Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Milkman Dan]

I know that most of you Public School teachers have to do these types of classes. And since I'm fresh off the plane I don't really have any teaching experience, let alone the ability to handle all of the different skill levels of the general teachers class. I don't even know what the purpose of the class is supposed to be!

I'm also curious as to what type of class to do for the English teachers. I'm leaning toward a current events conversation class, but my co-teacher said that that wouldn't be a good idea, since she thinks that the teachers will eventually become bored with the format and not come.

[fromtheuk]

www.breakingnewsenglish.com

There are enough different activities related to each article to make it interesting.

If the teachers complain it is not interesting, look thoughtful, but inwardly be grateful. They may cancel them and you won't have to teach them anymore.

[BS.Dos.]

Just converse as best you can. They'll probably just want to sit around and chat. Try and get some idea of the things they want to talk about like movies, travel, food, places worth visiting in Korea etc.

At around the 1-month mark, once they start to look like they're enjoying themselves, start speaking faster and droning on and on about stuff they wont understand. Also, try not to actually let them speak during the lesson and always be looking to interupt and correct them at every opportunity so that their confidence is slowly eroded. With any luck, they'll soon lose interest and you'll be back at your desk napping in the afternoons like the rest of us.

[BS.Dos.]

Double Entry.

Wouldn't be the first time.

[BS.Dos.]

This site...

[BS.Dos.]

...blows

[Rusty Shackleford]

The few I've done in the year I've been here have been a complete joke. Usually the teachers don't want to lose face in front of each other so they probably won't speak that much anyway. Added to that, me being 23 and the K teachers being 40s up, I feel like a dick trying to teach them. It seems inappropraite somehow. So it usually gets "too busy" to do English classes.

Unfortunately the POE is cracking down this year so I have to do 3 at 2 different schools. I know for one I will probably get away with doing a lesson plan and forging the attendance sheet. But I can see the other 2 being me sitting making forced small talk with 2 50 year old women with whom I have nothing in common for 90 mins a week (I work at 2 schools).

Anyways, to answer your question I'm just going to show videos. I don't really know what mind you, they aren't curious about anything eg documentaries and I'll be fuct if I'm going to play Friends or anything similar.God I hope it gets "too busy". Anyways, rant over. Good luck.

[Horangi Munshin]

This week I'll get the teachers to play Go Fish.

Daily Activities Go Fish.

I downloaded, printed and laminated two sets of the same cards. The card show basic things people do each day.

They have to ask each other questions, the funnier the better.

"Do you take a shower everyday?" If the person/team asked has the card the card they hand it over and must say yes. If they don't have the card they must say no...

[Smee]

The least favorite part of my week by far. At first I tried talky stuff, but it just became me answering my own questions, or my coteacher filling in the awkward silence.

So now I open up by introducing a couple idioms---usually teachers will ask me what something means---and then I'll introduce whatever theme I pick. I find a newspaper article about something going on in Korea (as un-controversial as I can get), and get ask them a couple general questions about the topic. Then the teachers will take turns reading, we'll clarify any confusing vocabulary, and then maybe do a review of the article: what they liked, didn't like, how they feel about the topic, etc.

Doing "Dear Abby" also works pretty well. Don't give them the response, but have the teachers make up their own. The letters themselves usually have tricky idioms or vocabulary, so there's that component, too. The Korea Times website has the letters with Korean translations if you'd need that.

But man, the "I'm busy" crap gets on my nerves. I'm busy too, but I still, like, show up to work.

[gregoriomills]

Uuuuhhhgg! I hate these classes. At first you think, "Oh yes, at least for these classes I won't have to battle a bunch of idiot 15 year olds for control of the class...." But they end up being even WORSE!! I guess it would help if I spoke a little Korean.

I would suggest the "odd news" section of yahoo.com. Always some interesting stories that they find entertaining.. Example "Man saws own hand off to claim insurance money" etc etc.
I can also say with experience, don't use the story called "Man busted for drugs while trying to order pot at a Taco Bell drive thru," because they won't think it's funny.