Korean Job Discussion Forums

[krats1976]

I'm a certified teacher and I taught in the US before I came. So, when I started at the hagwon, I was prepared to put in time for preparing interesting lessons. Problem was, the director didn't want them. Our instructions were to follow the book directly. When we tried to be creative, we were told to stick to the book. So, we did. After about a month, my 'prep time' was about a 5 minute glance-through-the-books thing. Pretty sad.

But, now I'm at a real school so I get to put in the time to make interesting lessons again. Woohoo!!

[Privateer]

I thought everyone created materials to supplement the books at least some of the time, and most places have syllabuses although not many are very well thought through. So the point of this thread is to pat ourselves on the back and enjoy feeling superior to teachers who don't put in any effort?

[ajuma]

For the most part, I agree with weatherman. You have to have a "goal" for your classes and a textbook makes it easier both to define and travel towards that goal. Unless you've been teaching for a long time, it's hard to do that without a textbook.

Except in small classes (12 or fewer) I never use a book, as I've developed my own plan. I know where I'm going and what I expect the students to know by the end of the semester. Most students have used a textbook for 6+ years and can't communicate at all (and yeah...I know, as we all do, the reasons for that), so the non-book approach works well for me.

When I DO use a book, I do the book activities (if interesting and appropriate), but I also supplement with my own materials.

[Mr. Pink]

I'd say it depends what lvl of English you are teaching. If I supplemented every chapter in the book I use, I'd never get even half the book done. I think using a good book isn't a problem. In fact, my school makes sure I use a book. Giving a 100 handouts to 350 students who will probably lose them anyways just doesn't make sense.

I see your point about keeping the class interesting. I wish I could put a little more time into that. I think by knowing what I teach really well and presenting it in an easy way that sort of balances things. I am not hired to be an entertainer. I am hired to teach and make sure the students abilities grow.

Also I am not sure, but are you (OP) talking about hawgwon, school, university, adult, or business classes? I think where makes a big difference. At a hawgwon where you are more of an entertainer, your focus will be different than a school setting.