Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sigmundsmith]

Sorry, this is long.

OK this will be a bit of information and a bit of complaining on my part. I will try and keep it mellow.

I am now involved in a Teacher Training Program for public elementary homeroom Korean teachers. The powers that be arranged 3 nights of classes (2 hours each). So 3 areas for teaching, grammar, conversation and English teaching methods.

As usual, it's sometimes like getting blood out of a stone trying to have them speak and contribute during the class but am being persistant and positive and supportive.

Now after 6 weeks, (the program goes for 13 weeks) some have started to drop a few comments. Eg. we want to play games at the beginning of each class, the ice breaker takes too long, we don't like grammar , we like conversation but don't know what to say (tell us what to say ) the list can go on.

I will do what I am told (what to teach) so they must study some grammar (but I still try to incorporate conversation), ice breakers can be good if they talk (if they don't, continue onto the lesson), play games before class (they are not fringin children), conversation; have a topic, dialogs, vocabulary, new expressions that we practice and they still want us to tell them what to say? come on.

Sometimes I just want to scream at these people.

Also I chose a lesson that I teach children from the cirriculum and teach it to them (give them the lesson plan) as if they are the students (children) and then ask them to choose a lesson to teach the following week (in pairs) for 5 mins. Areas to cover 1. New vocabulary 2. Dialog to practice 3. Simple Game. Wow! that is so difficult for them.

I give them examples of vocabulary and dialog and games to play for each lesson to help them prepare. Still too hard.

It seems like these people don't want to be challenged. I know most were told that they must attend so they don't really want to be there. I explain that the government (in the near future) wants more Koreans to teach English in the public school classroom (less Native English teachers) so it is my job to train them and help them and show what they can do.

They still complain. It's too hard. Can you do it for us?

Their methods of education - English and what not - has not produced the desired effects for so long. I am not going to follow the same path. I want them to think in the classroom, I don't want them to be shy, I tell them I love mistakes, mistakes are good, please make mistakes, I can help you if you make mistakes.

Am I approaching this all the wrong way? Should I just follow the same path that has been used so often in the past? Or should I just make it easier for them so they don't have any pressure put on them?

[Big Mac]

It sounds like you're trying your best with them.

I am also teaching a class for teachers, but it has been going very well. It's only one hour a week and unlike with yours, the teachers choose to be in the class and actually pay 10,000 Won a month each to be there.

I'm using a text book that I picked up at the Kyobo Bookstore in Seoul to teach them with. It's called Interchange, Third Edition. There is an intro and then a level one and two book. I started them on the intro book because their English sucks right now.

[Smee]

I was required to do workshops with elementary school homeroom teachers, too, but since none of them showed up I never did more than one or two classes. They were brutal. Now I'm doing workshops with Korean English teachers who are equally unmotivated to actually use English. Very frustrating.

Something you might try to do is work on stuff you use in your regular classrooms. I mean, do the same themes as in the elementary school book, and photocopy pages out of the teachers' guide, and hit the grammar and topics in there (but just make it more difficult/interesting) for the teachers. Since the homeroom teachers will have to teach this stuff on their own, they need to not only know the themes covered but also know the Classroom English necessary to convey these ideas in English.

[cruisemonkey]

I tried it with carefully planned lessons (no guidance) and the experience was truly 'painful'. Eliciting even a one-word answer was more difficult than drawing Excalibur from the stone (I'm not Arthur).

I threw the lessons away, went to class with absolutely no plans and just started to talk to them. They started asking questions and with my answers/explanations one thing would lead to another - totally 'free form', and kind of fun!

[antoniothegreat]

Isn't it amazing, that teachers, of all people, would be such horrible students?

[cdninkorea]

[Michelle]

A few things,

Be sure the material is not too difficult for all for example with a basic test, especially as levels in the class may vary. This can be a pain. I have noted that the more advanced ones can sometimes adopt a helper role with the others if the material is easier they might not mind.

They may be adopting this stance in a futile effort to divert from the text book.

Many teachers have an 'Icebreaker' or "warm up' (NOT a game) to start the class off with. It seems they might be looking for something like this to ease into the lesson. Try to find out if the attitude is laziness or not. Sometimes lower levels need to be fed basic dialogues on a silver platter and then practice them. At first they may not have enough exposure to make anything up. Jazz english and a few other books have examples of natural dialogues. I wish I could say these were easy to find online, but so far I have had no real luck. Can they answer questions in full sentences on paper? If not both the questions and answers are needed for the time being.

If the material is set by the government then they may need to go to someone higher up regarding a change of materials.

It sucks since you sound like you are doing everything in your power and they are just being lazy.

Since they act like kids and they want a 'game' the game can be at the end and can be eliminated if you deem they don't work hard.

If they ask about a game at the beginning say you have an icebreaker and you never let elementary children have a game first.

As for helping all of them, tell them they are adults and introduce the concept of pair work. There is not enough time or inclination for you to do it for them all. The beauty of this is, if they do their partners work they may as well be doing their own and two heads are better then one.

