Korean Job Discussion Forums

[asams]

So my head teacher asked me to help her with creating new curriculum geared toward teaching children how to debate. This is for the "higher" level students, but they're still elementary age and from what I've seen aren't as advanced as some other kids I've encountered their age.

I have a few ideas, but I want to hear some of your ideas or maybe something that has worked for you if you've taught debating before.

Also, what are some Korean issues that we could tackle? (this should get some good replies)

[karri]

I taught debates to adults and high school kids.

Make them choose the topic. They will be more interested in it. Things like wearing uniforms to school and being forced to study English went down well with the high school students.

Doing formal debates was difficult for my students. My adults (all advanced level) said they weren't comfortable debating because it's just not done in Korea. I still made them do it and they enjoyed it in the end. Just something to consider when you introduce the topic to the students.

[asams]

thanks. i think elementary is a good age to teach debating because in my experience they're more active, but i wonder what kind of topics they can come up with. guess i'll ask them about music and stuff and see what they think.

[PRagic]

Your head teacher wants help? Great! So when they come up with some ideas, help them. There is no reason for you, especially if you don't have a background in childhood education, to blaze the path.

Next time you see the head teacher, ask what they've come up with so far, and say that you're waiting to help out.

[asams]

I've only been here for 2 weeks, I'm not trying to piss them off just yet. But trust me, I do plan to use this to my advantage (meaning a pay raise)

[PRagic]

Please don't make the mistake of thinking that processes work the same here as they do back home. If you do the work for them now, they'll ask for more later. It will happen.

If you bring it up when asking for a raise, you will be made to feel greedy, not to feel like a respected, contributing member of 'the team'. In fact, odds are the head teacher will garner most, if not all, of the credit for whatever work you do anyway.

I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic, and have been here about 16 years. Other posters might back me up.

It's your call. If it's not too much work, you might want to give it shot if, as I wrote before, you have a background in that type of work. However, I highly doubt this contribution will enter into any consideration for a raise later on.

[ddeubel]

[Dodgy Al]

I had a fun discussion class in my last job, which I developed after the director requested a 'free-talking class'. There were only 5 students, and their level was somewhere between intermediate and advanced, aged between 9-14.

It was structured as follows:

The first week would be an introduction to a report. We would go through it as a class, identifying difficgult words /concepts. Homework would be to find out more about the topic, via the internet, etc.

The second week would be a formal discussion / debate (depending on the material). One student would act as the chairperson, deciding who would speak, asking questions to other students, and picking apart peoples' opinions. Some students relished this role, others feared it - but it always produced a lot of stt. I would sit and observe / take notes. If there was time I would give them feedback at the end, or wait till the following week. Homework would be to write up a report.

The third week students would present their report to the group. The other students would listen, take notes, and give each other feedback.

This class worked really well most of the time, and turned into a very successful program. Until the hogwan closed down unexpectedly. Which was a bummer.


I have some worksheets that accompanied the program. If you want them whiz me a pm.