Korean Job Discussion Forums

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

I work at a technical high school so the vast majority of the students are at a very low level of spoken English. However, yesterday we got a student in who had lived in the US for the past five years and speaks near perfect English. The other students in class were amazed at her ability, and also so intimidated that they hardly spoke a word the entire class--waiting for her to give the answer to any questions I would put to the class. She was a sport, though, since she didn't try to dominate the lesson or anything. Oh, and my coteacher is a bit embarrassed because her English is better than his!

I told her after class yesterday that she probably wasn't going to learn anything in my class because I just can't tailor the lessons for one student. Today I feel bad about that and was hoping I could find some advice from some folks who have been in a similar situation. I've considered finding worksheets online that are on the same topic we're covering in class. I don't want to have her complete those in class, though, because I feel like that would further alienate her from the other students.

I really want to avoid stigmatizing her (even if for positive reasons) and am struggling with ways to have her be treated (and feel) like a "normal" student / part of the class.

Any tips?

cruisemonkey · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:30 pm Post subject:

That's easy - you've just inherited a new co-teacher/assistant. Cool

I've had a similar situation and there were no problems. She IS different and (hopefully) the other students will not hold it against her.

KYC · Joined: 11 May 2006

why is she in a low level tech high school then?

In almost every class that I have, there's always one student that's the brightest of the group. You're right, it's hard to tailor the lessons for that one student. I just usually ask said student to help me with the other students.

TexasPete · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Koreatown

Create insentives for greater class participation. IF say, one third of the clas participates, they don't get homework or something like that. My classes get class stars if i get 1/3 participation in a class and 5 class stars equals one movie or game day. You can also create competitions between classes with some sort of reward going to the best class. You'd be amazed how a class can pull together to try and beat another class. Finally, use the wonderkid to as a special assistant (someone who can explain difficult subjects in the other student's "own" language). Just some ideas...take 'em or leave 'em.

Easter Clark · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Location: Hiding from Yie Eun-woong

jvalmer · Joined: 06 Jun 2003

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 4:17 am Post subject:

I would probably take her aside, and arrange to give her projects to do throughout the term in lieu of coming to class and being bored silly (and intimidating the others into silence).

She wouldn't be receiving an attendance score, which would require the projects to have an increased weight ot her overall grade. Maybe require weekly or bi-weekly meetings to reveiw her progress. Of course, keep her informed via email what pages you have taught in class, so she knows what will be tested, and let her sit in on the exams as usual.

In the end, she gets more out of the projects than she would in the class, and the other students have the chance to speak up without being embarassed in front of their advanced classmate.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Since her English is THAT good, why don't you ask her what she'd like to do. Some students would be fine with staying in class and helping out their classmates, while others would feel uncomfortable doing so. If she doesn't want to help, maybe you (and your co-teacher) could come up with some things she could do while the others are in class.