Korean Job Discussion Forums

[whatthefunk]

This week my preschool class enrollement almost doubled. That wouldn't have been a problem normally, but all the kids are 4-5 years old and don't even really speak korean. So now I have 16 preschoolers in one class...half of them are completly lost and will be for a few years to come.

So my question is, when should these kids start to learn english? What do you think a good age for them to start at is?

I think around 7 korean age is pretty good, but in reallity, no seven year old should have to sit in a hagwan all day...they should be out playing. However, if this society is intent on having its children learn english, they should start at 7.

[Zyzyfer]

Technically, the younger the child, the better. Unfortunately, what people don't get is that you can't just send a kid to a hakwon at any age and expect much of a result, unless you:

a)make the student practice at home as well, or;
b)have a child who really likes English

[whatthefunk]

[katydid]

Kids should be kids! What business does a 2 year old have learning English? The kid can barely speak Korean!! Why should a 9 year old spend all evening at a hagwan? He should be out playing soccer with his friends! It made me feel so bad to see this 5 year old girl in a classroom with 9 year olds last year.
Studying English should be a voluntary thing...I'm sure a lot of kids feel resentful they have to take the course and so there is the genesis of the "Hellohihowareyounicetomeetyoupuckyou!" chorus

[Zyzyfer]

[whatthefunk]

[hellofaniceguy]

This is a "no brainer." Any professional knows that early childhood education is the key. The eariler the better.

[kimcheeking]

[Zyzyfer]

[helly]

Kids should be [b]exposed[/b] to English at the earliest age possible. This is as simple as playing and singing along with English songs, reading books to the children (even to babies in the womb) and talking to them on a regular basis in the language. The tots will not, and should not be expected to respond, to anything at this time.

Formal [b]teaching[/b] should begin in the early elementary years, but still not the "sit down, study the textbook and listen to the lecture" approach that usually happens.

To address an earlier comment, [b]many[/b] Korean parents have the English ability to do this with their children, that is [b]expose[/b] them to the language. The problem comes when grandiose expectations start forcing the language on the little ones.

I have some friends who were always talking, singing and reading to their little daughter and she was comprehending the language at an amazingly early age. Because Dad started thinking that his kid was advanced, he started the sit-down, formal education (including the "stick") at the age of 2. She is now 7 years old, attends hagwons (not just English) all day, and WILL NOT speak a word of English nor respond to it in anyway. She doesn't even like it when we meet them because she is now afraid of the English-Ajushi

[makushi]

[whatthefunk]

[Avram Iancu]

I would say that in order to garner mastery of the word "Hello", expectant mothers should begin instruction while their little prince/princess is still in the womb...

[TheUrbanMyth]

[quote="makushiKids learn through playing...but unfortunately most parents are too lazy to get of their butts and play with their kids in any manner let alone an educational one...how many dads do you see outside everynight with their kids actively playing? ...[/quote]


Just because YOU only work 30 hours a week, doesn't mean that most Korean parents do. Most of them work six days a week. As for playing with the kids, go to a beach during summer vacation. You'll see plenty of it then.

[Zyzyfer]