Teaching in a Korean Public School: Parents classes

[qiranger]

Teaching parents at a school is usually so hard. Usually, they are also judging your ability to teach them as to how well you can teach their children!

[MParquee]

@qiranger I get that feeling from them as well at times! Really despite that fact it's a free class for them and there's no curriculum etc, they're the one's you've to work erxtra hard for!

[JoeCubicle]

I just had a funny thought. You might get a very teachable parent, he/she will study well and practice all the time and someday will talk to another English speaker. The English speaker will ask the Korean person: Your English really good, is that an Irish accent" ?

[MParquee]

@JoeCubicle Haha, that could happen! Most of the Koreans with really good English tend to have an American accent as they learn American English and a lot of them travel to America for study. Occasionally you'll hear one who has a UK accent as they've chosen to go to the UK or had a teacher from England and that can be a little weird!

[bjjvancouver]

I would teach "conversational" English to the parents. My experience was that teaching adults was easier than K-12 (in the US public school & volunteer work w/ Asian immigrants).

Teaching parents how to order food with a menu, greeting people in the morning, afternoon, evening. Using Western movies, commercials, pop cultures for lessons.

Also, teaching listening skills; having parents listen to a short sentence & repeat/mimic. You can create lots of lesson just on listening speaking.

[MParquee]

@bjjvancouver Cool thanks for the advice. Will try to use some of those methods you mentioned.

[MyGlobalCitizenship]

I used to teach adults in Busan. For many of them the English class was a way to go socialize and meet new people.Do you teach them in the evening? Are you allowed to take your class out to restaurants or pubs? I used to go out with my adult class at least once a week during class time. It was in the evening...very convenient to go to restaurants and drink a bit. You can make great friends by doing this...and they will open up to you and tell you exactly what they expect from your class! :)

[MParquee]

@MyGlobalCitizenship Can't really do that unfortunately. I teach them during school hours and it's for one class a week while they wait to pick their kids up. I'd like to be more sociable with them but it's really I think because they're just bored that they're doing the classes!

[bry0000000]

I was pretty lucky in S. Korea in that I only taught children. In Japan, I had lots of older students, and keeping them interested was very difficult.

[MParquee]

@bry0000000 It is a bit tougher I think. At least I only have one class of it a week!

[chrismecking]

I can understand your concerns about teaching parents!! But do parents, specially Korean parents, really like to play those games!? Could be a hard start?!?

Liked that Vlog about teaching in a public elementary school...still no teacher ;), but still interesting!! Have a great weekend, till tomorrow then!!

[MParquee]

@chrismecking They like playing some games. You have to warm them to the idea though, I know as we all get older we're more reserved and cautious about making fools of ourselves playing games in a classroom environment with other adult learners. However they can get quite into the games. Thanks for the comment! I'll be away today unfortunately so no video! I'll try get two up tomorrow!

[Sindy0213]

I will say its harder to teach adults...esp if you dont have anything to kinda follow! Thnking discussion type class you were on bout is good i think. When i was learning english, i used to watch films and talk bout it, one of my teachers wrote the script of it but leave some blanks and you have to listen nd fill up - so listening part of english..thnk it could be useful? or ..maybe its too much of an effort! lol

[MParquee]

@Sindy0213 Haha, that's not a bad idea! A lot of effort for one class though! I honestly think they're just looking for a quick fix of English which they can learn for the one class a week they do while waiting to pick their kids up!

[NakashimaKentaChan]

woooot :D

[MParquee]

@NakashimaKentaChan Haha, thanks for the comment!