Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mister_joseph]

Hi osaka-susan!

what i learned recently about teaching kids is ..... they are not adults!

i used to try to get them to speak as often as possible. That's what the purpose of every adult conversation class (in Korea-land and elsewhere). "Oh, the students need to speak, they have studied and know so much grammar and vocabulary". That is true with adults, for sure. Well, so with kids, i started trying to do every class while shouting at the kids, trying to get them to speak English. "Oh, my class is loud, this is going very well, they are SPEAKING ENGLISH".

The problem is behavior control with children. If you act excited and try to get them to break the silence barrier, they don't know where to stop. Sure, they spoke English, but they also did a lot of screaming.

WEll, I have recently changed. I just calmly go to class and sit there in the middle. I don't try to play the lecturing teacher, having them all repeating in unison like a synchronized swim-team (read; synchronized english class). Kids don't have that much attention to do what the adults do. Just get them to stay calm. THe time when they are learning the best is when the classroom is quiet and they are well-behaved. They actually will simply use their kid-energy to carry them through the workbook. If there is one section which is too difficult, then I will walk around the class and make sure they are on the same page and do the whole page orally and make sure they are writing it down. Also, I check individually their work and make them SPEAK the answers. Sometimes they don't even need prompting, because of their natural kid energy......

if something is new, or difficult, then the real teaching challenge begins. But, my original approach of synchronized lecturing is not the way to do it with kids.

i have more to say .....

저는 한국어를 조금잘하는 외국인강사입니다. 그래서 그것도 도움이 돼요. 기초, ABC반은 영어를 전혀 모르니까 나한테 지시설명이나, 어떻게 한 부붐을 해야하는지에때해서 그 질문을 알아듣고 "예" 안으면 "아니"란 짧은 한마디로 내짓으면서 설명할수있으니까.

[jacl]

I get them all riled up sometimes and then I start the lesson and get really serious at them for acting out of turn. It's sort of an up and down merry go round. Makes them wanna come back for more.

Also, I have a memory like an elephant. I remember one student who asked when I was going back home. When I told her, she raised her hand, waved and sarcastically said "Bye". So, a few weeks later I played a short game with the students and made sure she won. I showed the prize to everyone before the game. A big box wrapped in shiny blue wrapping paper with a beautiful red bow. I had her open the present after she won. Inside was my teacher book. "Ok everyone. Turn to Unit 3!"

[jacl]

Another game that gets 'em to be quiet:

You know when you walk into class and a student whines "Gaaaaaaaame". I think we all hate that one. Well anyway, you can comply and it's very fun for the teacher. The game involves a paper cup. You play 20 questions with prompts and hints for the kids. Tape money to the inside of the cup before class. Maybe 5000 Won. The more, the better the effect. Have the cup sitting on your desk in a way that it all looks quite spontaneous and say, "Ok. This is a good game!" Take the cup and put both hands inside your bookbag or whatever to make it look like you're putting something inside it. Or better yet, leave the room, come back and sit down. Next slide the cup from your palm face-up hand to your desk and start with the guesses. Roll dice or have them do rock paper scissors for the guessing order. Give good hints. Say things like "It's really good!" Eventually someone will say "Is it money?" You say "Yes", lift the cup and there's nothing there. You ask the student "Do you want it?" Dejected student: "No." "Oh, that's too bad Jimmy." And show everyone where the money is: taped to the inside of the cup.

Keeps 'em quiet.