Korean Job Discussion Forums

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

After Chuseok I start teaching the 47 elementary school teachers at my school--the vice-principal is forcing them to attend.

With such a large class of reluctant "students", I'd like to know how others would approach the first class ....or maybe I should be looking for a cheap plane ticket out of the country. (I read the most recent teachers' class thread and now I'm even more apprehensive.) I dread teaching "English teachers" along with their peers.....the "face saving" issue will be a major challenge.

Could someone please recommend a bookstore that carries a decent selection of possible texts? Jazz English looks interesting but I'd like to take a look at some others as well. I also have a class of close to 20 parents starting next week so I'm hoping to find a dual purpose text.

Thanks.

tomato · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject:

Milwaukiedave · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Location: Goseong

LB,

There is a Kim & Johnson a few places in Seoul as well. The main one is way over in Gangnam though (there is also one at the Paju English Village as well). Maybe Kyobo or Incheon Foreign Book Store would be a better bet (since I know your out this direction).

How was the pumpkin pie?

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

Tomato,

Thank you so very much for your detailed and thoughtful reply. You provided me with some great suggestions....very much appreciated.
I wish you were "fighting by my side too!!! I'll give it my best shot.

David.....thanks. Talk to you soon.

tomato · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:04 pm Post subject:

These are a couple of my favorite get-acquainted activities.

Number one is a song commonly used in preschools in the United States:

Number two is a sign language activity:

To say each individual's name in Korean sign language is easier than you might think.
I have a chart prepared for you:

Of course, if all 47 teachers show up, either activity could get tedious in 47 consecutive repetitions.
I would perform the activity for one row at a time, after which I would have a brief conversation with the teachers on that row.

bosintang · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject:

I guess the first thing to find out is why do you have to teach the teachers? What do they expect (or are expected) to get out of it? It seems ridiculous to me.

And oh yeah..I'd skip the sign-language and pre-school songs.

Here's my idea: Tell the teachers that you are not comfortable being in a 'teacher' role and would rather just be a meeting facilitator. Start with a bilingual brainstorming sessions. Start with what do the teachers expect to gain from taking this class. Do they want conversation practice? (Not practical) Do they want strategies of how to use English in their classroom? Do they want specialised vocabulary lessons related to their subject? You could control the class by managing the time and organising the teachers into groups, etc. After the students come out with a good brainstorm, develop on that further.

babtangee · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:10 pm Post subject:

47 teachers in one class?! Sorry your vice-principal is such a dick. I'd certainly be insisting that they be split into two classes (and that I get paid overtime). Best of luck.

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Are all the 47 teachers in one single class? If so, I reckon you can't be expected to monitor the progress of all those students. And, they're all bound to be of mixed level ability which is a farce. Instead, for such class sizes, I'd plan to set mini projects rather than do textbook work. Perhaps you could introduce one language point at the beginning of each session, addressing the whole class, then just explain a project (however, you might need to board a list of points that you expect to be covered in the project, otherwise many students can fail to take initiative and realise what's expected of them and will say they're finished after 5 minutes), which they can get on with and present at some stage. Projects that I've done tend to be inspired by reality TV shows that you can see on cable in Korea: Survivor: In groups of 8 (or however many), they need to decide which 2 will be elimated; Pop-Idol: form a pop band, explain your ethos, write and perform a set of song lyrics; The Apprentice: design your own company/product and present it...and so on. If they have zero creativity or inability to have fun, I would just print off something like the breakingnews.com worksheets and hand them out and stand back and do nothing more!

For the first lesson, perhaps break down the class in groups of 10 and ask them to write a set of interview questions that they'd like to ask the other students in their group.

If you have a nervous breakdown, come back to this board, and we'll all lend you our sympathy!

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

[quote="LateBloomer"]

kimchi_pizza · Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:33 am Post subject:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=66942

bosintang gave the best advice

47 teachers in one class is insane. Break it down into AT LEAST two classes, then break it down even further in groups of 6-8, same grade level teachers would be better as they are already familiar with each other. Teachers of different grade levels don't seem to get along with each other. One-up-manship or something like that. Very competitive and they get into these intellectual pissing contests.

Good luck with that one!

As far as books, do that want professional developement like something that would prepare them for TOEIC/TOEFL tests or general conversation?

If it's conversation, I recommend Top Notch level 3/4.

Being teaches of students who will one day take TOEIC/TOEFL tests, these teachers should be more familiar with its requirements. Maybe just have classes based on that...becoming more familiar with those tests.

No matter what, be prepared and take charge or you'll have a bunch'a chiefs on a raiding party of the local whiskey distillery! They'll fly your scalp from the flagpole. (Joking by the way......you have my prayers)

ddeubel · Joined: 20 Jul 2005

These can be hellish or a hell uv a lot of fun......

I don't want to write a big thesis here and in appreciation of your task, I'll simplify.

Teachers don't want to be there -- and they've also had a hard day and are just dead tired, kids, students, wives, husbands, bills, etc......

So keep it light.

Focus on group talk. Get them talking about their lives, their world. I have sets of cards with topics. Students pick a card and ask someone in the group, "tell us about......".

Teach around a theme for each lesson. For example family. Go to http://iteslj.org/questions/ and cut the sheets in two. In pairs they ask each other about their family. Present your own family in powerpoint, they ask the questions.

Do some other conversation oriented tasks Find some who ....has 3 sisters. Isn't married...etc...or so ooooooo many others.

Then let them hit the karaoke machine. Go to my website, load up a song for the theme and then go to it. Explanations on how to set it up in your classroom there.....

Another thing. Have them do quickie presentations. Give the presentation blank on my site. they practice in small groups and prepare. Then they give to a larger group as a volunteer.....they love performing and it is a riot!!! the teachers will start teaching each other...

So much more but got to run...

DD

captain kirk · Joined: 29 Jan 2003

Don't ask me how to get them giddy; it's a chemical thing. You're either a giddiness catalyst or you aren't. A whoopie cushion in the right place and they'll be learning, 'who farted?', 'euwww, that's rank, you're dead and must be buried, crapmeister', plus 'you smell like old kimchee, Grandfather'. Lots of fun.

LateBloomer · Joined: 06 May 2006

Thanks everyone...... for your input and good wishes. I've got some good ideas to consider now. I'll let you know how it turns out.

MD...the pie was great.

W.T.Carl · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I did something similar. It was a blast. Just make sure you keep a good sense of humor and you will do just fine.

JeJuJitsu · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Location: McDonald's

I only had to teach the teachers for three weeks. Started with about 10, but then I would put them "on the spot" to talk in class quite a bit, which caused only 5 to show up the second week, by the third week only two showed up, by the fourth, none, and no more teachers' classes since!

It's important to treat them in a condescending manner, smirk and laugh at their pronunciation, and before you know it, it's ended for good.

Don't get me wrong, I get along great with the teacher's in the office, and still teach them English, but in a day-to-day, "natural" way--I'll have a short hello conversation, then stop by their cubicle, and have an "english chat" for a few minutes with them. Or they will ask me how to ask for directions to E-Mart in English--things like that. The teachers all love this and think it's much better than a formal class. Plus it's a way to interact with the other teachers, instead of teaching the teachers, and that whole weird dynamic.