ESL Teaching Tips

[makeiteasyable]

i have no idea ah..

[WarrivarNeo]

so...fucking...true...in Saigon i did suck for the first few months then i realized exactly what you said in this video...good work man

[49ification]

What a douche. You give teachers a bad name man.

[almar6100]

it totally depends on the situation... once you've taught about 1000 classes, and you only teach a class once every three weeks, you should have no shortage of things to do.

Once every three weeks is easy, now, same students every day for five hours... that's hard,

[almar6100]

@almar6100 oh, he is right about sucking at first. And the name tags. If you tell them to do something, do it. If you give, they will take forever, and then you are finished.

[sociald1991]

you're great. thanks for making me laugh AND learn.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@sociald1991

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

I think that too many instructional videos are dry and forgettable.

I had fun with this one.

[TheJeleb]

Okay... so 7 years before I plan on going to Korea, I already know exactly how I'm going to teach my classes, control them and have fun. Great. >_< I better not forget this in 7 years time...

[pr9301]

What a tool.

[mziwewonga]

awesome vid man made me laugh and it was educational u still in korea?

[theheadlessrabbit]

@mziwewonga

I was only in Korea for a year, I've been back in Canada since late 2008.

Thanks for watching, I hope you found the info helpful.

[mziwewonga]

@theheadlessrabbit Loved the Vid man posted it on my TEFL Facebook page and i'll be referring to it when i land in Korea in April, quick question, who was the lady sleeping over in your death fan vid?

[theheadlessrabbit]

@mziwewonga

She is a friend of mine who I met while I was over there.

[derekcalzad]

don't mean to discredit ya or anything. But Jangso and Jongsu aren't common names in a korean class. Usually the students choose an English name or a short Korean name like June. Which will make it easier to remember. You don't need name tags either, just have the students sit in the same seat and make a seating chart during the first class. This will save the time from having to track down missing name tags or the tangled mess of tags for 22 different classes.

[robinmadrid]

Agree TTT (teacher talk time) is the greatest challenge of every teacher. It's an art learning to talk just enough to get the students going. Of course there is a world of difference between having 2-3 students and having 30 students

[dyeghorocks]

Man , that is so ODD.... I am an English Teacher and I am NOT a native! and its just about none of what you´ve said right now!

[TheAntonioOcana]

Some good tips, but also some things I disagree with. I like the them talking vs. you talking lesson plan idea (even though you answering questions has you dominating half of there talking time if not more). I don't think you should have "time killer" activities, but I think you should have extra activities with a purpose, or certain items that you can use for a variety of different esl focus actives (i.e. pictures of destinations, etc.) Also, I know all my students names without names tags.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@TheAntonioOcana

Time kill may not have been the best word. I never intended to waste the students time, By "time kill" I mean an activity that isn't necessary to the lesson, but can reinforce the ideas or vocabulary.

Pictures of destinations is something I never though of; good idea!

I had something kind of similar: cards with pictures of simple nouns and verbs. Younger students were asked to name what's on the cards, while older students made simple sentences from the words.

[GIG2UAMEN]

interesting. could you give some advices on teaching university students from a male dominated institution? Thanks

[theheadlessrabbit]

@GIG2UAMEN

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to work with any university students, so I'm afraid I can't offer you any advice on that.

There is a lot of info out there on the net which can act as a good starting place; best of luck to you.

[xDeathshardx]

I taught my first ESL class to adults tonight and I SUCKED SO BAD.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@xDeathshardx

Ouch. Not to worry. I've heard that adult classes can be very hard. It really depends on the group you are with. Keep at it; you will get better with practice. Best of luck.

[jaydenwashere]

Thank you for this video.

I found it really helpful.

I'm going to look at your others for sure XD

I'm saving up so that I can do the Advanced TESOL Diploma so that I can teach over in South Korea. I'm excited XD

[theheadlessrabbit]

@jaydenwashere

Thank you.

Good luck on your overseas adventures.

TESOL is a great thing to have. If your contract works out to be similar to mine, I believe you can earn an extra $100/month or so with one of those. And hopefully, with the TESOL knowledge, you wont be lost those first few weeks.

[diasdediasdedias]

eslvoice.com

[MooseheadDrinker]

ESL teaching gets boring quick!

I only lasted 8 months.

