Let's talk about open class

[flowerbuzz]

Could someone please clarify something for me. I have just been told that I should submit a script of what I will be saying in my open class. This goes to the Education Board of Gyeonggi-Do Has anyone else had to do this. It seems a bit funny that I should write down word for word what I will be saying.

[Troy]

I think they just want some proof of the things you are teaching.  I would give them a lesson plan.

[Halcyon]

You should check with your co-teacher to find out if she has a template for you to use.  I've done two open classes and for each one I had to use a special template in which I typed almost verbatim what I was going to say in my lesson.  My co-teacher did the same for her open class.

A couple of weeks ago I visited another school for their open class day and noticed that they had compiled their lesson plans into an anthology.  Their lesson plans were also done the same way that we do ours at my school.

[flowerbuzz]

She told me that this is her first "real" open class, she did one last year with the other native teacher but I think the planning wasn't as detailed as what they hoped it was. To put it another way its like the blind leading the blind lol. I have been to two open classes and are just following their layouts. They are very detailed and use a lot of colour. Neither of them had submitted scripts along with their sybullus that they gave out to the teachers that showed up.

thanks for your input guys ^.^

[The.it.girl]

Hey can someone please help i was just told that i have to prepare an open class in 2 weeks this is my second year in Korea, but my very first open class, im so scared literally shaking, i teach at a high school but all my students are very low leveled, after 3 months at this school im still frustrated when my kids respond with "thank you" after i greet them with a simple "good morning".. They are not motivated and ive started pullin there hair just so that they wont go to sleep, dont get me wrong i love my students to bits but i just have no idea whatsoever to do for my open class..
Ideas please:-(((((

[Morticae]

I haven't had an open class, but if/when I do, I will bribe them. Assuming I am pleased with their rehearsed performances and enthusiasm for my lesson, I will give them a pizza party or something. Haha.

[discoinfiltrator]

Hey,

Just had an open class today with my low level students in Middle School. Do you teach Middle or Tech High School?
I teach at a middle school and a tech high where the tech igh lvel is exrememly low.

For once, I did not need to prepare much for the lesson so my co-teacher found a lesson on cartoons in the English book(which we don't ever use for my classes). I was pretty nervous as most of the kids can barely write a sentence however choosing a theme like cartoons, adding some visual aspects like a video(on how to draw a cartoon) and getting them to do some sort of presentation(where you make sure they have the material prepared already) seemed to work out well.
The lessons I teach are more difficult as I have high level classes each week and mixed level classes.

If it's a high school that you have the lesson for, again make sure you do something that stimulates their thinking, something creative or fun. If needs be have a little korean in the lesson where your teacher can translate. We explained to the teachers that the lesson was graded to the students ability, which is low level. Somthing like cartoons, fashion, sport(the asian games were held recently), music or situational English with roleplays are some ideas that could be useful to your lesson if you plan them well.

Good luck with it, hope the advice is somewhat helpful!
 :)I

[The.it.girl]

Thanks very much Maria, ive got some idea now, i teach at a high sccccchool not exactly technical but very low leveled out in the country, i will try not to stress too much and think of something fun and creative:-) Say a prayer for me OK!!!

And the bribes aah, these poor students will not know what the hell im talking about:-(

[Kaypea]

Is it common practice to rehearse and bribe classes for open class?  Hmm... maybe I should do that next time.

I guess you could run the bribe idea by your coteacher and she can explain to them, but it's probably better (and cheaper) to do a fun class, maybe rehearse the procedures beforehand.

[RufusW]

A Korean open class lesson plan will usually by 3+ pages long, include everything that either teacher will say in the lesson (yes, like a script) and also possibly include smaller images of flashcards/materials used in the lesson.

[kiekie87]

So i have my first open class Friday and i want to make a great lesson,

What are some lessons/topics that are great for an open class?

I always start my class off with a  riddle/puzzle...do you think i should do the same?
Also, was thinking about a review game from the previous lessons?

I am teching middle school grade 2 with a mix of levels.

We have already covered
appearances
personality
emotions/feelings
opinions

Any ideas/suggestions are welcome

[hanaadas]

Well first off, GOODLUCK!!!

I would honestly stick to what you are used to doing. You are comfortable doing that so stay with it.  I would make a review game that uses all the information you have taught so far in class.  There is a great simpsons jeopardy game that I have found on waygook that i use for my reviews.  Here is an example of one that i changed to fit my material. you can always change out the pictures and change the simpsons theme.

hope this helps

[Artist Formerly Known as Moderator Jason]

This is something I have done before.  It is a very simple concept.  Put them in 3 or more groups and show a picture of a random person and have them describe that person from clothes, tattoos, piercings, emotion, everything.   Each descriptor gets a point.

[aaronron]

are you able to pick your lesson?? i had my open class 2 weeks ago and i used the regular book because of the interactive cd + my own game. it keeps the kids attentive because of the visuals and i think it's less pressure for u. i think having a lot of various activities in the lesson is what keeps it interesting.

[hildydoo]

I have my open class in 2 weeks, and my co-teacher is freaking out about it. I don't really see what the big deal is, and why does it have to be any different from any other class. If they really want to see us in action, we should go about our teaching normally, but she says that it has to be "fancy." *sigh* I really don't care what other people think, and besides, I'm not very competitive, so this just is a very foreign concept for me. I suggested we start the new lesson that day (because if we go along with the schedule, that's what we should be doing), but she said that that isn't a good idea because the first lesson isn't that "exciting."

Does anyone else have any ideas as to how to make this class "exciting?" (When I don't feel it should be, but "when in Rome...")

[meggie107]

hahaha! Hildydoo, I feel exactly the same way as you do.  I have an open class today (for the parents) and my co-teacher has been stressing out about it for the past 2 weeks.  She keeps reminding me, and telling me we must change the lesson to make it perfect, and all-round obsessing over it.  I don't see what all the fuss is about because I try to make my lessons as good as I can each and every time, and this will be no different.  If someone doesn't like my teching methods, then I don't really care - I'm doing my best, and they don't have any authority anyway:)

[thlo3]

I also have an open class coming up that I'm really nervous about. I'm more intimidated by the thought of other native English teachers coming in, rather than parents, because we have the same job and I feel like they will judge me more. On the plus side, I think that the students will behave themselves more with parents and other people in the room.

[CaseyMcG]

I just had my first open class and my advice is to choose a well behaved class, preferably on the second or third day of the same lesson so you and your co-teacher are really comfortable with the lesson and have figured out what works. Stick to what's worked with you in the past. And make the objectives VERY clear. Oh, and if you're a girl make sure to wear your most conservative of outfits. I mean like turtle neck style. I had on a regular top that showed absolutely no cleavage at all, stopping just passed my collarbone and the class's homeroom teacher was still like, "be aware of your shirt" before I started the class....

[johanna]

I have an open class coming up as well...with a co-teacher who has never let me plan my own lesson. She simply tells me what my part will be...and then we get to it. However, now she is telling me that this open class is more about observing the native teacher, so she thinks it's best that I plan the lesson. Kind of not seeing the logic in this, but taking the oportunity to show her the way I'd like to run the class.  She goes striaght by the book, never deviating. I find myself bored during class, so I can only imagine the students are, too. Since this is my first lesson I'm planning by myself, I'd love any pointers you may have. Good games, activities, etc. I will be teaching elementary school, grade 5, lesson 6 (I get up at seven every day)

[sclark5]

Is it a requirement for every native english teacher to have an open class? My co-teacher hasn't mentioned it.