Korean Job Discussion Forums

[d-rail]

i need to start giving english classes to the teachers at the high school/middle school that i work at. i am nervous about this because with the students all of their ranges are fairly close. with the teachers some have very basic knowledge and some are advanced, so the gap is much larger than what the students would be. the classes will probably be about 10 teachers per class. how do i prepare for a class with such a wide range of ability? this is causing me a lot of stress because in my mind there is more pressure on me to do well. i want them to think i know what im doing any suggestions on how i can prepare for this? i dont even know where to begin. its almost impossible for me to lay out a semester outline, let alone a few weeks of classes.

[Pak Yu Man]

Well it seems you've ran into the problem everyone else faces here. Theproblem is Koreans don't understand the concept of putting the bright kids with the other bright kids and the dull ones with the dull ones.

Try to split up the classes. Tell them it won't work. Are you going to teach the same materials to someone who can't talk and someone who's almost fluent? That's plain dumb.

[UncleAlex]

May I suggest that you keep it less formal and more free by using a text
that I've been using in Teachers' Classes these past few years: Express
Yourself 1 and 2, LISKorea. Distribute each topic a week in advance so
that the teachers can prepare their answers to the best of their ability. The
responses will vary according to each student's level, but will be made none
the less. During class have the teachers volunteer to answer a question. The
more advanced speakers usually volunteer first, setting the pace for the less
advanced ones. Meanwhile, don't expect the majority of teachers to attend
classes on a regular basis. In my experience, 3 or 4 teachers usually show
up, and sometimes none at all, because they claim to be "too busy".

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If I ever have teachers who want some sort of extra lessons I just hand them my schedule and invite them to sit in on whatever class they wish. I've had two teachers who quite often do, and they seem to think I'm doing them the greatest favour when it's not one iota more work for me.

[thursdays child]

Ahhh it's a pain in the ass!

Same for me; the levels are broad and their behaviour is shocking. Some are always late, some come early and bug me in my break, cell phones are ringing, comings and goings to get coffee, often teachers class is treated like a meeting and they discuss some work related thing in Korean...... and they complain to my co-worker that class is too difficult and complain to me that they want more challenging stuff!!!