Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ellie]

he would really like to learn english as he has incurred difficulties in his life whilst travelling abroad.

Just wondering if u guys have any tips, as I would need to teach this guy his ABCs but dont want him to feel stupid! would i pull out the picture cards?

Also, to all those that have contributed to this site- congratulations a job well done. tis very resourceful!

[mateomiguel]

First tell him Korea is great, you like the food, its not too hot, you live alone but are not lonely, you have a girlfriend, and you're not considering marriage. Oh, and feign amazement at the four seasons, this one being fall.

You know he's going to mention it anyways.

Then, old guys love to talk about the past. So ask him about some topic, get him started in a story, and while he's talking write down some sentences that he misspoke. Then after the story has come to its conclusion go over the sentences with him and review the correct ways to say those things. He'll probably repeat it a few times on his own.

[ellie]

his wife is one of my best friends so none of that- and really he can not string a sentence together even a poor attempt!

hmm...

[ajuma]

If you don't know Korean (or even if you do...lie!) have HIM teach you the Korean alphabet while you teach him the English alphabet. It will give him a sense of knowing something that you don't, and ease the way into learning English reading...and improve your Korean!

[Dazed and Confused]

I taught a woman in her 60's a few years back. Although she did understand some English, she could barely string a sentance together either. I started with a basic textbook, Side by Side 1, and told her right out that it wasn't interesting, repeated alot, but covered the basic verb tenses and she'd get lots of practice. She accepted this and studied hard and could see herself improve over time. My advice-be straightforward and tell him you're going to start at the bottom and work up.

[cubanlord]

[tzechuk]

[Qinella]

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think you are over-reacting to his age. He knows he doesn't know the alphabet and doesn't necessarily feel stupid.

There's a lot of good advice on this thread. Use it and don't worry that using flash cards designed for kids will insult him. But do focus more on words that will be useful to him. Robot made some good suggestions on the Vocabulary Expansion thread.

[poet13]

You could try building thematic conversation trees. Build a simple conversation, and over time, at each place where there is an option for a different response or quesiton, you can start adding them in. You can have him write them down, and he will probably practise them on his own.
Just my thought...