Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mehamrick]

My public school has their tests on the 17th. I asked the teachers what they were doing for the English portion, and if they needed any help. They said, "oh they are all finished". I asked if I could see them she said "sure". I get a stack of papers and I am looking at them and say, "I want the English tests". She says, "those are the English tests"... WTF Ther is not one English word on it. Is this common in your schools?

I am politely raising my concerns about this, but I think they are falling on deaf ears.

Your thoughts?

[seoulman1]

wtf didnt you know? English is now actually Korean..

[mehamrick]

Yeah... having a brainfart today...

[CasperTheFriendlyGhost]

Classic. I'd rub that in their noses for at least 6 months.

[jaderedux]

That is why I suggested that I put a few questions on the test all in English. Much to my surprise they agreed. And now on all exams I have 5 or 6 questions all in English.

Many of the questions they write are in Korean but the answers are written in English. While the system isn't perfect. I can usually figure out the questions by the answers they have under the questions.

When I first started it was not always that way but as I have been here longer I have noticed more and more English on the tests. My five questions and all answers seem to be in English. So we are making headway in my Middle school.

If you are doing true co-teaching I think you will find them open to new ideas and writing exam questions in English. I also use the book for at least the dialogue lesson. If you are relevant to the curriculum you are more likely to be able to insert your questions in exams. It isn't always easy doing that but I can see improvements in the students...baby steps my friend baby steps.

Jade

[Real Reality]

[mehamrick]

I got my 4th grade teachers to use English. Hell they put it all in English I had them add some Korean instructions. The 5th and 6th grade teachers will not budge though. All the questions I use are coming from the books that the kids have.. As much as I hate them.

I guess it's more frustrating knowing when I had a Spanish or German test there was no English on it.

[Juregen]

[bosintang]

I think as long as they're using multiple-choice tests to judge English ability, they can write it in Khmer for all that matters.

Incidentally, I had a student last year who was an overseas returnee, educated in America, first year in a Korean school. He didn't get the highest mark in the class because in a couple of questions, he didn't quite understand the question that was written in Korean.

[jdenn]