Korean Job Discussion Forums

[reactionary]

17 teachers are signed up.

I asked for a textbook and was given "Let's Talk 1 - Reading & Topic Discussion textbook for Intermediate and Advanced Students." I somehow doubt they will be intermediate or advanced, and it seems a tall task to try to get READING done in class. Any suggestions on what I could do with a reading based textbook that will likely be above the heads of quite a few teachers?

[Banana_Man]

Ohh, I taught Let's Talk a year or so ago - as I recall not a bad conversation starter.

Anyway, I have done some teacher classes (not 17 though) and have generally found that the atmopshere is good and also, light. Don't worry too much, and don't make them read - try to introduce topics and get some sort of discussion going.

Anyway, good luck!

[Rory_Calhoun27]

I had one... briefly....the interest in the class was really wide spread. the teacher I affectionately nicknamed Greyback just got up half way through the first class, walked out and never came back ever- without saying a word. other teachers were very interactive and made it enjoyable. After a few classes I let them choose the topic for the class and I'd bring in some magazine article they wanted to discuss.... they all usually revolved around travel.

anyway, the teachers' interest is a big part of the success. give 'em what they want to learn, and it goes much easier on all ends.

[Gary-Korea]

Hey don't stress yourself about it!

I was told I had to do the same within my first few weeks of arriving at my HS. Like you, I was abit worried about teaching teachers. I found though that teachers make by far the best students. The class was always fun and easy going.

If your anything like me you will also find the class in cancelled quite regularly because the teachers schedule is so full.

As for material I used a mix of the advanced Speaking for Everyday Life and English Communication books. I think the publisher is Darakwon.

Good luck!

[warmachinenkorea]

I have one 3 hrs on Wednesdays. For the most part it's a good break from the students. Mine just wanna discuss, learn new terms, and get better at expressing themselves.

[reactionary]

So nix the textbook?

[shostahoosier]

I think it would be good to keep the textbook as it might come in handy as a general guide.

As for the teachers class, its understandable why you'd be afraid but just act confident and you should be ok.

The problem that I had in my Teacher's class was that I would get crazy questions about grammar that an English speaker probably wouldnt think of because their native language is natural to them.

Do a little refresher on grammar and remember...there isnt always an answer on WHY the English language does something a certain way (or at least an answer they would understand)...remind them that every language has exceptions.

My English class was popular for about 2 months...but after that things at my school got really busy and the teachers decided they'd rather do their paperwork. Well it was that and the Vice-Principal's low English ability slowed down learning in the class to a crawl.

Good luck!

[jvalmer]

If you're new to the area a lot of teachers will sign up to check you out. After a month or so, you'll know which teachers think you're cool and they will keep on showing. Or they really want points.

Good to know, public school teachers get points that help advance their career by taking courses like these. If they are from a private-public school they don't get points, since their advancement is determined by whoever runs their school.

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

When I had teachers class I used worksheets from bogglesworldesl, the adult learner ones. Then I'd have them share their answers with the group and we would have discussion about the issues brought up. It was a great time killer.

[NYC_Gal]

Teachers' classes are the BEST!

If you're stumped, use some of these survey questions. You can make some great lessons out of them:

http://iteslj.org/questions/

You'll probably only have about 6 students within a month or so, but these classes will be some of your favorites. One reason is the quiet voices you can use!

[tokkibunni8]

What i found out about teachers is that they all like to "free talk." So, I threw away their books and took a survey on what they wanted to learn/discuss in class. it's a new topic every class and I let them know what the topic will be for the next class.

I have teachers' classes once a week for 80 mins and seems long for them but times go by fast when you get everyone talking. Let them run class. Use topics such as hobbies, weekend activities, dating, movies...

[edwardcatflap]

Do a needs analysis in the first lesson, then tailor the classes accordingly

[nautilus]

[thoreau]

Week 1 - an introduction about yourself with their questions.

Week 2 - Talk about cultural differences you've noticed since coming to Korea. Target those things that would affect someone if they traveled to the U.S. or Canada or any other western country. For example, make note that asking a relative stranger 'Where are you going?' would be considered pretty rude. If you package this right the teachers will appreciate it because some of them might have plans to travel abroad.

Week 3 - use conversation starters. These questions can be found on the web in various forms. Cut out about 50 questions and put them in a bag and have each teacher pick one out and then talk about it for 30 seconds. Then pass the bag to the next teacher. Etc.

By the fourth week you'll be in a groove and ready to go.

[reactionary]