Korean Job Discussion Forums

[teachingld2004]

I am sure this topic has been posted before, but up until now, I have never needed any help.

The lower levels are lost if I teach even to the middle. The higher ones want to talk about so many things, yet the lower level students can not even follow a bit.

At times I teach to the middle, and even then the lower students can't keep up and the higher level ones get bored.

I can not pair them up and have the better ones help the others, that is not fair.

They are a fantastic group of people, and they help eachother. I just need some advice.

The class runs for one and 1/2 hours. We have conversation for the first half; they choose the topic. We write a bit and talk. The second half I use books, and I give out copied pages.

I (and I am sure alot of you also) need some tips.

This can become a good thread, as we all can use it, no matter what ages we teach.

And by the way, its Sunday night and I am tired. I am just jotting down some ideas on what to do in the next 3 weeks.

(and yes, I do use a dictionary and spell check when I type for my classes)

Thanks all

[victim of love]

OP? impossible to do. 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks.'

[teachingld2004]

It is not impossible. Some times we have great classes. I have asked them to tell me about what they like about their jobs, what they wish they could change.

I like having them ask me questions, and some times that turns into good conversation. I ask them to tell me what they need help with. I tell them to try not to be shy, and I tell them that I know at times it is hard to say what is on our minds.

We talk about culture, and how all of us make mistakes. I love teaching them.

I just am looking for some advice, and what some of you do when you teach students when their levels vary greatly.

Thanks again to all who help. We all can use any advice. I also know that what works for some of us does not work for others.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think I'd follow the pattern of Interchange. That series starts a lesson with a grammar point and follows with several activities (guided practice, free practice) and then a discussion where using that grammar point is likely.

That kind pattern makes good sense in your situation because it gives all levels some of what they need in order to improve.

[Butterfly]

[teachingld2004]

Thanks, I will look at that series this weekend. This is my first adult class and I will take your advice.

Nope, its not brain surgery, but when a person never has done something before, any advice is well taken.

Getting everyone to talk also is hard, because some people just sit and do not say one word.

I am thinking of using a timer and telling them all they have one week to prepare a 3 minute talk on some topic, and then everyone has to ask them a question.

[Ya-ta Boy]

You might also want to take a look at breakingnews.com for some conversation lessons.

[Tiger Beer]

Two extremely basic things (but not everyone seems to know this):

1) Use simple lessons from simple books - even the students who are much advanced than whats being taught - they will simply jump ahead on their own from the lesson during partner/small group conversation time. Plus even a simple lesson like 'ordering in a restaurant', which we all assume they've done a million times, turns out that even the most advanced students learn something new from a lesson - new things present themselves everytime. During conversation time, someone will always ask how to say something a bit different they want to express. Simplistic is best. (What do you think of North Korea for an hour discussion - while common in advanced classes, isn't a good topic in my opinion - its not even fun). Describing a bad date or a bad experience at a restaurant can be - and advanced students can have just as much fun with it - even though they'll originally think they are too good for doing that kind of a lesson.

2) Use partners frequently. As a general rule (particularly for new teachers for adults).. the one teacher trying to talk to 5-10 students at the same time means that many students get very little if any talking time. Put them in partners often so they are all speaking in regards to whatever lesson you are teaching. This is extremely important, as I've always noticed many new adult hogwan teachers try to entertain the entire class in one conversation at the same time - it just doesn't work. Present a lesson, topic, a focus.. give them sentences as conversation starters, as follow-up questions, etc. for the lesson - then throw them in partners and let them begin using them in sentences.

Also important is you have a lesson as basic structure.. even though these 'hogwan conversation classes' are sometimes suppose to be free-talking or 'bring in an article'. Realistically, its better to just prepare a lesson instead - a good book does wonders - and doesn't need to be a complicated one. The easier and more simplistic the lesson, the more you have to work with, and the further you can add on/build upon.. rather than starting with an overwhelming one that fails. I like everyday types of topics.

Another fun thing to do after you've had a few organized 'conversation' days.. organize a 'role-play' day where students have to develop a conversation to present to the class based on all the previous learned phrases, sentences, vocabularies, etc of the previous few lessons. Its a good way for them to recall all the new words, phrases, and vocabularies from a previous day, and they'll end of branching out more from them, in addition to actually remembering that stuff from a previous lesson.

[Ghostinthemachine]

Sorry I only have two suggestions but I hope they help.

Teach giving directions. This is accessible even to beginners as it only requires the imperative form of the verb (which is the same as the bare infinitive which they should know). Pre-teach vocabulary like 'intersection, go two blocks, turn left/right, it's on the left/right, it's next to/beside, it's across from, it's kitty corner to' etc. Alot of textbooks/ resources have maps with'You are here' as a starting point and then a list of places for them to find. Get them to practice in pairs. I've found even advanced students are not good at giving directions and students always like this lesson cos it teaches them something practical.

You can also extend this then by getting them to give directions to places near the school/office wherever your teaching. Get them to start with 'go out of the school and turn left/right'. Also you can get them to direct eachothers to their homes 'Take line one as far as X, go out exit 3... Don't forget to explain to them to use landmarks.

Another thing that can be useful for mixed levels is to use 'Conversation questions' (Google and you'll find a list of topics). Put them in pairs according to their levels and remind them to use follow up questions of their own. The beauty of this is that the conversations that result will naturally follow the level of their speaking ability. Take a hands off approach with this and just monitor for patterns of mistakes occuring. Then correct those mistakes at the end on the board without referring to who made them. Insist they write down what you explain on the board or otherwise they will just forget.

Hope this helps. If I come up with any other ideas I'll let you know.

Bye the way Tiger Beer's post on the subject was really good.