Korean Job Discussion Forums

kentucker4 · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Georgia

I despise my adult class. It is my tenth class of the day, so I always have very little to give to it and the levels of the students vary greatly...some can speak good...and one can't even speak as good as my third graders. I print out articles for pronounciation and listening, but they always complain about how difficult they are. Then the last ten minutes...we just have VERY awkward conversation about nothing. I swear...I feel like drinking three bottles of soju after that class every night because it leaves me with such a bad feeling. I have even tried debates and TEOFL questions to ask each other....but they always act like things are too difficult...and it's always an awkward experience. Any advice?

NightSky · Joined: 19 Apr 2005

let's take this opportunity to bitch about our adult classes because mine were assholes tonight. They have the gall to say that they shouldn't have to answer a question because I've asked it of them before. I went off on one tonight and told him that I didn't damn well care if he had said it before, it's not like his english can get worse by having to do the same exercise over again. he said "ok, I'm sorry," but it didn't feel very sincere. Then another guy complained because he had to work with a younger student. He was literally leaning away from him as if the younger guy was going to give him a disease.

they think they are going to learn English if they just sit on their asses and listen to me prattle on all night.

PGF · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

i hate it when my adults complain because they aren't getting better at English after four years of classes. I ask them if they practice outside of our class and the answer is always "no". I give them "homework" reading the Joong Ang daily so we can have a discussion on some topic other than those in our business english book, but they never do it..... I suggest the local free language exchange, but they never show up..... what's a guy to do?

I have them in the morning.... not a good way to start a long day of teaching....BUT- it pays the bills. so, I'll plug on.

kentucker4 · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Location: Georgia

I have a question. How the hell do you actually teach an adult class? Mine also never practice outside of the classroom. Does anything you do really help?

One of my guys always shows up 15 minutes late and then tries to direct the class instead of me and then complains about it as the others nod their heads to agree. He also answers phone calls in my class...though apologized once. I really do hate that class.

PGF · Joined: 27 Nov 2006

well, I teach at a company that is owned by a US company. So, there is a bit of motivation for these guys. The parent company sends reps three times a year and these guys had better be able to communicate with them or else. Plus, they sell to a lot of European companies. The CEO guy makes sure the slower adults pay attention and participate.

Diversion conversations are your friend. The best way for these guys to learn english-e is to USE English-e. I try my hardest to get them to explain stuff to me- about their company, their country, their failies, their culture..... reading conversation scripts from a book don't do squat for adults, IMO, so I try to force them to explain things in English.

A few of my guys have improved a bit in the three months I've had them.... In general, adults are slower learners than kids and they are more impatient. That's a nasty combo.....

In the end, the ones who want to learn will learn and do things outside of class to speed up the process while the ones who do not want to learn, won't.

Of all the adults and uni kids I teach, the only ones who learn and improve are the ones who do a LOT of self study. The others are just fattening my wallet and taking money out of their kids' mouths; which is ok by me.