[Leadcrow]

Love your video!!!! I need to stop sucking at teaching my students NOW! XD

[colombiano4420]

hi i am an esl student and yeah is right what you are saying now i'm just about to get out of esl i am in avanced  altought i have problem in writing i am trying to get more english and to learn it good

[TheAntonioOcana]

@colombiano4420 I teach English in Colombia, where are you from? I lived in Bogotá, but now I am in Medellín.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@TheAntonioOcana

I actually have a friend who is learning Spanish in Bogata!

I'm from Canada.

[colombiano4420]

@TheAntonioOcana im from medellin now i live NEW JERSEY. im just gonna be in regular english classes next year this year im just fixing my writing and my speaking . where were you born man?

[TheAntonioOcana]

@colombiano4420 Born in Kansas, raised in Michigan, living in Medellín, por que tu sabes, Medellín es una Chimba parce

[colombiano4420]

@TheAntonioOcana ave maria esta si es la actitud brother en q municipio vives

[tomsega]

It's nice to know that everyone is going to suck. I leave for Korea in about 10 days and I'm sure I will.

Regarding the lesson plan, I see what you're getting at saying it should be uncomplicated. Indeed I'm going there with the assumption they'll basically just want me to converse casually. However, I see all these in-depth ESL lessons about vowel sounds, grammar etc and, having no plan at all for that sort of thing, I'm nervous. Is that sort of stuff not expected when teaching 8-12yr olds?

[theheadlessrabbit]

@tomsega

you do have to focus on that stuff, but it is important to be flexible and let the students speak.

Standing in front of the classroom and lecturing about each sound, then moving on won't help anyone. Come up with activities that force the students to speak and listen, focus on one sound at a time, let them interact, be prepared to stick with something for a long time, or skip ahead when they get it. L and R, and F can be quick 15 minute lessons, but V can be tricky, etc.

[theheadlessrabbit]

2 things that I found work well for letting the teacher know if they get it or not are broken telephone races - using sentences with lots of L, R, F, V and TH sounds forces them to listen and speak carefully.

another option: Bingo with tiles like Light/Right, Van/Fan/Pan. have one student read out the words while others mark cards, rotate the speaker often. this lets you drill some vocabulary, focus on sounds, practice speaking and listening. the students are doing everything.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@theheadlessrabbit

of course, it's not all fun and games, have a little introductory lesson, but remember, many of them wont understand it, so focus on activities that get them using the language.

I usually went in this order: Lesson --> activity --> fun activity --> Game

Alway try to start low energy and work your way up. once they get excited, it is VERY hard to calm them back down.

[theheadlessrabbit]

@H3l1Y4

thank you. I'm glad you found this video helpful. good luck on your overseas ESL teaching adventure.

[talulah123]

mean your vid is fake and mean im flaggin this!

[alexnyc75]

you suck and so do your "tips".

your lesson plan is all about killing time, and that;s a good lesson plan? alright mr. teacher!!

[talulah123]

@alexnyc75 ye i hate this guy or shall i say... HES A BULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­wtf bullys are nasty people but your great and cool

[F4DiNhO]

im a middle eastern i came to australia 4 years ago i didn't know any english, now i speak it but with an accent, and my ESL teacher is really good and helping us as much as she could. My writing and answering question on a piece of paper is good but my speaking is not that good but i can still communicate with people but with an accent. AND I HATE IT

[theheadlessrabbit]

@F4DiNhO

I don't have any experience with accent training, so I can't offer any advice on that, but my attitude for language education is that communication is what is most important. if people can understand what you are saying, than what difference does an accent make?

Don't be too hard on yourself. Keep on working at it!

Best of luck.

[F4DiNhO]

@theheadlessrabbit yes it does, because some people just laugh at you and make you more nervious than you are when you make a little mistake, and dont be like my teacher and tell me not to care because i do lol. thank you very much

[theheadlessrabbit]

@F4DiNhO

I'm sorry to hear that.

I really wish I could help you with some accent training, but I don't really know much about it, other than practice a lot, and listen carefully to TV and radio to get used to the English sounds and speech patterns.

maybe find an accent coach?

good luck.

[edwinro77]

awesome

Thank you!!!

[ffascinus]

I really hope you re not an ESL teacher....

[laughorce]

Sound advice! Simpler plans usually DO lead to more talking, and flexibility. Took me about a year to figure that out and slowly release my desperate grip on those painstakingly "crafted" plans (some of us are slower than others). Smile= you failed. Harsh but sadly true. "Do you want to die?" lol (True: never say it out loud. But think it as often as your sanity requires...)

