Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paladin Brewer]

I don't know if this is a silly question or not. I will be coming to Korea in February, and it will be my first time there, and my first time teaching. I have a degree in Information Technology, not teaching or English. I do, however, still want to actually do a good job. My main concern is, what to teach? I assume you obviously have to come up with your own lesson plans, but what really concerns me, is how do you know what the students already know, or need to learn? How do you know where to even begin with them, I suppose that is my question.

[frankly speaking]

Go to the library and get some books on second language acquisition, child development or other teacher guides. I don't see how someone without any knowledge at all can make a lesson plan. I would stick with what they give you, if you are fortunate to have a good academic director you will be ok.

How languages are learned by Nina Spada

Teaching Through Principles, I think it is by Brown.

There are many more good ones, I just am not near my home library so I can't check the other books that I think are good for EFL.

Hope this helps a little.

You have more than a month, do some reading it will help. Also if you can go to a local school and talk with one of the teachers and shadow their class. Often teachers are willing to help people starting to teach.

[kabrams]

[Mr. Pink]

[Privateer]

As a new teacher I always found there wasn't nearly enough in the books to keep you going, and no one teaches you how to use them or supplement them properly. So the OP is right to ask.

Do you have time to do a CELTA? Or another reputable TEFL certificate course? They can be really helpful. Also, what age group will you be teaching?

[ddeubel]

You know, I remember very well my own moment "there". 18 years ago, sitting alone in the World's Biggest Bookstore, deciding what to stuff in my pack (this was before the internet or even computers really...).

The thing I found most useful was - putting myself in their shoes. Thinking of my own struggles with a language. What did I really enjoy learning? What did I really want to know (mostly functional stuff - tell the time, date a girl, sound cool, talk sports / shop - but that might be different for your students.). However, the best teachers can "transport" themselves into their student's shoes.

I'll also second Pink's advice - connect with students. Having "rapport" is the numero uno requisite for being a "success". People respond to people.

As for books - don't go get those tombs of knowledge (like Brown, Harmer etc....) at the beginning. They will just confuse and obfuscate. Rather, get something like 5 min activities (Penny Ur) or Anything by Jill Hadfield (communication games, Oxford Speaking basics). Books that let you see it from the "war room". This ain't Washington. Lots on our site too, especially the Teaching TEFL training page -videos, links etc...

Cheers, good luck,

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

[frankly speaking]

I think that HM Brown's books are a good resource for new teachers. He actually shows comparisons between teachers and their different approaches to the same material. There are a lot of useful basic things like omitting certain parts of material and how to introduce topics. Many new teachers will teach (read/lecture)straight from a book instead of selecting certain key things and creating different activities on how to use the material.

I think the more common mistake for new teachers of EFL is to go out and get huge grammar books. They tend to think that being able to explain grammar rules to great length will help them more.

I do agree that books that discuss to much theory about linguistics might be confusing at first, but he does have almost 2 months before coming over. One can learn a lot in 2 months.

Yes, Pink is 100% correct when you actually get to Korea, try and relate to your students. Don't worry now about what levels they are. You will find out when you are with them.

If you live near a larger city or town that has immigrant resettlement programs, you might be able to volunteer or at least sit in on a few ESL classes. Places like CYO, YMCA, Boys and Girls club, these places often have ESL classes and are always looking for volunteers. If you are in the US, you might want to sign up at a few schools as a substitute. Nothing prepares you for a Korean class than substitute teaching. If you can handle a group of kids as a sub, you can easily transfer that to Korea.

[andrewchon]

Having an IT degree, you'll know how dumb and robotic computers are and
when you get down to the nitty-gritty of softwares,
just how much instruction is required.
An absolute beginner can be like that in ESL, both the teacher and students.

So, tell us a bit more.
Who will you teach? Elem/Middle/High?
Where will you teach? city/rural
Feb start sounds like a public school. Is there a former or current teacher you can contact?

[Paladin Brewer]

As of now I don't know who I am teaching. It is between Elem and Middle school. I get to choose on a first come first server basis, in which case I would choose Elem. students. Also my location choice is first come first serve, but I will be teaching for GEPIK so somewhere up in that area. However I haven't sent in my paperwork yet, waiting on my criminal background paperwork to go through, I actually just got back from getting my fingerprints.

I am also currently working on my TESOL certification online, so perhaps that will help some.

[Emark]

[DosEquisXX]

You learn in a trial by fire. After a while, you get a feel for your students and get the hang of lesson planning as you go on in your contract.

[Morgen]

If you teach elementary school you'll have the textbook to work from, which will take most of the lesson planning burden off your shoulders. Some of the lessons are not nearly enough to fill 40 minutes so you need to figure out some supplementary activities, but as they've already said, just focus on getting to know your students and you'll also learn what their level is and how best to guide them.

I remember that feeling of being totally at sea. Just...don't be afraid to fail. You will, sometimes. When a lesson tanks don't just think, "Well ModEdit, that sucked." Think about what made it unsuccessful and do the opposite thing next time. It would be worse to only do the same things all the time out of fear of having something not work.

[frankly speaking]

Another simple thing that you can start doing now, is to think about Why you use the word choices you do.

A lot of us take for granted how and why we use our own language.

Another thing that you can do before you come is to think of something that you know very well and plan out a lesson to teach someone who has no knowledge of your topic.


Could be as simple as how to install windows, or how to build or make something.

Try to think how can I get this person to know what I know and retain that knowledge. SHould I just lecture, can I come up with a tactile/verbal/written activity that will reinforce what I am trying to teach them.