Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kaypea]

I teach middle school, and I find that generally, my classes go better when the only bit of fun is playing a jeopardy-type game (high levels) or a completely unrelated "hey-look-at-that" visually interesting video at the end with the other 90% of the classes (our favorite is the one of real people morphing into Simpsons characters).

I am not a very fun personality type. I can be fun or funny, but mostly with a verbal humor that is not appropriate for second language learners.

I find that the classes are most productive when I introduce a lesson with a few PPT slides-- more slides/talking about slides for higher levels, fewer to none with lower levels.

Then, with lower levels, I give them a worksheet which is literally copying parts of the dialogue from the book. This keeps them busy, working in English, and not confused. This is followed by choral and then partner dialogue practice (except with very low levels, because they aren't quite ready for that yet).

For higher levels, we get right into the dialogue practice, and maybe I give them worksheets with further dialogue practice templates. Then, if they're super-keen, we do some sort of brainstorm and structured discussion together. I don't feel like I can trust them to get them to do partner/group discussion practice.

I find the worksheets, while they don't entertain the students, keep them at least somewhat engaged. I can't help but think that I'm supposed to be "fun" or something, but I remember back to my school days... school wasn't really fun. Our foreign language teachers were kind and sort of funny in their way, but their classes were still regular classes with repetitive worksheets and textbooks.

No, I don't test or grade them, but I teach from the school textbook.

I also see my job as not being 100% about being the super-cool and fun waigook auntie (there's that aspect of it too, and I enjoy that the kids can chill with me more than they can with Korean adults)... but also to genuinely help these kids in the best way I can, which is to help them do well on their tests. I think that even supercedes any duty I have to make them become fluent in English conversation.

I know I'm supposed to be a conversation teacher. I've been hired to model natural speech. I guess it's no waste of my assests if I use them to conduct perfectly normal, not very fun, school type language classes.

I suppose it's time for me to get back to planning. I was just struggling, in my mind, for ways to possibly make the next class more fun, without confusing the kids, or without losing classroom control, and... I think there's really no way. But that's fine.

Why am I posting this? Just to let other people know, that maybe it's ok for us to be regular, normal, not particularily fun teachers.

Maybe I'm also fishing for ideas...

(Yes, I have tried getting students to perform dialogues on a "magic stage", and it can be fun, but heck... I get embarrassed and I'm supposed to be encouraging bravery and expression! Should I try it again?)

[mmstyle]

Your style sounds fine to me! Last semester I was always trying to think of ways to make class fun, but it stressed me out, took forever to plan and explain (because my CTs were not interested in knowing how things would work ahead of time) and, with the classes where my CT doesn't do any discipline, it was pandemonium. Not to mention, I can't even get glue, a ruler or thin cardboard style paper at my school without asking, and they usually don't have things I ask for (magnets, a way to laminate my supplies so they don't become ruined, above mention paper for making flashcards, etc).

This semester, I started creating many more of my own worksheets, as I did in my last school. I use a few ppts, and I almost never play a game (played hangman once when the CT suggested it), though I am actually setting up a lesson with a game to use soon. Once I switched to a worksheet based class, they became much more settled and the kids are actually happier because they seem to understand what is expected of them. I do actually spend a lot of time brainstorming alternate ideas that they can plug into dialogues. They choose food that they like for a movie. The choose the clothing they want to wear. High level kids sometimes make me laugh. One student used "why don't you wear you striped reflective silver pajamas? They look shiny on you!"

Also, since the switch, my CTs understand better, and seem more pleased with my classes. I get fewer Korean teachers telling me that I am going to make myself tired and lose my voice.

[blackjack]

I find a problem with worksheets is it becomes a race to finish them, they don't bother reading the question, also you get the better kids finishing it early while the slower kids labour on.

They can make class much easier though

[nomad-ish]

i'm not huge on the games either, but i think some activities and the occasional game are good ideas. the kids may get noisy at times in my class but they soon quiet down (i'm in middle school too). the korean teachers are in charge (for the most part) of teaching grammar, reading, and writing, while we were hired to teach speaking skills and conversation.

[AussieGav]

"(our favorite is the one of real people morphing into Simpsons characters). "

That sounds interesting and a bit of fun. Do you have a link?

Your classes sound ok to me. I dont often use additional activities (except on camps) as I dont get to teach each class very often but I do try to use the (inadequate) text books to the best of my ability by discussing all possible aspects of the subject matter.

[edwardcatflap]

No it's not

Kids need to be engaged to get the most out of their language lessons. that doesn't mean playing games every lesson but they should find the activities interesting and enjoyable. It's common sense that you concentrate more on things you find interesting isn't it? Get some ideas for fun competetive and communicative activities from the internet and start incorporating them in your lessons.

[crabstix]

Your style sounds similar to mine and I was worried about it when i first started teaching public school. I don't play any games either but I have a lot of focussed exercises which I ask the students to do. At first they didnt seem to like it but it's almost become routine for them now. They are actually improving. My coteachers seem to like my teaching style. I use a lot of tech in my class. Video clips, audio files, powerpoints with images and online quizzes. I give points for correct answers which go to their final grade. While it is not super fun, they do what they are supposed to do and it seems to be working. I think my background in learning has influenced the way I teach. Back home teachers didn't play games with me either so quite naturally I teach in a similar way. U can build a learning atmosphere in a classroom gradually. I recommend following a set format for each class. e.g powerpoints for images to stimulate discussion (well short sentences anyway!), a short listening exercise, filling in blanks and a quiz/writing dialogues. The only thing u change is the content for each class. having a predictable format means students follow a set study routine. Sometimes half the job is just getting students to follow classroom insructions! Good luck!

[Goku]

[mmstyle]

[smee18]

There is a definite 'phonocentrism' - valorisation of speech over writing etc. - in contemporary ESL. I work in an elementary school, and some of my most enjoyable classes, both for myself and the kids, involved non-speech focused activities, like writing and drawing. These classes were much less "communicative" than what is usually expected, but the kids were definitely interested and engaged, and learning. In one class we made comics, and I actually had kids asking me about verb tenses ... I was surprised.

p.s. mmstyle ... I love you ; )

[edwardcatflap]

If you read my post again you'll see I wasn't talking about games I was just talking about activities the kids would find engaging or fun. Copying dialogues out of the book and repeating them sounds dull. I agree with your point about competition though and that's why I'd recommend a mixture of activities to suit different learing styles and different stages in the lesson. I'm not sure Middle school kids would respond that well to memorizing vocabulary to classical music however

[Kaypea]

[Kaypea]

This is the link to the video of people morphing into The Simpsons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_btpPAh-Vw

The kids LOVE this! Every class... Maybe I could work it into a lesson, or at least a mini-lesson after the textbook stuff?

I also use The Simpsons as characters to "illustrate" dialogue practice, and it wakes the kids up! It's ok to be a little fun.

Smee-- I really like the idea of kids writing comics. I think doing the dialogues as comic strips, then as "dialogues", would make them seem a lot more interesting and natural.

[mmstyle]

[detourne_me]