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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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 Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:31 am Post subject: Middle School Teaching |
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I am finishing up 1 year at an elementary school. I worked at 2 hagwons before that for almost a year. At the hagwons I taught 2 or 3 middle school classes. So, I am familiar with the beasts, but not in a public school setting.
I recently got two job offers to work at a middle school, and one has already decided on hiring me. I'd like to know from experienced middle school teachers what the curriculum is like at a middle school.
From hagwon teaching, I feel that 1st and 2nd year students are like big elementary school students. You do much of the same material but faster and can give them more of the same basically within the class time.
The 3rd year students I taught were like talking machines, but they were always very tired because they did nothing but study. I would ask them a question, 10 seconds later they would have an answer all programmed, and then spit it out in robotic fashion, then go back to sleep.
Also, I would like to know how middle school teachers handle large classes. All of my 1st year student classes were rowdy, and it reminds me of 1st grade elementary school students  |
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cruisemonkey
Joined: 04 Jul 2005
Location: Hopefully, the same place as my luggage.
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:40 am Post subject: Re: Middle School Teaching |
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| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| I'd like to know from experienced middle school teachers what the curriculum is like at a middle school. |
What curriculum?
As with many things, the expectations of, and what the FT teaches/does is different in every school.
I've finished two contracts and will start a third with my current school in Sept. My school gives me total autonomy. I now see all the grade 1 & 2 classes once a week (no grade 3 classes anymore). The K co-teachers just watch my classes and will translate something if asked.
When I first arrived, like most people, I had a few questions... such as - "What do you expect me to teach?" All the co-teachers said, "Don't worry, we will tell you (then took me to lunch). The next morning, as I was walking to my first class, the co-teacher for that class looked at me and says "So... what will you be teaching?  ...LOL.
Every March, I get a new co-teacher/handler whom, upon first meeting, I just inform as to how things work - it's sweet! |
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Rory_Calhoun27
Joined: 14 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 7:02 am Post subject: |
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| isn't there a curriculum preset for middle school? |
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D.D.
Joined: 29 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Middle School Teaching |
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| cruisemonkey wrote: |
| lifeinkorea wrote: |
| I'd like to know from experienced middle school teachers what the curriculum is like at a middle school. |
What curriculum?
As with many things, the expectations of, and what the FT teaches/does is different in every school.
I've finished two contracts and will start a third with my current school in Sept. My school gives me total autonomy. I now see all the grade 1 & 2 classes once a week (no grade 3 classes anymore). The K co-teachers just watch my classes and will translate something if asked.
When I first arrived, like most people, I had a few questions... such as - "What do you expect me to teach?" All the co-teachers said, "Don't worry, we will tell you (then took me to lunch). The next morning, as I was walking to my first class, the co-teacher for that class looked at me and says "So... what will you be teaching? ...LOL.
Every March, I get a new co-teacher/handler whom, upon first meeting, I just inform as to how things work - it's sweet! |
Sounds like we have the same job. |
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halfmanhalfbiscuit
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Rory_Calhoun27 wrote: |
| isn't there a curriculum preset for middle school? |
You'd think so. But no.
My middle school had mostly real beginner students who were so passive it was like forever pulling teeth. "How are you?" asked times 10 = "I'm fine". Not even the BS "I'm fine thank you and you?" Mine was a specialist boys sports school and the soccer boys, whilst polite to a fault and never once rowdy had zero school expectations.
I felt my job was purely to give some exposure to English plain and simple, not to get any results
Classroom management involved whacking. I wouldn't have got that close to them, I had to keep the windows open in winter. They reeked. |
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Rory_Calhoun27
Joined: 14 Feb 2009
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:35 pm Post subject: |
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My elementary had a lot of passive ones, but at least they interacted a bit with the material.
then there are a few in each high level class who DEMANDED attention, no matter what. You ask a question and the same few hands pop up, in such an aggressive way. And I wouldnt call on him on purpose, to give someone else a chance to offer an answer, to which the coteacher would pipe in with claims of my racism....
I tried to find a way to describe him as an "attention *beep*," but nothing ever came to mind... |
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lifeinkorea
Joined: 24 Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in China
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| My middle school had mostly real beginner students who were so passive it was like forever pulling teeth. |
What years? All 1-3?
| Quote: |
| My elementary had a lot of passive ones, but at least they interacted a bit with the material. |
When I taught second year middle school students at a hagwon in Seoul, I felt like a circus tiger trainer getting students to do their "English tricks" and sit in their seats without disturbing the other students. |
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halfmanhalfbiscuit
Joined: 13 Oct 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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Grades 2 and 3 especially. Grade 1 were a bit more lively but super low level.
My KTs would tell me don't expect too much from the students or I'd go nuts. Least I never played hangman I guess. |
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