Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mog]

You know, the one girl who is far superior in speaking and reading than her peers. The one that aces or nearly aces every test you give her. The one who only gives one word answers (if that) unless the answer is written on a page.

How do I get this girl to talk? She's bright, intelligent, and superior in the ways I've mentioned, but she doesn't converse. I have great conversations with her two classmates, enough though their English is not as good as hers. Those two were absent today and I practically begged her to say something to me that wasn't rehearsed. I got ONE smile out of her today (I usually get quite a few from other students in similar circumstances) and that was saying "PC bang." Please give me advice. I really want to get her talking. She's 13, I think. I believe it's the last elementary school grade before middle school, but I'm not perfectly sure.

[Ya-ta Boy]

During class, insist on her answering questions with complete sentences. Give lots of praise to build up her confidence.

[ajuma]

She's afraid of being different from her friends. It's a terrible age for a girl (remember when you were 14!! Guys mature later!).

Try doing role-plays in class. Have one of the girls (DON'T start with the shy one!) be the "teacher" and the rest (you included!) be the student. Before starting, talk about different types of students: the talkative ones, the shy ones, the DUMB ones (you can be the dumb one in the role play!!) Or have them take turns being Brittney, or whoever....and have the other students interview her. Role-play a "first date" (no, you DON'T get to be the guy! ).

Try singing some English songs, and have THEM teach you a Korean song or two!

Pre-teens are some of the hardest but most rewarding students to teach. Good luck!