Korean Job Discussion Forums

[highdials5]

Hi,

I've been having some problems at work, mainly with the new journalism class they've invented for this semester. It's a double lesson (as in 2 x 70 minutes) and I only have three students, two of whom are pretty quiet.

Anyway, they've told me they want the second half of the lesson to be like an "Editor's meeting" and so it must be complete discussion the whole time. I've been finding this very difficult, and as such I introduced some other elements to break up the lesson, e.g. small powerpoint presentations of the students' articles, quick writing tasks etc.

I got called into a meeting on wednesday evening and was basically told in no uncertain terms that it should just be discussion. I stated the problems I was having but was told to "force them to speak" and in addition, someone will be coming to observe my journalism class this coming wednesday...

Any ideas? I want it to go well, but a small part of me hopes it goes wrong as then it will prove my point...

Thanks!

[Straphanger]

[John_ESL_White]

There are different reasons a student will be quiet in a class. The reasons vary with age level. What age are your quiet kids and is the material too hard?

How long have you had this class (these students)?

Give a few more details and maybe one of the few M.Eds that read this board will help you out. Or, you might get lucky and get an online TEFL certificate holder to give you some tips.

I've found that middle school kids are pretty shy in large classes.

[D.D.]

Students usually talk in small groups but not in front of the class.

If they don't talk in small groups then you need to find out why.

If they don't talk much I use short clips on youtube to stimulate conversation.

Using Korean topics will get more conversation.

Last year I had my middle school kids bring the material for the lessons.

I would say next class show me a clip of song they like.
Ask them to show me the Korean show they watch the most.

It is about bridging the gap between you and them.

Some teachers talk and deliver but I always thought it was about getting the words and knowledge out of them.

Find topics they like and they will talk.

[ddeubel]

Part of what I find keeps students from "conversing" is that they aren't taught nor given guidance in the "questioning" part of conversation.

When we have a discussion, questions form the engine of how the conversation is moved along. Even grunts and nods are infact, interjections with information. Seems they aren't good at this pragmatical aspect of the English language.

I'd suggest making it a rule that with every statement, the other students must ask a question. And so on.... For prompts list all the question starters on the board or give them a handout Who / what / Did... / Have ... etc... Even go so far as to teach them how to nod and say , uh-huh, uh-huh (or try the song - that's the way....)

Prompt cards with question starters are also great or just with selected topics. A student turns one up and the others must ask questions on that topic. I have on EFL Classroom a "Tell Us About" set of dozens of topic cards, along the same lines...

I second the need to bring up Korean topics to get them more comfortable with speaking (there is more "apriori" or context.

In any case, if you want to get them talking/discussing, you'll have to be the one doing the prompting, like a conductor, at first. And also the one keeping things light, cheerful, animated. The atmosphere is key. I know this might not be appropriate, but consider bringing in a prop or two. Or give them a fictional role. This is an effective way for them to rid their ego and fears.....

[harlowethrombey]

structure is the key.

give each student a card with some leading questions.

My favorite thing to write about is______________
I really enjoy reading ___________
etc.

have the other students ask follow-up questions to try and keep the conversation going. If they dont naturally offer their own opinions have them vote on if they like the same things.

"Ok, Kim really likes to read Cracked magazine, do you guys like that magazine, too?"
"Lee, you dont? Why not?"

Rotate the cards around to each student.

Ideally, in a discussion class, even in ESL, you are occaisionally modeling, but mostly just asking leading questions to keep the students talking. They should be doing most of the talking.

Anyway, that's just how I do it sometimes.

Good luck with your observation.

[highdials5]

Thanks for the suggestions.

These students are advanced and 14-15 years old if that makes any difference. It wouldn't be a problem filling the time if it was a single lesson and/or there were more students...but teaching three students about journalism for 2.5 hours is stretching it a bit in my view.

Still, I'll see how it goes on wednesday...although I fear they'll be even less talkative with a Korean head teacher sat at the back.

[Xuanzang]