Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Pink]

If my students use one word answers on tests, I give them a zero.

I teach them to use full sentences, as it teaches proper grammar.

I disagree with the colleage who obviously doesn't have a clue about teaching ESL/EFL.

Especially with children, having them answer in full sentences, gives them a better grasp of the grammar.

Learn Korean, it is the same way when you learn it. You learn the full correct ways FIRST, then the shortcuts.

[rapier]

Real english indeed does consist of a lot of one word answers: but these are usually followed by more expansive dialogues.
I'd have no problem with my students using "yes" and "No" a lot, if they were truly able to follow it up with an explanation, a question, or a comment. But they can't.
I try asking open ended questions "What do you think of" or "why is that?" and so on, to provoke conversation- once they reach the age of 13 up. Its enjoyable to see them struggle to express themselves, however incorrectly. thats what its all about..

[Drakoi]

I have a 'three word' rule. My most common response is usually "I don't know." But it makes them think a little bit more than to just say yes, or no.

Usually the questions I ask aren't all that important, I'm teaching them a language and they have to practice using it. If they don't give a very good answer, I ask a different question, and if they still don't give a good answer, I offer one and make them repeat it. After doing that in class a couple of times, the kids get so embarrassed that they learn to come up with longer answers to start off with.

Use their embarrassment against them.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

To get longer answers I use a thing I got a book somewhere called "Answer Plus". They must answer the question plus give information, or an opinion, or ask a question back. It can be really short, but it's more than just the plain answer Eg

Where are you from?

I'm from Seoul, I moved here when I was seven

I'm from Seoul, it's a very exciting city

I'm from Seoul, where are you from?

[tsgarp]

Ya-ta boy isn't even a native speaker so he shouldn't even be teaching here.

[wylde]

just a little relevance to the thread please garp.... anything that relates would be a step in the right direction...

[VincentVulgati]

Full sentences is the way to go. It's the only way to learn proper grammar, and generally "lazy English" is understood by native speakers because the missing verbs are implied and understood through context.

You have to learn the rules before you can break them with any success.

I think that by learning to speak in full sentences the students will come to understand English grammar, and it will make "real" conversations easier.


VV