Korean Job Discussion Forums

[LuxieC]

This is my first week teaching in a Korean high school, and I must admit, Im disappointed. I understand that there are 40 kids to a class, 4 x's a day. But I didnt expect a differnet set of classes every day. I have over 800 students a week, most speak basically no English and get no extra help at Hagwons. What's a frustrated, normally upbeat, female teacher to do? Slapping them with rulers while screamingin English isnt an option.

[Sody]

You will learn how to teach very quickly. I also teach in a public school and my biggest class at one point was 58 students. It is ridiculous I know but try and make the best of it. The best thing to do is to do activities that the majority will be interested in. Chants, showing pictures that engage them to talk about Korea and songs are a good thing. Make the chants fun and silly if you want. Do writing work as well. Hope this helps.

Sody

[I_Am_Wrong]

-start simple
-have well organized lesson plans
-teach

[Milwaukiedave]

I have 23 classes a week and each class has 32-36 students in a class. It's pretty common.

[Jarome_Turner]

You think you've got it bad, huh? Try teaching 2 classes of grade 2's all week long! And each of my classes has 10 students in it! That's right, I have 20 students in total!!!! Not only is it frustrating knowing EVERY kids name, but the majority of them speak near PERFECT English!
The horrors!

[kermo]

Look for ways to make the class as predictable as possible. Explaining new activities is a PAIN, so sticking to a routine is best.

Establish ways to ask for attention. I use clapping sometimes, and getting the students to repeat. If I REALLY need to get them looking and listening, I call out "Dae .... Han Min GUK!" and they automatically clap back a pattern in response (I think they were born knowing how to do that.)

Be firm, and don't start until you have everyone's attention. Just standing at the front of the class, looking at certain students expectantly is more effective than hollering. If you're talking all the time, and no one can understand, they'll just tune you out.

Hopefully you have a co-teacher who can help you lay down the law from time to time. Sorry- I've got to run, but will try to write more later.

[Swiss James]

[Swiss James]

I'm sorry, I totally misread the title of this thread

[seoulsucker]

If you do have a Korean co-teacher in the classroom, make sure they stick to a purely supportive role and only chime in when you really need help.

I had a co-teacher (who was also my supervisor) basically translate everything I said into Korean, which basically made the entire class tune me out. The other classes developed much better listening skills as the year went on because they were forced to listen only to me.

Group activities are the best thing to do, and stick to a similar format so you don't spend half the period explaining new rules. Keep them in groups of 10 students or so, and you'll find the classroom much easier to manage. Each group will usually have a few students genuinely interested in the activity, and they'll help motivate the group.

Try and incorporate pop stars, actors, and sports into your activities, and it will help keep their attention.

Come to grips with the fact that you're pretty much there as a dog and pony show. 50 minutes once a week split between 40 students will not give them the kind of exposure they really need to improve their conversation skills or pronunciation. You'll make a small impact, but don't get frustrated if they don't improve at all during the year.

Instead, take joy in the fact that you can give these poor kids a break in their day full of monotonous Korean-style lecturing and abuse, let them be young adults instead of study machines for an hour a day, and they'll learn to love you and the class.

Hope this helps.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Start reading the job-related discussion forum.

- plan interesting lessons that are at their level
- don't rely on the co-teacher (if you have one) for anything
- get to know the best students
- be satisfied with small victories
- have fun

[huffdaddy]

Don't stress about it. You're not a real teacher anyways, just a waygookin on display. If you want to make a difference, go to a hagwon.
































(sorry to the OP, but it's a running joke that you may or may not be aware of)

[LuxieC]

I'm feeling much better after this morning's class. Im noticing that classes with all boys or all girls are much easier to teach. The kids arent as scared to look utter idiots in front of the same gender.

[crazylemongirl]

Welcome to the wonderful world of public school teaching.

My trick is that I yell attention and the students yell it back. Unruly ones are given the death stare as we are doing it and fall into line.

One word, a magic word. Is important.

[kermo]

[eamo]