Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sulperman]

I am no expert, but it seems a little odd to me to have students read a 15 line passage in English, then fill out a sheet on which the question are in Korean and the students are meant to answer in Korean.

Is this ever a good idea? I mean, should they really be reading a passage (which is often quite complicated) if they can't even be expected to answer simple questions about it in English, like "where did Min-Su go yesterday?"

Am I missing something? Is there some purpose for this?

[blackjack]

tests their comprehension, not sure they learn anything. It's not different from being able to understand what someone is saying but not be able to form a reply

[tenchu77491]

The moment you ask them a question in English, they will scan the reading and copy/paste the 'answer' because it looks similar to the question. Basically works 80% of the time, but looks incredibly odd. Not to mention every single answer in the class will be the same copy/pasted answer.

Maybe asking in Korean can avoid that a bit.

[Fishead soup]

Makes our job harder. I plan Task based Comunicative activities and they do them in Korean . The habit is hard to break when it's encouraged by the KET.

[Chambertin]

I'm guessing that not many of you have learned a foreign language, or remember the process if you did.

I did hear a it tests their comprehension, and to that I give credit. Copy and paste learning isn�t learning, it is regurgitation. If you can digest something then it comes out as poo, not what went in the body, save corn and peanuts.

Early learners will pickup more if you can convert it back to what they are familiar with and discuss specifics. All be it that kind of learning is harder for us to deal with as a teacher it is the process of digestion of the language.

Better to understand than to just place the piece in the way that makes teacher smile.

On a side note, activities like this can really help you improve your Korean, if you care to. Check words and check simple things like numbers, days, months, classroom objects in Korean. Class time is I speak Korean you speak English.

They talk more and you both learn in a manner that sticks, because of mistakes. When you make mistakes too they become much less embarrassed about theirs. However when you mess up you have to be quick on the control button, as the younguns are still in the hippie phase and take it way too far.