Korean Job Discussion Forums

[retrogress]

I was replying to someone's question about elementary school materials and I thought I should put this out where everyone can see it.

I spent a semester trying my best to follow the my elementary students book while the teachers told me "make it fun, make it fun". I really wasn't feelign like spending all of my time making a bunch of materials (like a good teacher would) because my school wouldn't even buy me crayons and scissors for the students. So I was feeling bitter: if you don't give a shit, why should I. Most of you out there understand.

Then we got a Korean teacher at the beginning of my second semester. She understood the scene much better than I and immediately went around looking for teaching materials and resources. One afternoon students started pouring into our little office with all of these transparent plastic cases. There were so many that we had to move them into the English room, through out a bunch of stuff to make room, etc.

When I started opening these cases I discovered a god-send. For EACH unit in there English book there were 2-4 cases depending on the amount of material. EVerything from vocab and picture cards to puppets to play money, dice, small mini white boards, paper picture dice, cards and cards and more cards. You name it, it's in there.

So, basically I STOPPED being Mr. Academic teaching and started playing games. My student's interest in English increased, they began to like coming to class, they LEARNED faster than with any of my handouts or lame activities/ role playing.

Now I don't even plan a lesson. I just open the cases up, look over the material and think of how I can use it to make a good lesson. If I don't know hwo to use it, my co-teacher looks in the teacher's book and read the Korean explaination.

We even pulled out the material that we used most (like the play money) so that we could use it in other lessons.

Now, I'm moving to another school and the only thing I"m really worried about is whether they will have all of this great stuff too.

If your school has it, find it and use it. If they don't have it, your out of luck because the company isn't making any more until the new text books are published.

[KYC]

My main school has them..off course I didn't find them until the 6 months later. I found them when the school decided to do spring cleaning.

At my second school, there's no lesson plans but they get all these great materials that it's almost crazy. They have thigns that my main school doesn't have. They even have a game book that goes with all the student's text book. The name of the games are in English yet the instructions are all Korean. I could ask someone to translate but I still would rather to use my games and activities

I have the same concerns. I have a lot of specialized classes now and I have made bundles of materials, worksheets, etc. I am almost tempted to take them all with me.