Korean Job Discussion Forums

jamhead · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Location: NYS

HI. I'm teaching a discussion class with only one student - intermediate proficiency and in elementary school. My manager seems to think more students will sign up for the class, but I disagree as it's already been a month and there's still only one girl. Anyway...I'm running out of ideas to keep the kid entertained for 2 hours, and teach her a few things at the same time.
My student is very talkative, but with a "discussion" theme and only one student, there's only so much I can do.
If anyone's every been in a similar situation, I'd really appreciate some ideas.
Thanks

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Have fun and bring in board games - scrabble, monopoly, Life, etc. That will eat up heaps of time.

Scott in Incheon · Joined: 30 Aug 2004

I have had these sorts of classes in the past. I broke the class up into--reading, writing and speaking...and then sometimes listening if I had access to a TV. You could use tapes and work on listening...but to be honest I don't like it much when there is just one student.

Depending on the student's level a novel study is one way to go. Choose a book...read a little...then have your discussion. Add in some writing instruction with the writing done during class time and you should be okay.

Just break the class down into parts and make sure you include a break. No one wants to study for 2 hours straight.

Add YBS's idea of some games and the hours will start to float by....

Teach her some card games for a quick break from studies.

Write some simple poems...pizzazz on the net...can't remember the whole address has some great poems you can do with young learners.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

YouTube!

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Have a discussion about online bidding, and then surf Ebay for an hour. That's what I did with one of my classes of two students, and we had an insane amount of fun, and lots of good discussions.

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Talk about the English she sees every day- restaurants/foods, what is said on the subway, on tv, and things like: PC, Exit, SOS, you know the rest.

bnrockin · Joined: 27 Feb 2006

bring a book and have her read it aloud and correct her pronunciation (something fun like harry potter). After she reads a paragraph, work on comprehension. Make sure she knows what is going on and not just reading the words. You're never too young to practice reading comprehension.

babtangee · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:48 am Post subject:

Chess. Checkers. Blackjack. All moves require an announcement of intent.

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

Why not teach her some recipes for food other than Korean? I think it would be fun to spend one day teaching her how to read a cookbook written in English and to follow the directions.

teachingld2004 · Joined: 29 Mar 2004

How many days of the week do you have her? Can you take her out of the school?

If you can, you can have her give you a "guided tour". Have her take you to the supermarket, and tell you about the products. Walk around the area and talk about what you see.

Have her keep a diary, and discuss it with her. You keep a diary also, and have her ask you about it. Can you watch a show and talk about it?

Have her teach you a card game. Have her bring in photo's of her friends and family.

And yes, ake sure you take a break. Two hours is too long.

Mr. BlackCat · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Location: Insert witty remark HERE

If you have internet access during class time:

Find a site with real estate listings and pictures in Canada/US/Where ever (in English) and have her peruse it for half an hour or something. Sit with her be a guide. Have her pick her favourites and least favourites. Explain why. After that, have her write about her dream home using ideas from what she just saw. Have her present it. You can do it too to make it more like a fun project.

Have her research a vacation she wants to take on the web (or as homework). Plan an itenerary, discuss the countries she's interested in, find out about the food. That sort of stuff.

Play the 'story game'. One way is to read the beginning of a popular fairy tale and have her either finish it orally or written..ly. Or start some random story and go back and forth with it. Use new vocabulary that she is forced to think about to continue the story.

I did all these with a free talk class, even with one student, and they were successful. But only having one kid is a pain. Good luck.