[peacewalker7]

thank you this is so helpful. I"m not a teacher yet but thinking of being one, and not wanting to fail or suck!

I need to find more helpful videos like this, with more ppls experience

[wbrutus22]

HILARIOUS!!! I'm in Jeju now and I just got here. Its going to be, um..interesting!

[DM2009DM]

If only each and every teacher and the members of all Ministries of Education could hear you on the big elaborate teaching plans that usually fail !! :))))

[darialois]

this is funny and helpful

thanks.

[snowyme23]

5*

thanks

[ReduceYourAccentLA]

Happy New Year 2010 from the USA

Accent Reduction Coach

Online Classes

Los Angeles Classes

Thanks.

Happy New Year from the USA.

[davec432]

I agree about the lesson plans. Keep it simple and make sure the students do most of the talking. Send your time on thinking about what should go into the lesson instead of wasting your time on some fancy lesson plan that no one will ever see. Monitor and adjust as needed.

[useahammer]

It's good to see someone who knows what he's talking about, isn't long-winded and doesn't come off as a pretentious bullshit artist.

[theheadlessrabbit]

Thank you.

I was so frustrated by the lack of *good* ESL tips out there.

I was struggling with my lessons, and couldn't find much advice that went beyond "photocopy this page, read this script, etc." and that wasn't the help I needed.

After months of teaching less-than-great lessons, I tried to express the kinds of info and tips that I needed months earlier, hoping to help other ESL teachers get started.

sort of a "things I wish I knew when I started"

Thanks for watching.

[CDBigShow]

I want to be an ESL Teacher, I'm going to College to get my Teacher's cert. and then to get a ESL cert. How big is the japanese ESL job market?

[theheadlessrabbit]

Japan and Korea both have a huge demand for ESL teachers, but the competition is much higher in Japan.

but with an ESL cert, your odds of getting in will be much better. good luck!

[lenordlion]

Do they know a little English then when you first start?? If not then how are questions being asked? You can't seriously be telling me you did this everyday for a whole year?

[theheadlessrabbit]

Yes, they know a little bit before I start, but their is a wide range of abilities in the classroom. Some can't even write their own name in English, while others are capable of having a full conversation in English.

This was the lesson plan I used for the very first day. there were about 50 other lessons plans, it wasn't a full year of just introductions.

[cakemagic]

I'm about to head out for an interview for teaching ESL in Japan XP

I love your lesson plan scribbled on the back of a napkin! It has calmed me down a bit.

[bboycrazyjames]

you are great, im moving to seoul for this next week, where are you based?

[theheadlessrabbit]

I was based out of jincheon, a tiny town 2 hours south east of seoul, when i filmed this.

But now, I'm back in Canada.

good luck in Seoul. its a great city.

[seiferzion]

Thanks. I'm a new ESL teacher, and I felt like yesterday I sucked. You've given me a bit of inspiration!

[theheadlessrabbit]

you are very welcome. When I first started, I felt very lost, no textbook, no curriculum, no guidance, no idea how to put together a lesson plan, nothing. I worked really hard the 1st few months, I made a lot of mistakes.

Hopefully these videos can help a few others not make the same mistakes I did.

I'm very glad to hear you got something out of this.

[andwhatfire]

thanks man! i think there was some good advise mixed in there. hopefully i get to try it out!

[newtekken]

great suggestions.

[kevin1711]

mhh why you dont make a video that is 2 seconds long in that you say : HEY IM A BOB! :D

[thesurreal21]

I just missed 4:04 minutes of my life...

[mephisto12954]

2:48 !!

XD

[TeachESL]

I don't have more than about twelves students in a class and most of them are Russian names which I can remember quite easily. But he is right when he says that most of the class time should be taken up by the students talking. Otherwise, I didn't get much from this.

[disarmedpianist]

LMAO!!! omg, i couldn't stop laughing at 2:48!!! the names thing is SO true! & the lesson plan too hahahaha

[PrinceNightFox]

Love it! juk ji ma! (Don't die) I'm in Vietnam teaching ESL.

I have some korean classes, & I find "ha ji ma" (don't do it!) comes in handy.

Every now and then I will say "Na nin HyeonJu-ee mongmongee uh" (I am HyeonJu's puppy) just to see how they react.

