Korean Job Discussion Forums

[IncognitoHFX]

I have my first batch of after school lessons starting up tomorrow, and I'm quite sure a lot of others out there are on the same boat. This being my third month teaching in a public high school, its the first time I've encountered this so I'm not too sure what to do.

My co-teacher briefly described it to me, saying that I'm going to be coming in around three hours a day to teach "select" students at the school in groups of 15 or so. I asked him if they were going to be high level, and got the vibe that they'd most likely average on the high side of average (with some way above, and others below).

I'm not too sure as he didn't seem to know himself. I think everyone's in the dark about it except people out of my reach. Here's hoping its a standard situation for most teachers so I can get advice

What is everyone's experience with this? The best and the brightest, or a mixed bag?

Also, I'm not sure how I should run these classes. They told me not to prepare and to focus on conversation, but I'm going to prepare just in case I run into a group of kids barely past their A, B, Cs or a large group of kids who aren't energetic about English.

How do you usually structure these classes? Would debate topics be a good idea? Culture sharing? Essay writing?

[cruisemonkey]

I think your situation is far from standard. In fact I've never heard of someone doing after school classes during vacation... camps yes, but after school classes no.

What have you been doing for the last two weeks? You say you are expected to teach three hours a day. At what time? I assume this is five days a week (Mon. - Fri.). Will it be ongoing when second semester regular classes start? If so, that's insane and you will have a 'burnout' schedule!

Sorry I can't be of any help, but if your co-teacher can't tell you what's going on (no surprises there), how can we?

What ever the case, prepare something (you don't seem to have any time to do so) no matter how minimal.

[IncognitoHFX]

Erm, maybe I'm using the wrong terms. They've been calling it an after school thing but maybe it is a camp. I don't know.

Anyway, I had a week off, and I start tomorrow (Tuesday). I teach from 2:00pm to 4:30, and I'm teaching two small classes of fifteen students or so.

I thought most teachers did these?

I do this for eight weekdays or so then I go back to regular teaching.

(Also, even though I was told by everyone not to come in until Tuesday, my co-worker called me today and asked me where I was. Apparently they started it today and they forgot to tell me the change of plans.)

[cruisemonkey]

Ok... it's a 'spur of the moment' camp!

Is the honeymoon over yet? I love that everone knows 'camp' started today... except for the person who was supposed to teach it. LOL Priceless!

Does your second semester start Aug. 18?

P.S. Those are strange hours for a camp.