Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alyallen · Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 11:33 pm Post subject: What do you do with...?

students whose English is far superior to their classmates? I had a student ask me today to teach her something other than "Hi. What's your name?" She spent 2 years in the States and her English is quite impressive. She is not the only student that I've noticed with great English skills either. I work at an elementary school and I am currently using the government issue textbooks. Any advice, questions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Alyson

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Talk to them outside class?

Does your elementary school have a cafeteria? I sometimes have lunch or dinner with some of my more fluent HS students, or use them to translate something more difficult in class.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

If you have the time and energy, you might work up a reading program for her to do. Find age appropriate material for reading and writing assignments.

In class, I'd use her as the go-to person to give directions for games in Korean after you have given the English directions. Use her for your partner when there are odd numbers of students for pair work, expanding the dialog with her.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Just spend a little extra time and if you hand out a worksheet, give her a different one more to her liking.

That's the problem with Korea. they are not allowed to seperate students on level. If they do the parents complain cause their kid is in the lower class. I hate having kids who don't care and never try mixed in with idiots ( and they are fuktards) mixed in with some of the brightest kids you'll meet.

So anoying.

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

"I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do. Maybe you could get the school to make another class." Then you get OT for it.

Alyallen · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:30 pm Post subject:

An update of sorts.

There will be two extra classes set up to address the problem I mentioned before. One class is for "Middle" level and the other for "High" level. i get overtime for the classes and I also get to interview and choose who will be in what class. Hopefully the parents of kids who don't get in don't try to force their kids into the class. I'll keep my fingers cross. Thanks for your advice, suggestions and comments!

Alyson

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

That sounds cool, wish my school would go for that! Good luck and good efforts to reach those kids.....top and bottom, cream and curds........

You might want to try some computer workshops with these kids if your school has access....lots of good sites and it would stimulate them to work on their own. progress outside of class...I like www.englishspace.ort.org And you can monitor as the teacher. cool site.

Also unitedstreaming.com has great educational videos for students and would be really stimulating for kids who can speak more than rudimentary english.....

Again, good effort.

DD

Alyallen · Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:39 pm Post subject:

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Congratulations.

If you have a class with some higher levels and some low levels, you can't teach them separately unless they are in separate classes. Going out of you way and making extra work for yourself for the higher level students with no extra pay is just not smart. Some suggested this, but they should've thought twice about their suggestions.

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

jacl · Joined: 31 Oct 2005

Yes, I was serious. I guess I'm not as benevolent as you when it comes to teaching. Plus, the students lose out in the big class scenario. Especially so if you're splitting them up according to levels.

ontheway · Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:51 am Post subject:

Jacl,

You often have good advice about negotiating, standing up for yourself wtih the boss, getting paid for working etc. And I support you in your view of big classes and small classes. Kids learn best with classes under 8 students (actually, I think the ideal class is even smaller). But, when it comes to the kids, don't you have a place in your heart to give a little?

I've taught a lot of free special classes to help kids that were behind their class or to help bright, hardworking kids get ahead to join higher classes. Actually, over the years, at least 500 hours. Some were too poor to pay extra, others I thought were already paying enough to their various hogwans. Helping the kids makes me happy and I think that's more important than getting extra cash for everything I do.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Grotto · Joined: 21 Mar 2004

Bellum99 wrote