My favorite is "chaaaaaaaaal han da!" when they do something stupid, like trip in class (if you hold out the chaaal & and raise your tone on 'han da' it's like saying good job sarcastically to someone who does the wrong homework assignment)

[theheadlessrabbit]

Ha! your Korean is much better than mine. I wish I knew this phrase back then.

I'm going to have to use these when my Korean sister comes back here for school. na nin hyeonju ee mongmongee is going to go over great. she loves dogs.

[PrinceNightFox]

Just make sure to say "Na nin [sister's name]-ee mongmongeeuh" .. not "HyeonJu-ee" ... otherwise you're saying that you're some random girl's dog. @_@

And I don't really know that much Korean, what I listed is pretty much all that I remember, other than "Anyeong Ha Say Oh!" I also remember "Chal hit ta" but I don't remember what it means....

[yourfriendlydragon]

hahahahaha :)k funny stuff, and totally true!!! Still there's always a fine line between fun and learning, and what your school really wants. I teach esl to primary kids at a private school in China. at our school we have to do both. it means you have to smile half the time, and pretend to choke them the other half!!! hahhahahah :)k

[gavmeconi]

oh god this reminds me of my first semester. i truly felt that i was putting in more effort than the students were and that i was wasting my time for crap hours and not enough pay. BUT i did learn their names, granted they were Polish and not Korean :)

[theblessedlunatic]

I teach English in Japan and this is universally applicable. I wish I'd thought to have the students make name tags; now I've been here three months and it's too late to plausibly pull off. But yeah, this is pretty much the most awesome thing I've ever seen. So you worked for a public school? Did you get that job through a placement company of some sort, or did you apply directly to the school? I'm interested in maybe going to Korea after my tenure in Japan is up, is why I'm asking.

[troyeharkin]

I'm starting my 2nd year of teaching here. It's very true what you say. We all suck when we first get here. We just have to try and suck a little less everyday.

[jeffiers2233]

No offence, but I'd be pretty worried if you were teaching my children...

[learnamericanenglish]

I didn't watch the whole video, but he's probably describing the experience of working with adults or college-aged students. In that case, I'll bet he's a pretty good teacher and here he's simply passing on the benefit of his experience. I wish more teachers would do this.

[deejaihuajai]

all so true! i admire you for not making them use western names

[theheadlessrabbit]

Thanks.

I wouldn't want to impose a western name on any of my students.

I never let a French teacher give me a french name, and I wouldn't do that to any of my students, either.

If they wanted a western name, and they came to be, I would be willing to help them out. they often have trouble telling girl's names from boy's names. (I have the same problem with Korean names)

[PrinceNightFox]

Amen. I can never figure out boys names from girls names in Korea. I mean Kwon JaeHee is one of my best friends (a girl in her 20's) and so I added her to my facebook ... but it ended up being a completely different JaeHee... a guy with kids. Ya..

[lilquela]

"if it's the first month of the school year and you're smiling - you fail." +

Sooo true!!!

Thanks for the video, man!

[PrinceNightFox]

I don't quite understand that point.

[sillypanda85]

nice video, do you teach in public schools? I'm just wondering because I have far fewer students, but more classes...

[theheadlessrabbit]

yes, i taught for the public schools. 1st half, i had 3 schools, 2nd year, 2 schools, lots of students. way too many.

[turnthegasoff]

absolutely brilliant

thank you

[solidskorpion]

LOL, you my man, have real experience :) cheers.

[theheadlessrabbit]

thanks.

i've sat though many lectures and classes, teaching how to teach. i have many family members wo work as teachers, talking about teaching.

but none of it comes close to describing the actual experience of teaching.

you learn the most by doing.

and it takes time before you can do it well.

[Phelixfil]

Some sound advice! In the early days I am sure that I worked considerably harder than all my students combined!

[200609]

So what happens when when you yell, "do you want to die?"

[theheadlessrabbit]

the students usually laugh at me when I threaten to kill them.

note: I don't really threaten to kill my students. I find that throwing one out the window usually gets the point accross to the class quite nicely.

[libramoonchild]

hahah, i love this kyle! "if it's the first month of the school year and you're smiling - you fail."

[Crystalsaint]

spoken with much wisdom ... lol ... i like your other clips too so please continue with those too

[djsproductions]

kyle this video should be featured on youtube!!! It's brilliant! Awesome job hahaha.