magazine

5 Things Working at MTV taught me about teaching ESL

Filed under GAP YEAR TRAVEL, Teaching English by Christine Ka'aloa on January 11, 2011 at 8:04 pm {11 comments}

Before moving to live and teach abroad in Korea, I had a career in producing and shooting some of MTV’s top-rated teen reality shows, such My Super Sweet 16, True Life, Engaged and Underage, Camp’d Out. What did this teach me about teaching ESL?

Directing a good soundbite (aka Pronunciation)

Did I just hear someone utter pibe vs. five?

Repeat.

My students may not be TV talent, but clarity and good enunciation is still important for an audience’s ear.

If I don’t correct their speech habits, their pibes will grow to sebens, then to elebens… until their ” pishes swim in a riber”.

ESL students aren’t the only ones afflicted with bad pronunciation habits, though. It plagues English-speakers too. I remember sitting in many Super Sweet 16ers‘ bedrooms with camera on tripod and lav mic on the talent, directing interviews and promotional reads. Sometimes, a ‘regional accent’ or ‘southern drawl’ gets in the way, making a kid sound like they’re talking with food in their mouth. Other times, it can be a speedy delivery, as if the kid’s words are exhaled into one long and slurred, run-on sentence. There were times some of my show kids were really incomprehensible…

I gave the one favorite word that I use today–

(more…)

1o (More) Shocking Facts about Korean Schools

Filed under Korea, Tips & Fun Facts by Christine Ka'aloa on November 28, 2010 at 9:04 am {8 comments}

Photo from Toiletpaperworld.com

Sometimes, the cultural differences of working in the Korean classroom can be a real trip for a westerner! Either you’re left open-mouthed at every corner or you’re still trying to understand the Korean logic…

Back in March when I first arrived here, I was just uncovering my new environment (Read”10 surprising facts about the Korean school”). Today, it’s become a routine; yet as much as I live the daily idiosyncrasies and tics of my kimchi habitat, some of this stuff still boggles the mind a bit. (more…)

Decoding the Korean workplace: My School Class Schedule

Filed under Teaching English, Tips & Fun Facts by Christine Ka'aloa on September 9, 2010 at 10:30 pm {6 comments}

My 2010 Fall/Winter semester teaching schedule:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Video broadcast (every other week)
5^th grade	6^th grade	3^rd grade	4^th grade	6^th grade
5^th grade	6^th grade	3^rd grade	4^th grade	6^th grade
5^th grade	6^th grade	3^rd grade	4^th grade	6^th grade
5^th grade	6^th grade	3^rd grade	4^th grade	6^th grade
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
	ParentEnglish (40 min)
	ParentEnglish (60 min)			Teacher’s English (40 min)

So I’ve returned this semester to my teacher’s desk more confident, a bit more cocky and… ahem, a tad lazy. Inevitable. This is second semester and I’ve had 6 months worth of grueling experience to prime me for this lounging funk. What’s changed since last semester? I’ve come to trust the (more…)

5 Tips for New English Teachers in Korea

Filed under Teaching English, Tips & Fun Facts by Christine Ka'aloa on August 29, 2010 at 10:54 pm {one comment}

Comic by Luke Martin of ROKetship
(I love his comics on being an expat in Korean culture! Check it out and have a laugh!)

So the new troops are rolling in! Yes, a new batch of EPIKers just arrived in Daegu this Thursday to fill the district’s request to have at least one Native English speaker (NET) in each school starting this semester. It’s all a part of the Korean Ministry of Education‘s eager plan to boost the country’s appetite and mastery of English.

To fellow EPIKer’s of my generation:
Woo hoo! We made it to the six month mark! Through good times and bad, we rocked through it to this far and (more…)

10 shocking facts about Korean schools

Filed under Korea, Teaching English by MyCrazyKimchi on March 21, 2010 at 3:39 pm {10 comments}

10 Shocking Facts about Korean schools:

1- A 16-hour school day?

Just how strongly do Koreans feel about education? It would shock you. The average high school student generally has class from approximately 8A until 9:30P or 10P. With Koreans, the goal is to get into a good college and often, the competition is high. As a result, many students will also attend a private hagwon (afterschool learning program). After school programs (more…)