get over, too, and wonder what some hotshot teachers on the forum here have to say about sprucing up class at that dire strait. |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:22 am Post subject: |
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| Fredbob wrote: |
| Hey, first, we need more info, or at least I do to take a swing at helping you. Hagwon or public school? Subject? # of boys and girls? Type of material, topics you are using and maybe a brief idea of what you've tried before. |
Sure thing, I wasn't sure how much info to give at first. I work at a brand new Hagwon, as in it started after I arrived in Korea. We have VERY FEW students...I have classes of one. Subject? English...? The classes with problems are boys and girls (about 50-50) aged from 13-16. Material? I use only one book...English Land (total !^%!) the levels change...from 1-4 at the moment. Though I do have one class of 15-16yr olds that learn from a much higher level and can't seem to find inspiration for them either. I have tried some basics...nothing special.
I do know about the idea cookbook, and I have perused other sites (millions I am sure) and I am just completely overwhelmed as far as what to use.
I am an artist, I like to be creative but I am really having issues with reconciling the two (artist and English teacher) and just because I am creative doesn't mean everyone else likes it.
Hmm...that's about all I can think of at the moment.
Thanks for taking notice in any case |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:24 am Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| How much material are you provided with, do you have to use it, and how long are your lessons? |
I am given my set of books...no extra stuff really. I MUST use the books. My lessons are only 25 mins long |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:28 am Post subject: |
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| captain kirk wrote: |
In my experience this is the time, month 7, you need to pretend you're starting all over again and get some new activities, really find and push those. Shake up, and make over, the routine. You probably feel, so it sounds, the kids are climbing up over the walls of your routine and thumbing their noses and mooning you (like they want a new teacher, and a revolution).
This, beyond the kids attempting to mutiny, probably feels unecessary because you feel sick of the whole thing. Same kids, same walk to work, same staffroom. And, most of all, no authority is pushing you to innovate. The boss and Korean teachers aren't aware you and the kids are bored in class. You can still get your two million won a month or whatever it is by continuing to be on autopilot. That's the thing. There is no incentive to be more than a sluggo, is there? No raise nor standard of measure.
Except it's just going to slide down, month seven to month nine. And it could be that, by then, the authorities would be considering firing you early and not paying severance would liven up the dolor. So I'd suggest somehow turn your world up side down and brighter. Shake the dust out and bring in new colors and activity. I find month 7 a cruel hump to get over, too, and wonder what some hotshot teachers on the forum here have to say about sprucing up class at that dire strait. |
Captain! You are bang on, on all counts. Just now I am looking for the means to the shaking the dust out bit! |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:33 am Post subject: |
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Ok, you need to get out the ball out and start throwing it around.
6 students? 25 mins? Thats nothing to whinge about.
Get them moving, make one of them feel stupid. Be a bit funny and hit them with something every now and then. |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
Ok, you need to get out the ball out and start throwing it around.
6 students? 25 mins? Thats nothing to whinge about.
Get them moving, make one of them feel stupid. Be a bit funny and hit them with something every now and then. |
Thanks for your reply. I should say that I am not Whinging (whatever the heck that means)...I AM however, asking for some assistance. I have done and do the things you have mentioned. Well except for the hitting bit.
I also know that every bloody foreigner out here has a story and all that, I am just trying to be proactive rather than reactive. I am trying to avoid the negative stereotypical behaviour that results from dealing with the sort of *bleep* that "all" of us seem to face. |
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Homer
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 3:48 am Post subject: |
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misswindupbird,
Take the books and try to find new ways to enhance the lesson material. Look up various websites that deal with lesson plans and classroom activities. You say you are creative, well roll with that! Get creative, innovate and improve the material. This will have two advantages: one it will give you something to do hereby easing your sense of boredom (?) and two it will make your lessons better and more dynamic hence enhancing learing for the kids.
Teaching is about many things, one of which is improving yourself and your methods on a regular basis..... |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 4:09 am Post subject: |
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| misswindupbird wrote: |
| I am just trying to be proactive rather than reactive. |
Thats a good idea.
Pit them against eachother. K-kids are more competitive than a pool of baby crocs, so turn stuff into competitions and the lessons'll pass quick. Its all about them talking rather than you.. make them open up up by pricking their sensibilities a touch. Drop statements like "China has the spiciest food in the world..I think i prefer Japanese cellphones" etc." or draw a world map with a tiny dot representing korea etc. then sit back and watch them go, correcting pronunciation and vocab constantly.Just have a laff with them. |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:39 am Post subject: |
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| Homer wrote: |
misswindupbird,
Take the books and try to find new ways to enhance the lesson material. Look up various websites that deal with lesson plans and classroom activities. You say you are creative, well roll with that! Get creative, innovate and improve the material. This will have two advantages: one it will give you something to do hereby easing your sense of boredom (?) and two it will make your lessons better and more dynamic hence enhancing learing for the kids.
Teaching is about many things, one of which is improving yourself and your methods on a regular basis..... |
Thank you Homer,
That is indeed absolutely true. No arguments here. And that is why I am here asking. My own creativity in this regard seems to be stagnant! I have spent countless hours trying to find those enhancements you speak of, I suppose I am feeling inundated? I don't really know...sometimes it just helps to bounce ideas, so that is what I am doing. Bouncing.
Thanks again for your input. |
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misswindupbird
Joined: 08 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
| misswindupbird wrote: |
| I am just trying to be proactive rather than reactive. |
Thats a good idea.
Pit them against eachother. K-kids are more competitive than a pool of baby crocs, so turn stuff into competitions and the lessons'll pass quick. Its all about them talking rather than you.. make them open up up by pricking their sensibilities a touch. Drop statements like "China has the spiciest food in the world..I think i prefer Japanese cellphones" etc." or draw a world map with a tiny dot representing korea etc. then sit back and watch them go, correcting pronunciation and vocab constantly.Just have a laff with them. |
Hmmm, I think you have something there. Or at least an inkling of something. Thanks. |
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SweetBear
Joined: 18 May 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 6:25 am Post subject: |
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First and foremost I think it's really really important to go into the classrom with a fresh attitude and leave all your previous problems with the class at the door. This helps me a lot. When I am psyched up to feel fresh and have decided to enjoy the time, the kids can sense it and will respond. Even if I am met with dull faces and heads down, I crack a joke ( or stand behind an unsuspecting student and mimic him/her) something like that. Good vibes and attitude. You can turn it around !
You are fortunate in a couple of respects, your classes are short, so be thankful that there is no time for boredom ! Also, I have always wanted to have a modicum of artistic talent. Man that is golden! If you can draw a funny sketch to get your point across, a picture is worth a thousand..... My drawings were so bad though that the kids got a kick out of that too.
Go in relaxed, don't be afraid to get goofy. How many classes a day do you teach?
Good luck to you 
Bear |
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