Korean Job Discussion Forums

[spliff]

The teaching is "I want" + article + noun. Any ideas or games on how to teach this in an interesting and fun way?

[Hater Depot]

I would start out with a warm-up activity. Put a heading on the board that says "things we want" and then solicit ideas. What do you want, Timmy? What do you want, Sophie?

Then I would put the model sentence on the board: I want a/an ________. Again solicit ideas and they must answer with a complete sentence as modeled on the board.

Then I would move into more complicated sentences:

I want a ____ for Christmas.

I want a_____ for my birthday.

I want _____ because I am a good student.


Then I would ask questions: Do you want a _________? Yes, I want a _______ or No, I don't want a _________. I'd ask them some funny questions, like Do you want a tiger?, Do you want a crazy pill?, Do you want a new sister? Etc. Then I'd turn the tables and have them ask me questions.

I'd finish off with a review worksheet before game time. Pulling clip art from Google Images is the way I roll.

If your students like making up funny sentences -- and nearly all that I have met do -- that can be an easy but killer lesson.

[spliff]

Nice, thanks!

[Qinella]

You could have them each write on a paper five things that the student next to them probably wants. Or five things they think you want. That could be fun, and help practice subject/verb agreement.

Kids also love a competition. If your class is small enough (like less than 15) you could do a couple things.

1. Bring in a stopwatch (I use my iPod timer). Give each student a time limit, say 20 seconds. Then they have that time period to say as many "I want" sentences as possible without repeating an object. 1/2 point for sentences spoken with incorrect grammar.

2. The no hesitation game. Form some kind of imaginary line (left-to-right, front-to-back) with the students. First student says what s/he wants. Next student must start his/her "I want" sentence immediately after the previous student stops. If s/he starts too early or late, they are out. Also, no repeating. Anyone who repeats is out.

3. Similar to what I said at the beginning of the post, you could have them guess what others want. But to make a challenge, each student should also make a secret list of what s/he wants. So let's say you have Dongho to the right of Yunju. Dongho makes a list of what he thinks Yunju wants. Then he has to compare it to Yunju's list. One point for each one he guessed right.

And like I said, they could just all guess what you want, too, if the class is volatile or prone to tears.

[SPINOZA]

Be sure to remind them to be careful with "I want Noun" as sometimes it can be highly discourteuous...."I would like N / would you like N?" often much nicer.

To be honest, I hate "I want Noun".

"I want to Verb" is clearly fine, but "I want N" sucks, especially when a Korean says it.

[bosintang]

Looking for something specific? What age and what are your constraints?

For me, like teaching most language targets, the most natural way that comes to mind to teach "I want" is to contrast it with something. For example, I want vs. I need, or I want vs. I don't want.

For kids, you could start with a flashcard game or two. E.g. 'Go fish'. Student A: I want a banana. Student B: Sorry / Here you are. (Or adjust the dialogue to match students skill level). Go over picture of things and have the students make a sentence about the picture. "He wants a banana. He doesn't want an apple." Finish with a writing worksheet.

[Hanson]

http://www.mes-english.com/games/bombsaway.php
http://www.mes-english.com/games/getfour.php

These games are amazingly easy to set up (print --> photocopy), and you can use any grammar point you wish to play (yes/no questions, I want + _____, simple past tense, present perfect, future, etc...). The best is that kids go for them in a really big way. Actually, uni students do too!

[spliff]

^ Right, I use a lot of activities from MES (one of the best esl resource sites/ flash cards and power points are the best!) and these games are good. The Ss for this class are 4th grade Korean public school Ss (40 - 45 class size). Basically want to stick w/ one expression/pattern per class. Will use "What do you want for Christmas?" "I want a _____ ." in a variety of drills and games. One activity I will use is the following:

Let kids pass a ball (a stuffed toy, a marker) and say something - a word, a sentence, a question and answer exchange. Two teams - who finishes first.

You can use any language item and you can extend it by asking them not to cheer for their friends but to listen to what they are saying, or to shout "Go, Spidey, go" instead of the usual "soon soon". You can ask them not to repeat themselves (I like coffee, I like tea, I like pizza). Then you can try to eliminate cheating by timing each team separately - let the other team spot the cheats.

The general idea is to use this game (or most other games, for that matter) as a drilling tool - simply repeating phrases or substituting some words. Not much more.

For genuine interaction between students you'll need more space, firm discipline, and experienced kids, or resign to the fact that student-teacher interaction will be available only to a few lucky students while the rest of the class drifts away.

Thanks for your ideas and I will incorporate all of them as one lesson/theme is around 3-4 classes so I'll have a chance to use all your ideas...one by one! Don't want to confuse the slower Ss and want to be certain that each and every S doesn't get left behind...

[Pak Yu Man]

While you are doing that teach them like/want/need.

I think a lot of Koreans have a difficult time with want/need.

[schwa]

Know that korean has a direct translation of "I want" but its used more sparingly than in english -- its considered quite strong. Much more commonly they use an equivalent to "I'd like .."

[SuperHero]