Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ella]

I have an advanced discussion class with students in their twenties and thirties. What topics should we stay away from? Also, does anyone have experience with topics that worked particularly well with these age groups?

[tzechuk]

North Korea- unless you want a full blown debate with them. But remember it'll be You against Them.

Japan - same reason

USA - same reason

They will work well, too - because they are quite passionate about it.

I have found one particularly interesting topic recently on the FTA agreement - but I have business students and this was an international trade course... not biz English.. so I don't know if that'd make any difference..

[Jeweltone]

There is an older book called "20 Korean Controversies" that I used for my uni public speaking/debate class that worked rather well (seniors-mid to late twenties).

It might be out of print, but I have seen copies at What the Book in Itaewon. Otherwise, PM me, and I will try and help you locate a copy. Some of the topics are a little outdated (ex. dogmeat at World Cup 2002) but you can extend the readings/critical thinking questions into a lively discussion.

I let my students choose four topics from the Table of Contents in the "Controversies" book. They went for the sex/gender topics (adultery, prostitution, etc.), but were quite well-mannered and thoughtful in their presentations. Be careful with these topics however; some students (usually men, surprisingly) are "shy" about them. The girls were highly active on discussing "lookism" (getting a job based on appearance) and, not surprisingly, gender roles.

Also, the "Express Yourself" Series is a good place to start, for high intermediate to advanced students (there are lower levels by the same author also). I have had good luck with both books because they are highly adaptable to different circumstances and levels.

I also keep myself updated on issues in Korea (breaking apart of the family unit, FTA, K Pop star suicides, etc.), and I occasionally print news articles from the Korean Herald or Seoul Times (English edition). The students seem to enjoy having "meat" to chew on rather than "milk" and I have found that their language level goes up DRASTICALLY when they are challenged and intrigued by a topic. Don't be afraid to whack the wasp's nest occasionally.

I guess that was rather long-winded, but I hope it helps.

[Cerriowen]

This is more of a "what to do" vs what not to do. I did a debate/conversation class for a year with different guys. They had a really hard time disagreeing with anyone older. Being the "odd one out" was terribly painful for them, so they would totally conform.

So what I did was explained the concept of devils advocate. I would present different viewpoints, and then "assign" the viewpoints to people, and then tell them that they had to think of ways to defend it. Even though they didn't believe it. That really helped relax things because then they could put up the face of 'Oh it was just a game'. Later they didn't have to do that once they were comfortable.

[butlerian]

I think you'll have to wait until you actually see and talk to your students before you can be pretty sure what topics to avoid.

[diablo3]

avoid religion and politics.
try to avoid international issues derived by CNN also because not many Koreans watch it (be it by choice or lack of time)

[crazykiwi]

the "F" word was always an interseting topic. granted your students are mature enough to get over the giggle factor of it. mine were amzed at the many different uses for it! they thought there was just one, and only one! there is also a pretty good video on it somewhere on youtube. ill try to find it for you.

[Homer]

I would say it depends on:

a) The Students you have in the class...each group has a personality.

b) How you present the topic.

However as the goal is to teach English...the topic needs to one the student will feel confortable with and not a topic the teacher wants to discuss because they want to teach culture instead of language.

So..

North Korea- It can work if presented properly. Talk about Unification for example. Or the Sunshine policy of Kim Dae jung if they are advanced enough.

Japan - Can be done but you need to present it properly. Trying to start a topic about why Japan did nothing wrong will not work...it is not the place of an English teacher to start Historical revisionism....

USA - Good topic, many aspects to explore.

International trade is a good one.

The Environment too.

In short, think of topics your students will want to discuss and will feel confortable with. Topics that will generate discussion and possibly debate. However, avoid cultural preaching like some of us do. For example, do not try to force a discussion on same sex marriage because you believe it is right and needs to be discussed unless you are convinced your class is confortable discussing this.

In short, it is about your students learning, not about the teacher making cultural points...but..I am sure you know that!

[spliff]

Sex, god and the King!

[ajuma]

[yingwenlaoshi]

Dildos and vibrators: the power that women hold over men.

[yingwenlaoshi]

Yeehaw, stick it in your gramma: bringing incest to a higher level

[Aussiekimchi]

Anything that shines a negative light on Korea you probably want to stay away from.
No one wants to hear a visitor making social commentaries on things they have no idea about.