Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CanKorea]

Hey all!

I and another coworker have been asked to think of ways to teach a TOEFLesque writing class. It's not exactly TOEFL but still supposed to prepare them for it.

We're supposed to concentrate on writing, listen/speaking, and reading.

Any ideas on how to approach this? We'd have middleschool aged students.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks! Cheers,

[Corporal]

Well, as far as writing goes: the basics of essay writing are pretty simple. Just familiarize them with the main concepts: introduction (where you say what you're gonna talk about), topic sentences at the start of paragraphs, three or more basic paragraphs where you prove their point/say what you want to say (remember, the strongest argument should be saved for the last) and conclusion, where you just basically sum up/re-state what you'd been saying all along. Sounds boring, and it probably will be boring to read, but that's the basic form they need to start practicing and getting comfortable with.

I've no idea if that's the kind of help you were looking for, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.

[kimcheeking]

Popular writing resources include the Mosaic series and Weaving it Together, both of which can be purchased at major bookstores. I also highly recommend Great Essays by Keith S. Folse, A. Muchmore-Vokoun, & E.Vestri Solomon.

check out the following sites

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
http://www.geocities.com/frankie_meehan/

There are tons of other useful sites for writing. Just do a google search for esl writing. Based on 3 years of academic writing (teaching experience) I would recommend teaching a paragraph first. Most Koreans do not know how to put a paragraph together that is coherent and unified. Additionally they do not know how to properly format a paragraph. Sentences will start on a new line - every single one. You will also have very poor logic.

KK

[CanKorea]

Thanks for the advice guys! I really appreciate it.

Basically, we're trying to figure out how to teach students essay writing who would be at about a Grade 6 level. We decided that starting at the bare basics (intro, body, conclusion) would be a good idea.