Korean Job Discussion Forums

[barashkov1]

If I were to allow myself to be placed in some random middle school by SMOE, what are the chances that I would find myself in a school that would allow me to teach from my own books? (I've taught English before and I would like to teach from my own books).

[spliff]

Middle school in Seoul = no problem. They'd probably welcome it as the curriculum as it stands presently leaves a lot to be desired.

[pkang0202]

[Bibbitybop]

As a SMOE teacher, I would say "maybe."

Every school is a gamble. Some teachers are given the textbook and told to teach from it, even from certain "talking" pages. Other schools don't care what the teacher does and would welcome your ideas and books (though don't expect them to be purchasing hundreds of books for the students. Other schools have a nice mix where you can teach out of their textbook and do whatever you want in addition to that.

I can't stress enough that it's really a gamble. I would recommend making a good, professional 1st impression and showing them some of your ideas, yet you must understand some schools will think you should be listening to their requests, not coming up with your own ideas. I mean, what would a native speaking English teacher know about teaching English?

[spliff]

[climber159]

My middle school students have the attention span of gnats so it has been helpful to break the class time up into two or three sections. I'll usually teach something out of the textbook at the beginning of the class. The book is mostly worthless (and watch out for the Konglish in print!). Most of the class I spend with group work/activity on the same topic that the week's textbook chapter deals with. The Korean teachers seem to like this approach; it gives the impression that the textbook isn't a total waste of time.

[climber159]

My middle school students have the attention span of gnats so it has been helpful to break the class time up into two or three sections. I'll usually teach something out of the textbook at the beginning of the class. The book is mostly worthless (and watch out for the Konglish in print!). Most of the class I spend with group work/activity on the same topic that the week's textbook chapter deals with. The Korean teachers seem to like this approach; it gives the impression that the textbook isn't a total waste of time.

[barashkov1]

Thanks for all the info.
It is actually a set of 7 books which I own and there is something there for people of all levels of English ability.
Are high schools generally more flexible with curriculum than middle schools?

[pkang0202]

The circumstances will be the same. Some high schools will want you to be a tape recorder, others will let you do your own thing.

Form what I've seen and heard about Middle school, they are pretty open about what you teach. Even if you are told to stick to the book in the regular classes, I'm sure you will be given "extra classes" after school that has no curriculum. You can teach whatever you desire in those classes.

The biggest problem with middle school kids is motivation. How are you going to get your kids to pay attention to you long enough to actually learn.

High school kids are even worse. They are studying for college entrance exams. English class is the time to sleep or catch up on other subjects they need to study.