Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MoneyMike]

Hey guys,

I've just been assigned a once a week teachers class with 4 non-English teachers. (One of whom will be the vice-principal)

The head of English at my school has suggested preparing 3 or 4 sentences they should learn each week before they come to class. The level is really low, and they want to focus on things they could use when travelling internationally. Because of that, topics aren't a problem to come up with. (language at the airport, restaurants, hotels, general introduction type stuff, directions, etc)

I'm just not sure how to go about actually teaching this class. Most of the time I won't have a co-teacher, (I think the first week I will though) and the level of my new students is low enough to cause me concerns about communication. My biggest problem is just activities. I don't really know what to do with such a small class, I've only ever taught 40 kid PS classes.

Normally I wouldn't stress too much about something like this, but seeing as how the VP will be in the class I want things to go smoothly. I totally dig my job this year and don't wanna flub this class and have things turn around on me.

Any suggestions?

[edwardcatflap]

Don't give them sentences to learn, it's pointless and pretty much frowned on pedagogically these days. If they want to do everyday travel English get a book that concentrates on it or photocopy bits out of books that have sections on it. The English file series has regular sections at the end of each unit on travel English for example and starts at Beginner level. Buy the CD, get them to listen to the dialogues, fill in the spaces, practise the dialogues with fixed expressions then get them to change them slightly and add different information. Build up to having them practise dialogues in pairs with minimal prompting. Repeat for all units: in the cafe, in the shop, directions, at the airport, in the hotel etc... etc..Teach them some phrases for small talk too such as 'what do you do, where are you from, did you have a good trip etc....

[MoneyMike]

Nice, that's good advice, thanks dude.

Just wasn't sure what kind of activities to do with these guys. The fact that one of them is my VP made it even more nerve wracking.