You might have to work with one student who may not have a partner but expect some others to have questions.

[sigmundsmith]

We have 3 classes on the same night (3 NT's). before we started we did an evaluation test so we could split them into levels that were appropriate. And of course they complained about doing the test - it was reading comprehension, writing (answering questions), and talking 1 on 1 with NT.

We had to find the material for teaching - no help from the higher ups but have come to expect that in Korea. The text book is middle to intermediate specifically for teaching Korean students. Higher level finds it easy so we do the book faster and then we have supplementary material which is more difficult for them.

For the lower levels, the text book and conversation material all provide vocabulary, dialogs and new expressions to use and give examples of how to use them. We practice saying them and make sure they understand the meaning. I give examples of when you can use these expressions and then we get into discussion - well, they don't really discuss. It's like pushing a bus up a hill sometimes.

I think the topics for both conversation and text book are relevant to them and covers various topics and issues related to Korea.

As my friend said: Koreans think they can learn via osmosus (spl?) Put a NT in the class and I will certainly speak better English. I told them I can't make you speak better English, I can help you and encourage you to speak. I can give you ideas to spark discussions.

Regarding games, they are not children. When I did my Korean language course, we never got to play games or have fun etc. We actually had to sit down bum up and practice and study.


It's not just this group but also have the same problem in the past with adults. But it is difficult because of the way they have been taught in the past that has been so wrong for productive education. I encourage them to think but they haven't be taught how to do that.

The problem is with Korea/Koreans in general is they believe across the board that if education is not fun we don't learn anything. But what they really don't realise is that they actually have to work hard to learn new things.

Half way through the course now. I will continue to do what I am told, therefore teach what I am teaching and how they teach. If they feel that haven't learnt anything after the 13 week course I don't know what I could say accept I tried my best.

[Fishead soup]

I used to teach elementary school teachers . They're the hardest to teach. Here are a few things that I found work.

Some of them will want a program geared towards improving their speaking ability. Some will want tidbits on how they can better teach their students. Some would prefer that you suggested climbing a mountain and drinking Dong Dong ju. The only way to find out is Ask. They won't tell you. They expect you to be able to read their minds.

True Stories in the News- Is a reading based textbook. It deals with unusual stories. The way I teach it various according to the level of the teachers.

Low level- I'll teach the way it's ment to be taught.

higher level- I give each teacher a copy of a different story and have them read them and then walk around the room and re-tell the stories.

Speed Quiz- I have two ways of doing this
First way- break the class into two teams have one teacher from each team come to the front. Instruct them to face their teams write a word on the blackboard. Have their teamates elicit clues as to what the word is first team to get it right gets the point.

Second way- Write a list of ten words in a catagory on a cue card. Have one teacher come to front give them approximately three minutes help their classmates guess the words without using Korean or using the words.

Depending on the level of your elementary school teachers some can do very basic discussions. However I would do this sparingly as this is a hit or miss option. If you decide to do this plan a quick back up plan.

Overall keep it fun keep it light.

[branchsnapper]

I've taught them a few times and I think that teachers have a big problem being students. You have to show them lots of respect, and respect their laziness in particular.

[maingman]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.youtubeenglish.blogspot.com/

[SeoulMan6]

I too have teacher training experience with Korean elementary school teachers. I loved it!

Here are a few comments that I hope can help:

* They work with kids all day and then have to go to to a two-hour class at night. That's brutal. So no matter how motivated they might be, they're never going to have a lot of energy. Put yourself in their shoes.
So I'd try to keep the class light and fun.

* Elementary school teachers are, by nature, more animated, more fun-loving, and sillier than most other adults. That's why (and maybe because) they work with children. So they like games and more animated, active classes. And there is nothing wrong with games! Games are motivating and give students chances to use the language in a low-anxiety environment, whether they are kids or adults. I'm not talking about time-wasting games, but about warm-up games to ease into the class or about games that allow them to use the target language. Games are doubly good if they can use them in their own classrooms when they teach English.

* Re: teaching practice. I think this is a good idea, but they may have no clue what to do. They are not (yet) language teachers, they are homeroom teachers - very different. Make sure you give them some simple tips and guidelines. Try explaining the PPP sequence (Practice, Presentation, Production).

* A nice mix of goals and activities would be good: a little grammar, some vocabulary, some discussion topics, games, etc. But keep it all relevant and integrated to your topic.

* Again, just relax and understand that these folks are just plain tired after a long day. Don't try to push them too hard or they will just sit and be completely passive.

Good luck, don't give up, and FIGHTING!

[ddeubel]

[Privateer]

[branchsnapper]

Koreans seem to believe that if education IS fun they don't learn anything, except in English class, where the opposite magically applies.

I agree that teachers like to play games. I don't agree with giving them goals unless the goal is to help them slack off. That is the one they have in mind, 95% of 'em anyway.

They can be nice people though.