Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mrsquirrel]

What exactly is co-teaching?

I've got a demo lesson to do with my co-teachers next month or so. Problem is that so far it's been solo teaching on my part. Never actually done any co-teaching.

Any good websites or places to read up on how to effectively co-teach?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

They probably want to watch a rehearsed dog-and-pony show. Give your 'co'-teacher some things to translate for you and get him / her to explain the grammar behind some of what you are teaching. Use A/V aids for part of the lesson. Dress well, smile, and bow. Then go back to teaching your usual style the next day.

[mrsquirrel]

That is the general plan just now.

Not actually sure what it's all about though.

Just read a few websites and the general consensus is that team-teaching is a load of arse and confusing.

[Yu_Bum_suk]

[Scouse Mouse]

I just did my first observation class...

The co-teacher took one of my 45 minute lesson plans and then made it longer by adding 5 minutes at the beginning, 5 minutes at the end and then adding aonther 10 minute activity.

I suggested a trial run and so I went to one of her classes during a free period I had last week. Sure enough, there was no time for the largest activity (a 20 minute one). I told her that she should make it shorter but as she was being assessed I would do whatever she felt was necessary. As we needed to make some more materials I offered to sort all that out whilst she made the lesson plan shorter...

She did do some work, but it involved making a powerpoint presentation to ensure that some of the work could be covered with less explanation. We planned to have one more trial run today but instead the observation got moved forward. The class was ok... the kids had been told to be there early so that we had the full 45 minutes...

We started the class, and after a few minutes some arseholes came in to video it - so they had to set up their 2 video cameras. The disruption meant that we still managed to over-run and so the 5 minute summary was not done. My co-teacher was quite upset as she was to be assessed on it, but I checked with the observers and they were sure it was ok (or at least that is what they tell me).

Either way... the whole thing was a waste of time because we will never use that class again... It is more an exercise in showing the ideal class rather than a real class. The kids were even prepped beforehand and so were ultra-quiet when the teachers were speaking, and fully participated in every activity. They were also told to never question us and so were really watching pantomime when they should have been learning.

[icnelly]

I head the demo is for other native speakers as well. It will be native speakers and the co-teachers from your area who come to watch you.

Anyone else have more info?

[ilovebdt]

[mehamrick]

[Scouse Mouse]

[shantaram]

I have one on Thursday. The KT wrote up a lesson plan which had her doing everything except for a 5 minute summary of holidays in my home country. We changed things around and argued over who would greet the children. Her English is not good enough to even handle that part of the class to be honest and she never leads the class ordinarily. Should I continue to fight with her about it? She seems to think she is the only one being assessed. Last time the class was assessed she was criticised for dominating it, and they said it was a waste of time having me there if I wasn't going to speak (despite it never being this way ordinarily- and despite me making several attempts to speak and being cut off by the co-teacher).

[spliff]

Already did mine, piece of cake...and my cT was quite helpful as well.

[ilovebdt]

[ilovebdt]

[Letiz7]

This is fascinating reading. I attended one with my lovely co-teacher on Tuesday. I failed to spot how set-up it all was, or rather, I failed to tow the line and applaud every comment made in the feedback session.

When it was my turn to add a comment, I simply stood up and said, 'can you clone those kids and drop them off at my school when you're done.'

I sat down to silence....

[spliff]

So...when's yours? Better be good...