Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanKorea]

Hello, just got a call from my school and they want me next week. I said "oh...ok" (still in shock) and I'm going to try and relax. I'm not used to Korean business tactics despite being raised in a pseudo-Korean household.

What suggestions do you all have for teaching materials to bring over? I think I'm teaching mainly elementary students. And some middle school.
Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

[BTM]

If you're going to a major centre, these days there are bookstores with *stacks* of ELT materials. I don't teach kids (don't teach bugger-all at the moment, being unemployed ), so I'm not sure.

One perennial time-waster no no sorry I mean learning activity that many of my coworkers (and me too) used back in the hagwon days was Scrabble and other games of that ilk. Years ago, you couldn't buy it here, but I'm not sure if that's changed these days or not.

I would bring loads of pictures of your family, your hometown, all of that. Great stuff to break the ice with a class, depending on their age and the class size...

[ratslash]

don't bring a thing. don't need too. fotos like reply 1 says are good for ice breaking. you can get scrabble, boggle and all kinds of books and other games here in seoul. but then again, scrabble and other similar games are expensive here. so if you can slip an old one into your bag then you might save yourself a little bot of money. otherwise, leave it at home.

[kimcheeking]

The most important thing is to bring a steel plate to protect your bum-hole from all those evil dong-chim's

other than that bring plenty of energy and enthusiasm... also do some reading on theory and practical ideas before you come or at the very minimum bring a book and start reading it on the plane.

[ratslash]

not really got a lot to add to this post apart from to agree with kimcheeking.

the real reason i'm writing is that this is my 100th post! oh, the little joys of living in seoul. they keep you sane!

[CanKorea]

Thanks guys, I may cruise around for some games and such..and I think I'll try to bring some magazines as well. My last class loved magazines.

The director also told me bringing things wasn't necessary but I hate to be totally unprepared.

[crazylemongirl]

I'm going to do a waterbaby impression and suggest that you visit her most excellent FAQ's or more specifically the What teaching materials to bring as a newbie thread.

CLG

[chronicpride]

[VanIslander]

Here are some gifts that have served me well in the classroom as learning aids and as prizes for the students.

POSTCARDS. These are great lesson and review tools, and after you can give them away! Anything with husky dogs, polar bears, baby seals, baby foxes, baby anything, moose, beavers, the B.C. Rockies, the RCMP, parliamentary guards, hockey goalies. My students almost never choose postcards of the prairies, rivers, cities, adult deer or owls.

STICKERS. Most of my younger students work very hard at their exercises to earn the right to choose first, second or third the sticker they get to keep. Anything with special themes or Canadian images, or English words.

COINS. I used them in lessons about numbers, money, 'flipping', 'sailboat', 'beaver', 'maple leaf', 'queen', 'silver'. More importantly, students value the money and they make great prizes.

STAMPS. One-, two-, and five-cent stamps are an incredible goldmine because they are cheap, come in great variety, and can help students with numbers, money and mail lessons. It combines the features of stickers with the value of money. Very Popular.

FOUR-COLOUR PENS. My students freak over the fourth, green colour that is missing on the three-colour variety found around here. Any school supplies that are clearly foreign will be appreciated.

THEMED SMALL ERASERS. Pencils here have no erasers on the end so erasers are one way the competitive students make fashion statements.

CANDY. Small, fruity (or cola) candy with distinctively foreign wrapper. Avoid minty or licorice flavours.

COFFEE CRISP MINI-BARS. This originally Canadian chocolate bar has been a big hit with my students. (Can you find them outside of Halloween season?)

COMICS. Photocopy a few dozen comic books and they can be great learning aids. It's the one thing I wish I had brought and will stock up on next time.

ADVERTISEMENTS. I have had great success capturing student interest with magazine, newspaper and t.v. ads. The pictures are colourful and the words are simple and largely displayed.

Of course, none of these items are necessary for teaching though they sure help:!:

There is a kind of gift you should bring if you want to honour Korean tradition: gifts for when you visit someone's home, and of course, when you first meet your director and staff. CIGARETTES are highly valued, especially with those funny warning labels. ALCOHOL. A couple of those tiny bottles of "Alberta Premium" whiskey or B.C. wines will be appreciated (though beer more so). MAPLE SYRUP is a novelty item that has served me well. A WATCH. Many Koreans see watches as fashion statements and even a cheap Zellers brand can impress. SPICY HOT SAUCE. A small bottle of Texas hot sauce would surprise many Koreans who 'know' Westerners don't like spicy food. A PACKET OF INSTANT GRAVY would have to come with an explanation as to what it is and what it is to be used with. LIPTON'S CHICKEN NOODLE would be educational as the Canadian product closest to the Korean staple of ramyeon.

Happy packing