It seems that this is working far better than I have ever anticipated. My students are asking for the Chopsticks on a daily basis, and I even have students that never spoke before answer questions with confidence. That I can't quite explain yet, but the fact that they are realizing they can work hard to find the words and still have fun is fantastic. Now, if only I can get this to work for my older students!
In the past eight months that I have been in SK I have taught almost all the levels in my hagwon. The levels are as such, Phonics, Hop1(pre-beginner), Map1(Beginner), Leap1(Intermediate) and Elite. There are also TEPS and Genius levels to which a)I have not taught, and b)it preps them for university entrance exams. The hagwon also has middle school classes which are strictly taught by Korean teachers. Now, Phonics, is no longer taught by Foreign teachers, as they are now taught by Korean teachers. My Elite classes, TEPS and Genius classes will also be given to the Korean teachers once end of August rolls around.
I have had the greatest time with each class, and I feel it a privileged to have conversed about diverse subjects with my Elite class. To hear what they have to say about such things as morals, science, new forms of technology, just to name a few, was a great experience. However, it brings to mind one of the most interesting articles we've read, and it came from a book titled Express Yourself, and the article is 'Studying English.'
To begin let me explain what the article entails. The article, in brief, discusses how important it is for countries around the world to learn English. Moreover, Koreans are one of the few that 'knows how to go about it effectively.' The article goes on to say that most of the linguistic structures of Korean and English are very different, evidently, and that an understanding of grammar is necessary in learning the language. On the other hand, although foreigners don't speak in a grammatical sense they certainly can still communicate their ideas and needs decently. The main point here is that foreigners speak and listen to the language and don't simply learn a plethora of vocabulary and grammatical structures when learning another language. I quote from the article; "It is even the sad truth that, despite a large vocabulary and deep grammatical knowledge, most Koreans do not write in English very well, either." It takes much practice. To listen to the intonation of sentences and the pronunciation of words, then to mimic what they hear is how they can truly understand what it is they want to communicate.
Furthermore, what is amiss is how the lack of proficiency can impede on the advancement of the Korean economy, since the world does its business in English. Their resolution to this issue is to make English a requirement in their university entrance exam.
Now here's what I am really concerned about. These higher levels are all going to Korean teachers. Let me first say that it has nothing to do with the fact that they are given to Korean teachers, I have nothing against them. It's more about the fact that the chances of Korean being spoken during the 45-50mins of class time are greater than if they were with Foreign English speaking teachers.
Many schools in and around the city have set important standards for their English environment, and they take it quite seriously! Their number one rule is no speaking Korean upon entering school grounds. The more students par-take in speaking English with their teachers and find consistency the more they will find themselves improving. It's been proven through many forms of education systems that rote learning is not conducive to any proper form of educating children, no matter the subject.
Whether it's paying more money or somehow browbeating teachers pride and honor have some people taking leaps and bounds in doing whatever it takes to have their child leveled up, even if its before they're ready. Yet, their resolve is to (perhaps in jest) "marry an American and move to the States." In reality, further impeding the growth of their economy.
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