Student Mail is Sarang

Student mail is pure sarang. 

I used to have a few other emails that I get from students who tell me that they have graduated and they make it a point to tell me that they still remember me. There are some student who I am in touch with via FB and at times they would leave a comment or I would drop a line on their walls. ^.^ But those are rare.

I am glad to hear from Lucy. ^.^ I remember enjoying talking to her and her brother. ^.^ Thought it's been a while and I can't remember their faces. T_T But I am sure their screencap is in my hard disk somewhere. ^.^

Do you have any memorable teachers? I do, too. ^.^

My student Teddy ^,^

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

ESA Moment : Red Bean Soup Day

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/12/115_36486.html

http://newasiancuisine.com/4736-sweet-red-bean-soup.html

My student Mr. Bond. (three guesses what his English name is) told me about Dongji Patjuk. You can read here what the myth about it taken from. The thing was that he didn't know about it as well. He found it interesting so he shared the information with me. He said patjuk drove evil spirits away. Cool, beans vs.ghouls. Kinda made me think of plants vs. zombies. ^^

I wanted to tell him about the Filipino food that people believed is a good source of energy or made us strong. Yes, you are right, the BALUT. But I didn't think it would be a good idea to tell the man about a food that would probably make him expel his lunch so soon. ^^

CULTURE OVERLAP: People, Koreans and Filipinos alike use food as a means to benchmark a holiday. Although the lugaw or a ginataang munggo would probably closer to the red bean soup than balut, it still makes the latter fit the "gives special energy" category. We believe that specific kind of food can make us healthier or stronger than usual. But in the long run it's a healthy diet ensure just that, with or without the red beans or the aborted ducks. ^^

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.

Misplaced Modifier

No, this is not a grammar blog.

I got moved to a colder part of the work floor, in a station that has a computer that has an odd  orientation of phone and mouse (the opposite of what I am used to) with a keyboard that sticks. (Think typewriting force for shift and backspace and some letters). It's making my carpal tunnel worse (My hands hurt bite me.)

And all because my phone has no service. At least on mine there isn't one. For most of the day it's been that way. T_T, Oh well. Technology is a bitch.