Korean Job Discussion Forums

[K-in-C]

Here I sit, seat warming, and doing some lesson plans. The principal really wants me to to focus on 'conversation English.' I don't have a problem with that but when I showed my co-teacher my lesson plans she asked me what the students who are not speaking will do. Other than listening, to take note of my suggestions, and preparing a dialogue of their own, I can't think of anything else.

I would really appreciate some helpful suggestions.

Thanks ahead of time.

K

[dean_burrito]

Are you at a public school? Do you have 40 students in your classes? If you can find a way to get them all to participate in class please share.

Anyways you can try going back to basics. Get a small soft ball and throw it to a student. Whoever catches it has to ask or answer a question, or do whatever the task is. Then they can throw the ball to someone else. It makes for a random selection of people and your class won't be dominated by a certain few.

[K-in-C]

[dean_burrito]

Well listening is a skill so that should count as being occupied. You could have one group read a question and randomly throw the ball to another group that must come up with the correct response. It should give everyone incentive to listen especially if there is some sort of game, point system, or reward involved.

[lifeinkorea]

How long are your dialogues? If you break them up and rotate, students will have to pay attention. I know these are middle schoolers, I have had them before. However, the school will see you working with the class this way instead of seeing only one group talking.

If you have a Korean co-teacher, this will help. You focus on one group at a time. They come to the front of the class. Then, the Korean teacher gets another group to start things. They say the first line together. Then you work with one of the students in your group to say that in front of the class. The Korean teacher then gets another group to say the second line. You do the same with another person in your group.

Students who are nervous in front of the class won't feel like they are in front of the class so much if part of the class speaks.

Go over mispronounced words while you do this with the whole class.