Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

Looks like there is a large possibility that I'll be teaching in a High School come June. I've always wanted to teach High School, now I'll be teaching it. I just want to know what I'm in for and what is common.

First, what are some good preparation resources?

Do High Schools generally have a good curriculum in place for foreign teachers? What is the curriculum like?

What is the average High School students English speaking ability? Will I be teaching basic or advanced grammar? "See Spot Run" or "1984"?

What kind of homework will I be assigning?

Thanks for all the help.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

First, it will all depend on what kind of high school you're at. If you're teaching at a technical HS you may have some students who are only semi-literate in Hanguel and can't pronunce monosyllabic English words. If you're at a foreign language HS you may have students with much better communication abilities than the average KET.

In any event, there likely won't be much in the way of foreign teacher resources and the KETs will most likely have no idea what you can and cannot do. It will likely all be up to you to find materials and prepare lessons.

[IncognitoHFX]

That's not all that surprising. I'm expected to be there for eight hours a day, half of which are teaching time. Do I prep for one class and teach it over and over again? Or am I looking at prepping four different classes a day?

I've heard of many cases of the former, and I'm going to be teaching in a moderately large public school as the sole foreign teacher, but I've only ever heard of people working at Elementary schools so I'm not sure whether it's the same for High Schools.

In any case, that's something I can ask them. I'm just an impatient person.

[Easter Clark]

You most likely will not be assigning any homework. In my experience the high school students here are as mentally and socially developed as middle school kids back home. Pray that they don't make you teach from the English book they use in their Korean teachers' classes. You'll probably have to create a curriculum from scratch. Remember that their speaking is going to be a lot lower than their reading. Keep your classes light and simple. Remember that "the best teachers are those who struggle to be understood by the dullest of faculties" (I forgot who said that)!

Value your relationship with your coteachers above all else. If they like you and respect you, they will try to help your classes be successful. First impressions are of utmost importance! Ask for their input when planning and ther assessment of the class after it's over. Try eating in the cafeteria and go to all of the social events the school has. Don't isolate yourself in your classroom--make a genuine efort to fit in. If you're a smoker then take your smoke breaks when your coworkers do. Since you're a bit young (you'll likely be the youngest teacher in the whole school) you may have to work a bit harder to gain respect, but it can be done. This means giving a little more than you get in the beginning, but it will pay off.

Be prepared for more choral drilling than you're used to at hagwon. I recommend trying to talk to your students outside of class when possible. This doesn't mean trying to be their friend! Go a little easy on the class leader ("bahn-jahng"). Be really tough the first couple of weeks then you can gradually loosen the reigns (or chains, or what-have-you). Begin and end your classes the same way Korean teachers do--have the class leader call the class to attention before you start teaching; and have him/her do it again at the end of class. You may have to teach them the routine in English the first day or have your coteacher do it. Oh, save the pop songs, games, and movie lessons for the post-exam period when the kids won't be bothered to learn anyway.

As YBS said, it all depends on the type of high school you'll be teaching at. Tech high schools mean more discipline issues and lower levels of English, where Academic / FLHS mean better students but heavier prep time.

I try to plan two-hour classes so there's a thread going through the semester. I plan three lessons / week.

That's all I can think of for now, but will be happy to answer any other questions!

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[the foystein]

It might be worth your time to check the some web sites in the USA for ESL curriculum. Each state has one. It will provide you with detailed learning objectives. It helps to have concrete goals for the students.