Korean Job Discussion Forums

[butlerian]

I've been teaching 2nd graders last semester, and I got through that, but looking at the Middle School grade 1 textbook, the first chapter seems to be about little more than saying "Hi". Any ideas for a first lesson with these guys, bearing in mind that most of my co-teachers don't help me in any way other than standing at the back of the class? The English level where I am - in a small town surrounded by countryside - is below the national average.

[snehulak]

I worked in a similar environment last year and found these books to be very popular with the students:

http://www.finchpark.com/books/tmms/index.htm

Chapter 1 should take care of the first few lessons. If you want to buy a copy, they are only 13,000 won.

[butlerian]

[poet13]

For the very first lesson, I do this.
I tell them that they have a special today, one day only.
I tell them my name, and if they want to know anything about me, they have to ask. I tell them the course objectives. I tell them how much of their English grade is from my class (40%), and how they will be marked.
Then on to questions. I let them ask anything, and if they get quiet, I ask them questions (the teacher translates). Stuff like, "What do you think of the government policies regarding rice subsidies to farmers in Korea?" Back on track.
It's a fun class, I get to hear the different students and their level. I get to hear who is going to be a smart-ass and who is not. I see who is shy and make a note.

[butlerian]

[poet13]

My 1st year kids are low level too. The rice subsidy question just gets me some really big eyes. You will find that there will be a few kids in the class who the rest will consult with on their questions. You will get, "teachuh....much ageeee?" (how old are you?) For that first class, having the co-teacher is important. I have found that the kids get a real kick out of getting to know who I am, an for once, being able to ask anything they want without fear of being scolded.
I think it's a fantastic opportunity to bond with my students and I learn a lot about them. They learn that I can be fun and funny, but that my class will NEVER be out of control.

I don't think the grade is important. I just tell them just they are graded in my class.... if they're not, they're not....

[snehulak]

The first page is just a list of what is covered in the chapter. Look further.

[xCustomx]

I did the same as one of the above posters: I told them my name and that I'm American, and if they want to know anything else they have to ask me. I split them up into groups of 4 and gave 5-10 minutes to formulate questions while I walked around and helped. Then I gave every group a chance to ask 1 question. Questions ranged from "Whachu best soopochu?" (aka what's your favorite sport?) to "what's your phone number" and one girl in almost perfect english "what is the most valuable thing in your life?" My co-teachers were quite helpful in keeping the class under control and explaining things in Korean when they didnt understand something.

After they asked me questions I gave them a worksheet which gave them an opportunity to interview each other. I made sure to write the Korean words at the bottom for ANY vocabulary I thought they might know. Coming from a hagwon where most of the students were pretty advanced, I learned not to take anything for granted. If you think even one person might not know the word you should write it down.

After 15 minutes of the worksheet we played a small game for the last 3 or 4 minutes. Now I get to repeat the same thing for 2 more classes today. Good luck

[crazy_arcade]

1) group brainstorming--getting to know the teacher
I don't tell them anything about myself, not even my name, until they ask me. When they ask me my name I take the opportunity to start on first names and family names and the correct way to address and adult in English.
2) Class rules and expectations--Let them come up with answers to what they think the class rules should be.
3) Class reward and punishment system.

I start out strong with a cold face...and inject humor here and there. For example, when I explain the yellow card and red card system. I let them know that if they get a red card then they are out of the class. I then mime picking up a student and throwing him out the window. Or when I explain about no tolerance with cell phones, I show them my old decrepit phone and tell them I need a new phone so I'm looking forward to taking one of theirs'.

Anyways, don't let them get away with things because you're not Korean.

[butlerian]

[ddeubel]

[Scouse Mouse]

I am in the exact same situation. FIrst class for me was not so good, but each class since then is getting better. Here is what I do...

When I enter the room, I write my name and put a circle around it. Then I write a ton of words and numbers that are related to me. For instance, I put Liverpool, 30, guitar, 2, single, 175, Rock, etc etc etc...

I then have the korean teacher intorduce me and tell them that I am from England... then I get to say hello and explain that for today, I understand that they are very excited to meet me for the first time and so we will spend time getting to know each other. If they have a hard time understanding, the Korean teacher will offer a translation.

I have 2 rules: Only speak in english (I will let this slide if they get into a decent conversation and need a translation) and to keep the noise down so that I can hear people. I have them raise their hand to ask a question and I will ask them to stand when it is their turn...

Now.... unknown to them, I have a bag of cheap chocolate sweets (I buy 4 at the start of the day - 4,000won well spent!). They ask whatever they like and for the first minute or 2 they will be nervous about asking. It is inevitable that one of the kids will ask "where are you from" or "what is your hobby" - I then point to tell them I am from Liverpool (or that I play guitar) and I rub out that word on the board... then the kid who asked gets a chocolate! Once they see that sweets are on offer, they go crazy with questions.

The things on the board usually relate to the common questions do the examples I gave earlier : I am from Liverpool in England, I am 30 years old, my hobby is playing the guitar, I have 2 brothers, I am not married, I am single, I am 175cm tall, My favourite music is Rock music... When I am down to 2 or 3, I usually tell them what I was looking for to speed things along as they are just trying to guess the 'right' question at this point.

I will then go around the kids who tried (but did not recieve chocolate) and I ask them about themselves... what is your name, what are your hobbies - usually computer games (follow up: what is your favourite game) or soccer/football (who is your favourite team). If they say manchester united, pull a face and they love it! I will stretch out the questions for those who speak decent english so will also ask what they want to be when they grow up, and what their favourite subject is. When they are done, give them chocolate!

When you run out of chocolate, do a question/answer session to check they have listened... where am I from, how old am I, etc. Finally, give them another opportunity to ask any questions they may not have asked already.

Some of the questions are great... once kid asked me if I wanted to marry the Korean teacher.. poor lass was on her 2nd day as a teacher and was really embarrased. I have been asked my blood type (!), and telephone number is a common one. If they ask a question and you can give a detailed answer, do so.. they often ask my favourite season so I say I like autumn as the leaves turn brown and fall to the ground and it makes everything look beautiful. They enjoy this kind of answer... Do not be afraid to get the Korean teacher to translate something as they prefer a detailed answer that they can understand rather than one that they can not.

Finally, use any opportunity to poke fun at yourself. They often ask about food - If it is korean food I say I have been eating it in the school cafeteria and I enjoy it very much... any other food type (or what is your favourite food) and I stick my belly out and rub it, saying that I like all food! One of my kids was a little chubby lad and he stood up and said "Me too! I think I am like you very much"... bless!

[butlerian]