How to Teach Words = K.I.S.S. it

Keep It Short and Simple.

This is something that we loose touch on because of all the things we tend to complicate. I personally have a little bit of a problem doing this. And it's a challenge that I am looking forward to re-learning. Then I had a conversation today that reminded me of the root of the issue.

She tested me "How would you teach the word ATTENTION to a kid?" I said "Look at me. Focus on me." She pretended to be a beginner student so she asked, "What is FOCUS?" I was stumped.

*

I get this a lot from my new kid. And she is eleven. We got caught up with the words Flattery, praise and compliments. I told her "It's to say something nice to someone."

The tester told me the golden rule about teaching children. "There are only a few words that they know." So to teach Attention I can say "Look at me, Focus on me." And to teach focus, I can say "ONLY ME" to teach what focus means. But obviously, I need to just go straight to "Look at me. Only me." to teach attention.

Learning to repeat yourself is something vital in what we do as teachers for beginners. Because if we loose patience, then the child would have more questions than learnings.

It applies to adult learners as well. Since there are also adult learners who are in a beginner or middle level who sign up to learn English online. They are just a little bit more shy to ask about the meaning of some words. But asking them if they have any questions or if there are any words they need clarifications on would help. So allotting time for these kind of questions are necessary in a class.

Never assume that the student would get it all at once. Keep explanations simple. Use common words, if at all possible, use the words they already learned in a previous class. As their teacher, you know what level of words you can use for explaining things to them. Never get tired of answering questions and be aware of the time that it takes you to answer said questions. Answer as soon as they ask and do so in a precise manner. Do not let your explanation or definition lead to more questions. Say it in a clear voice. Be confident of what you know. The student would have a feeling of doubt if you sound unsure of your answer to them. You are supposed to be the expert. Saying something that you are not sure of might lead to a student getting even more confused.

In these cases, Google and other online tools would come in handy to help support your stock knowledge. Do not say something that you are not sure of because your student might end up learning the wrong thing. Or worse, have an odd understanding of a word and end up using it in a conversation and get embarrassed. That would not sit well with them. Since studying with you is actually the sole chance they have to get it right and practice it so that when they need it in a real life situation they would not make such obvious mistakes.

A more complex understanding of something always starts with small comprehensible definitions.
So when defining things, be a dear and K.I.S.S. it.  

*image taken from internet

Hi, I'm Teacher Sam!

So I am back to my bohemian life. I tried the job that has a great HMO and better pay. But all I got from it is GERD and whole lot of maladies. And a few great friends to keep for life. You know who you are. NO need to name drop.

But this is my second day of having classes and guess what? My stress level is about 2% and it's because I only have three students. It's bound to get busy in the next few days and months but I am just glad to be doing something I know I am great at. And reports and tech issues aside, I am loving it. I am sure I will eat those words on hectic days but I am glad to be back.

And as long as this industry is around, I plan to stay.

I am currently back to the night shift and have to travel to Ortigas by jeep, MRT and foot just to get to work on time but I wouldn't exchange it for dragging my feet to work every day.

It's challenging to keep tabs on students' schedule and progress. And talking to someone who is trying to ask you what PEACE means even if you already said it means "No fighting" can be a challenge. But it's more like riding a bicycle and you never really unlearn in.

I miss my old students and their antics. Most of them are on my Facebook now and would probably see this. And I am hoping that I can re-learn how to teach kids and teens again. As for adults, that was always easier.

The challenge is time management once there are one class after the other. And that my current keyboard is like an old Nokia phone, the kind that requires me to press it heavily since the keys are a bit hard.

There are a lot of things to look forward to. And improvements to help with but I am glad to be back.

Sometimes I think, why did I ever leave?

Money?

Benefits?

It's nothing compared to waking up and saying, "Yey, work!"

I'm weird. I know.

Note to self : Welcome back, Sam. ^^

 

Won Deuk Yi "Punch"

I want to watch this movie.

My student Melissa told me about it. She said that she watched it with her sister. She told me the story, typical for me to ask when I can't google the title. I kept typing Huan Do Gi. T_T

Won-Deuk Yi or  완득이 is a coming of age movie for a kid who was only good at fighting. Not that the kid is violent or something. But I guess that is why the international release title is "Punch".  He usually beats people who try to hurt or insult his father.

The part that interested me was that the story included the fact that his mom is a Filipina-who migrated to Korea. His homeroom teacher, whom he hates enough to pray for his speedy demise, tells him she wants to see Won Deuk.

Won Deuk Yi or "Punch"

It doesn't seem like this movie would have a lot to give me but I just want to see it.

Big Bang wins MTV EMA Worldwide Act

V.I.P.s United and showed the world that we can make Big Bang win!!!

Yatta!~

"This is only because of our fans, through the ups and downs. Thank you for standing by us. - TY"

CONGRATULATIONS OPPAs!

 

http://www.allkpop.com/2011/11/big-bang-wins-best-worldwide-act-at-mtvs-2011-europe-music-awards

I finally believed the rumors when V.I. posted it on his me2day account!~

“Dear loving fans. Big Bang won the World Wide Act award of the EMA. I'm so happy that I'm posting me2day during the show. Thank u& love u."

