Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xox]

I am doing after school classes with ten 3rd grade students who want to get ready for their entrance exams to Foreign Language High schools. The majority of them have high English abilities (lived abroad) and the rest just attends English Hagwons. But they do range from intermediate to advance so I wanted to ask if anyone could recommend books for debate, and if they have ever done this before with a group of students?
Today was the first class and I sat down individually with all of them and asked what they would like to be taught. They weren't so keen on reading but they wanted debates, speech and essay writings.
thanks for any help and suggestions.

[Scouse Mouse]

This site has been a lifesaver for me with a similar situation. Pick a topic, let them thrash it out, and use the questions to stimulate conversation when needed.

http://iteslj.org/questions/

These classes are my favourite classes of the week

[robot]

here's a ton of ideas:

http://www.middleschooldebate.com/topics/topiclists.htm

[VinnyPaz]

Check out, Discover Debate by Michael Lubetsky, Charles LeBeau, and David Harrington. It has what an ESL Debate class needs most, lots of structure. From brainstorming to presentation, this book creates a perfect map for preparing and articulating your ideas. I've used this book with amazing results, tossing in my own topics (such as school uniforms) using the books format just to make it more interesting for the students.

[ddeubel]

I have so much I could share on this topic! And so "hot' these days.

I have to redo my course folders for my debate/discussion classes and then I'll relink and post up for all on my site. Some cool activities, resources. Pages of topics. Stay tuned and I'll also post up on my community. Got to wait until tomorrow when my desktop is "hopefully" fixed by the Samsung guy. Just died last week, ughhhhh

For the moment, I do have some material our shared media fire account on eflclassroom.

DD

[xox]

another question i wanted to ask: does anyone know what entrance exams are like for foreign language high schools? the kids have said there is an interview, display of talent, toiec test...
what is asked duing the interview? it is not stuff about themselves is it?

[robot]

finding material for FLHS prep is hard.

some sample questions online, but they're in korean.

the interview and writing often consists of a question related to school life, the future, and korea.

here are a range of some i posted before:
- - - - -

What is your opinion of students� school freedom of hair style and freedom of dress? Explain

Who is a historical figure whom you admire? Explain.

What is a good way to use the students� rest area? Explain.

Do you agree with the following statement? �Playing a game is fun only when you win.� Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Students now days are busy learning many things in school and outside of school in academies. In your opinion, what is the most important character needed to succeed in the future in Korea?

The popularity to study overseas is becoming greater and greater in Korea. The college education system in Korea is losing some of the brightest students to overseas universities. What one thing can Korean education do to bring the students back to the Korean education system?

Teachers are very important in school and to students. What is the most important characteristic of a good teacher?

Many students speak English, at least a little, and language is emphasized in many schools in Korea. What is an advantage, however, of learning a foreign language?

Class sizes in Korean classrooms have gotten smaller from almost 70 students per class to now about 35 per class. What is an advantage of a small class size?

The APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) met in Busan recently. The leaders of the Pacific Rim countries, including the United States, Japan, China, Canada and Australia, among many others, want to encourage cooperation between the individual countries. What is the one characteristic needed by the leaders of the countries to be able to work together peacefully? Explain.

[mack4289]

It could also help to start reading a Korean newspaper in English regularly, if you don't already do that. If these kids are interested in current events, there's a lot happening right now in Korea that would make good debate topics.

[Alyallen]

[VinnyPaz]

[Alyallen]

[Fishead soup]

Small Group Discussion Topics for High school students and Beginners
By Jack Matire.

[ddeubel]

I've had a couple emails about materials for debate. So I've posted up some but will have a lot more of very super stuff when my home desktop gets fixed (it just stopped, I'm desperate!).

Look here. http://www.esnips.com/web/DebateandDiscussion

Usually the mediafire account folders are only for members of my EFL community but I'll make an exception here.........find more at

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=d69447247921c717b163b6bb5b09832a8c01e1eac5c2b7bd

I'll take a look at the book cited above too....

DD

[xox]

thanks everyone for the help.
I'm going to see if I can find that book.
Did you get it in Seoul somewhere Vinny?