Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jambonsambo]

I see each class of kids for one hour every week , i have thirty classes a week , its tough to gauge how much they progress with so little contact time , also the kids are beginning to become very bored as am I with the hagwons sylabus which ranges from way too easy to stupidly difficult

can any more experienced teachers give me some fresh ideas of ways to teach and keep things interesting , any pointers are much appreciated

[Yu_Bum_suk]

If you're only seeing them once a week you should try to focus on doing the things the KTs can't or don't do. Think of yourself as a supplementary teacher more than the person who's going to teach them most of the English they'll learn.

Do your lessons have themes? If so, try to bring in extra materials that compliment such themes. If it's about food and restaurants, for instance, have them make their own menus and practice taking orders.

[moosehead]

have you sat down with your director and discussed the syllabus with them?

i have always been frank and honest when it comes to teaching material and it's always been welcomed - directors hired you for your knowledge, they really do want the students to be happy -

think about all the things you want to talk about with the materials, make a list and before you meet with your dir, itemize your suggestions and what you would like to change

i've taken trips to the bookstore with my dir, or even once a dir gave me her credit card num and authorization to buy whatever i need on the scholastic website -

you are not isolated unless you let yourself be -

also ask the kids what they would rather be working with - you'll want to show your dir the kids aren't happy either and why

hope this helps -

moosehead