Korean Job Discussion Forums

celticjay · Joined: 27 Aug 2005

Any tips on how to get a high level adult class talking more. It seems as though their vocabulary is quite high, yet they're apprehensive to speak freely. Does anyone have a sure fire remedy they'd like to share.

rokgryphon · Joined: 12 Apr 2005

Try a debate style class. It can work over the course of three lessons. One lesson to learn about the topic, and discuss it to learn the new vocab. Then split the group on two sides of the issue. I like to ask them which side they think is correct then try to put them on the other side. Also, take time to prepare a debate structure and rules; as well as target debate language. The third class is the debate. The teacher is the moderator; as well makes no grammar corrections during class, but takes notes on errors. Near the end of the class then review some common errors you heard over the course of the discussion.
For the first class, maybe bring in a variety of topics and choose the one that the students respond to the best.

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

they're not talking because they are nervous. they don't want to look like a dumb arse infront of their peers.

Don't know what you are doing. Maybe get a buisness related artile to discuss. Or something that talks about how great Japan is. They will talk to you then.

Captain Corea · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Location: Seoul

Encourage them and try for passive reinforcement.

Do not try debating! I've been teaching business english full time for 5 years now and whenever I try a debate class, it usually falls on its rear. Koreans are not taught how to debate (it takes months to get them to that level - language is not the issues)

lastat06513 · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:29 pm Post subject:

If they are high-level, you have your work out for you...

I taught several business-related English classes at FILA and LG.
What department do most of them work for?

I found most of my previous students were from the Sales teams...this made for a VERY interesting class....

Here are some ideas:

1. Divide the students into teams and have each team invent a product and try to make a sales presentation around it. This way, every member of a certain team (one will make and explain the product, one will explain their sales concept, and one will explain the cost, price and profit forecast) will have a chance to explain their part of the project.

2. Bring a picture of an ordinary neighborhood and ask the students where they would place a billboard or a product endorsement to maximize its exposure to potential customers.

3. Bring a picture to class of an object and ask the students to make a marketing slogan for the product (IE, NIKE "Just Do It!") or a motto for it.

These are just SOME ideas I had used for class. Keep in mind they are businesspeople looking to improve their English for the sake of the collective in the company. Some were hand-picked because they were seen as rising stars, others were forced into it or else get cut from the team.

Either way- you can't please them all......

Hotpants · Joined: 27 Jan 2006

Some classes will just never speak out no matter what you do if you don't have a good group dynamic. This is not necessarily your problem.

Many classes will also claim that they want 'free conversation' with the teacher. Yet, when you ask a question addressed to the whole class, all you get is silence.

Have you tried doing just pairwork? When they're done with pairwork, move on to small groups.

A list of biz Eng sites are listed on my site below. Some have good worksheets for pairwork activities.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Are they all from the same company? In that case it really depends on their pre-existing relationships.. obviously that is somethign you can't do anything about.

If they are coming to your hagwon from various companies however, it's tougher. Some people just pay their (or their company's) money but refuse to talk... for whatever mysterious reason. One thing I always do for class warmup is let them ask whatever questions they have about English; a lot of them listen to EBS and stuff and come in with a million questions. Then other students get curious too. It can be a good icebreaker.

Zark · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:13 pm Post subject:

If they are really business people - have them "sell" their product - or discuss its relative advantages and disadvantages over their competitor's products - they WILL know those facts.

Also - you might have them talk about how they would entertain a foreign business person who is considering a large order for their product - one that would get them a HUGE pay raise.

Find out their specialties and ask about them and ask them to talk about them.

Often the problem in a Business English course is that the teacher (not implying you - but speaking generally here) has no experience or interest in the business world - and thus can't relate to or even discover what might interest the people in their class.