"This is only because of our fans, through the ups and downs. Thank you for standing by us. - TY"

http://gdragondiarysite.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/info-big-bang-crown-lightstick-version-3-release-on-ygeshop/

To all the V.I.P.s who helped make this happen let's pat ourselves in the back and/or wave our light sticks in unison. Our oppas did it. And amidst all that they are going through as well as the rumors those capitalizing antis are putting together, this shows that YG family and Big Bang are not going to sit around and moop. They will come back with a BANG, a big one at that. (I asked the writers and readers in my writing group to vote so I hope they did!)

I am sure that Daesung can smile more now and this would lift GD's spirit more. I have ranted before that the things they went through just needed to happen to trim the fat. So to speak, the fakers and poser fans are now all gone. And the real and ever-loyal V.I.P.s made this happen!

Please feel our love, guys and continue to be awesome.

Say it loud, say it proud, "Once a V.I.P. always a V.I.P.!"

BIG BANG IS (always) V.I.P. !!!

As a way to celebrate I let my Yongbae's Song (fanfic novel in Tagalog) be viewable gil-less in our writing group!~ So all you need to do is register and you can read it for free!!!~ Just don't copy it, and we will all be good. ^.^

VJ UTT I had a huge crush on this guy before. Why so red? *with TOP and Seungri

“We are called Big Bang from South Korea, nice to meet you all.
And because this award is something that our fans have given us,
it has a lot more meaningful and it gives us more joy.
I would like to thank our fans, V.I.P, once again.
And through this opportunity, I hope we can attract more love
and interest to Korean music and Big Bang as well.”

http://ibigbang.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/photo-pre-red-carpet-and-backstage-photo/

http://ygfamilyy.tumblr.com/

such fanboys!~where is T.O.P.

LOL! He's so happy!!!~

Yeah Bae!~

oppa such a cam whore you are!~

Jessie J

Queen

Jeremy Scott

Classic

 

Tell it to the Marines

I heard from a student that Hyun Bin enlisted yesterday. I googled it as fast as I could and saw the pictures of my latest oppa teary-eyed with a military haircut. Whenever I see soldier I remember the guys from my short time in ROTC UPLB. I remember how some of them became professional soldiers. Some of the became part of the Army, Marines and the Air Force. I have always had a thing for men in uniform so I know that Hyun Bin becoming a Marine would just increase his "market value" when he gets back.

Article about it here 


I was about to mention a common Korean man's dilemma when he leaves for the army, that his girl would not be there when he comes back. I was wondering about his girlfriend but it turns out they haven't been together since January. Kuddos to their PR peeps since they handled this very well. 

Still they do look good together.

Still. It's *tee-hee* worthy that he is single when he comes back. *echoes* Free for all!~


Article about that here

Korean Stress Remedy

Cure a disease with something from the same disease is how most vaccines and antidotes are made, right?

I have been a hot ball of stress lately because of work so I haven't been a happy camper. I have been asking friends for advice as to how to relieve my stress. I got zen, prevy and even really sound advice from most of them but they all required too much time away from my work. I needed something that gave instant gratification and loads and loads of happy thoughts. Since writing has become a chore as well, I couldn't go to that when my spirit felt mutinous.

I forgot something that I have been doing since I learned how to use a betamax. That watching something cute or funny makes me feel better. Always. I remember going to watch a comedy movie right after an upsetting day and laughing till I forgot that someone fracked up my entire day. I was already a graduate at that time so I could afford going to the movie theater on a whim. I had a better paying but extremely stressful job back then.

I stumbled upon this rediscovery when I went around looking for SECRET GARDEN so that I can watch it and talk to my students about it. But it was not available in the pirate bins just yet. I ended up buying My GIRLFRIEND IS A GUMIHO, IRIS 1 AND 2, and Kaichou-wa-Maid-sama! the anime. None of my favorite pirate bins had hentai so I let that go for now. ^^

Now I have something to look forward to at the end of the day. Yes, my life is boring like that. When you are technically broke all that time because your roommate has not moved in yet and your peanuts paying job is pissing you off, it's all you can do not to drop kick someone. I choose Korean dramas over jail time.

ESA Moment #2: On Blind Dates

Student: I have a blind date.

Teacher: How was it?

Student: Bad.

Teacher: What was the problem?

Student: Age is younger.

Teacher: How old is he?

Student: Three years old.

Okay. This was not posted to make fun of anyone. It's a conversation I had with a female student about her weekend. She told me that she didn't like the guy that she went on a blind date with because he was younger. After a few more probing questions. (Yes, I am a gossip like that.) I got her to reveal the truth. She didn't like the guy's mug. I almost giggled but I controlled myself from doing so.

CULTURE TIDBIT: Koreans (some not all) go on blind dates to try to meet someone to date or be steady with. They tend to be set-ups by friends who usually vouch for the other person. Sometimes they pick up the tab as well.

CULTURE CRASH: Filipinos love to matchmake their friends. But most of us don't really like to go on blind dates. Group dates are more common and a lot safer for Filipinas. At least, that is what we think. For the guys, it's a little bit more dangerous since the "cheerleader effect" can be deceiving.

OVERLAP: Most people date to either mate or to settle down. Since Koreans and Filipinos are both big on families so getting to know strangers becomes a process of elimination. Sometimes they get eliminated, other times they are the ones who date and dash.

BOTTOM LINE: Blind dates can lead to a fun experience or to a traumatic ones. My suggestion, make it an avenue to free your mind, make a new friend. Be bold but don't be too judgmental.