Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SweetBear]

I have the hardest time sometimes with kids who will mumble barely inaudible answers to my questions. When I ask them to repeat the answer, often they make a show of being mad at me, eg. a big sigh or a dirty look. However, sometimes these are the smartest kids in the class.
Any advice?
Sb

[katydid]

It sounds to me that they may just be shy. You'e going to have to walk a fine line here, to get them to repeat themseves while not feeling self-conscious or discouraged. It depends on their age. I had a very young student (about 6 years old) once in a class full of 9 year olds. Of course she had o practice speaking, so what I would do sometimes is set something up so the older kids were doing their work, and then work literally closely with the 6 year old, so even though she was speaking softly, I could hear her and then give her a lot of praise when she finished.
A few months after I left that hagwan, she grew out of that phase, and into the Little Miss Chatterbox phase, so give it some time.
With the older students, I don't think you need to give them such one on one treatment, but just try not to embarrass them if you can help it, as some will be embarrassed if you just look at them, and provide a safe environment for everyone to make mistakes.

[jpal75]

I find this works for me
Early Primary Kids: Kindy to Gr 2 (5 to 7) you shouldn't expect them to speak out too much. Repeating after you would be great. Practice with a game of "soft voice" and "loud voice" so they can tell the difference.
For upper elementary; Gr 3 to high school. You should have a rule in your class that it's mandatory to speak out at least a sentence. If you haven't got this rule established then start by making each kid repeat the word/sentence you want to hear. If they continue to mumble, and I admit this method is a tad cruel, harp on them.
If you know a lit bit of Korean it'll be good then to explain why you're doing this - or else ask your Korean colleague to help you by writing out the instructions for you in Korean then write this on the board.

[rapier]

Its almost as bad as the kids who speak to fast, slurring and mispronouncing the words in an effort to impress you. You tell them to slow down and then of course they go verrry slow..
Of course, every child thinks his behavior is highly original..