Foreign teacher speaking Korean in class

[msls]

I speak some Korean in class with the young ones, the grade 1 and 2's. A lot of them don't know anything yet so it really helps. They are very responsive to it when used properly. My co-teacher and I use english by default, but Korean is needed sometimes as a second option.

In my past experience, Korean commands proved less effective than English for my grade 5's and 6's, who last year basically freaked out and got quite rude (shouting "해봐!" incessantly and ignoring what I actually said) if I tried using Korean to get them to understand something. After several instances of that I chose to stop using it. I now use higher level students to help their classmates who don't understand.

The principle at my other school has asked me not to use Korean in class, which doesn't bother me, so I don't use it.

[baw004]

I understand the plus and the negative for using Korean in English class.  But here is what I do in my elementary classes, and I found it to be effective if done properly.

I do have a policy to speak English only unless told to speak Korean.
my example:  When I do vocabulary, after repeating after me they say the Korean meaning and write it down on their work sheet.  It's just to make sure they understand the meaning.  I ask the kids to do it and not the Korean teacher to just translate the word, because I want them to think about what the English word really means.  My co-teacher will let them know if they're right or wrong.

I have a point system in my class, and I allow the students to receive point by answering my questions. Most of my questions require an English answer, but sometime I ask what does a sentence mean in Korean.  If the student answers in Korean correctly, they receive a point for their team.  Obviously, I need my co-teacher to check if they said it right.  But it gives my students a sense of pride, because they know and understand the meaning of the English sentence.

That's the only times I allow Korean in my class.  However, I have different co-teachers for each class and they act differently.  I have some co-teachers that right after I say something translate it, they don't even give the students a chance to think about it.  And then I have others that don't do anything, and after I exhausted all my know how to get them to understand, and they need translation, I have to ask my co-teacher to then translate what I've said.  Again this is elementary!!  I've been very effective with little use of Korean spoken in my class.  My kids still try to speak only in English once they understand they're vocabulary and key sentences for the lesson!!

[ricky.dedos]

pffh, I use Korean all the time in the classroom. The kids get a kick out of it. Of course this is elementary school. They told me last year I should stop, but I never did and they never said anything about it. I told them it was my teaching style and they could take a long walk. Besides that, it shows the kids/students that you care about their culture and when mistakes are made it's not the end of the world.
my 2cent

[hmh1981]

ummm...
it's okay..
when the native teacher teaches grammer.. sometimes, the students don't understandㅠㅠ

[twebbuk]

When it comes to speaking Korean I can get by in the shops but in the classroom I know only a small amount. Every now and then I will use Korean writing on the board or say a word which my Co-teacher teaches me but this is mostly for the students to have a giggle and give me some abuse. However it works in making all of them respond, even the quiet ones, with a "that is terrible" or "wow, who taught you?"
There will be negatives and positives in using Korean in the classroom. For me I think using the odd bit here and there will not damage the students learning but it is important to draw a line and not become reliant on it.

[MelIsaSan]

I think my failure was in letting the teachers now that I know basic Korean. Because of this, they speak only in Korean and therefore expect me to read their minds.

[reverendb97]

I only use a small amount of Korean in class. Such as numbers, because for some odd reason, my students don't seem to understand the numbers. Besides, I get to practice my lack of Korean knowledge. My co-teacher thinks it's great. I don't use it all the time. As, I said, I don't know much of the language. My class gets a hoot out of it, though.But, they know I don't Korean all that well, so they try as hard as they can to speak in English to me. I work at a Middle School that hasn't had too many teachers actually teach them English; instead they would just play games the whole time. So, now that I'm there, the students are learning to speak a little bit (초큼) English. OS , they try it out as much as they can. And, I am not sure if I just spelled that correctly, so please don't bust my chops for that one.

[gentlefox31]

For me, speaking Korean in class depends on the co-teacher I'm with at the time.  One of them advises to only use English in the class so that the students can get more accustomed to my different accent from the CD (I have an English accent).  A different teacher asks me to translate some vocabulary or sentence into Korean so that the students can laugh at my mistakes and realise that making errors are part of the speaking game. 

I use Korean most frequently with the lower level students, but this is on a one to one basis rather than talking to them as a group.  For the higher level students English is a must!  I don't want the students to make a habit of talking to me in Korean as that's not what the school hired me to do. 

Anyways, it's really up to you.  If it works for you, go for it. 

[notinKS]

So, now that I'm there, the students are learning to speak a little bit (초큼) English. OS , they try it out as much as they can. And, I am not sure if I just spelled that correctly, so please don't bust my chops for that one.

Not to be mean, but just for an FYI: 조금 This one's important as you'll hear/see/use it a lot, so it's helpful to know!

[naskland]

I think it depends on the school culture and the needs of your students.  What I think it most important is how you use their language to assist their learning.

I teach in a low ecomonic area and the students are very low and some unmotivated.  So for me, especially because I am trying to learn Korean, I study the English vocabulary words so I can quiz them verbally with flashcards where I say it in Korean, and then they say it in English. 

It works really well because now we are building a relationship where we are both learning from eachother!  I think it's important for the students to see that you are learning their language so they are motivated to learn from you too.  So rewarding!

[Soupmaster]

It depends on their age and level.  If they are really young and low level, speaking Korean at all is a bad idea (I've learnt) as they think that you can understand their Korean at all times, and will always ask and answer in Korea in the future. 

The older students though, I agree, even if they are low, they respect that you are trying to learn their language and it probably helps build relationships.  Just don't use it when it won't help. 

[shcmad]

I mean, the language barrier sure is frustrating. When you don't have a co-teacher with you and you're allowed to use as little Korean as possible, it's darn hard/exhausting to explain stuff (such as how to play a certain game). 

[Soupmaster]

To further add to my point,

I understand that it's part of learning and teaching a foreign language to struggle in the translation, making the use of Korean the easy way out.  However, I think that this works: first say something in English, repeat it, then use it in Korean, where they will all understand --- and then say the English phrase again.  After a while of doing this, you can eliminate the Korean, and they will understand the English -- whereas if you never used the Korean at all, they may still not understand the English.

My 3 dollars. 

[skim23]

It also depends on who you are. If you are a gyopo, speaking Korean is usually looked down upon because it defeats one of the main reasons of having a native English teacher, which is to prompt students to speak English. If the students realize that their teacher can speak and/or understand Korean, the tendency is for them to speak in Korean since they are obviously more comfortable with it.

[jowhi70]

한국말을 수업에 전부 다 사용하지 않고 소량의 한국말은 학생들에게 자신감을 주기도 하는것 같습니다. 물론 학생들에게는 영어만을 사용하도록 해야하지만 외국인 선생님이 한국말을  조금 할 수 있다는 모습은 학생들에게 '나도 할 수 있다' 라는 생각을 줄 수 있을것 같아요. 그래서 약간은 한국어를 사용하는 모습도 보여주세요.학생과 더 친밀해질 수 있는 기회입니다 

[the mighty sergio]

I think it depends on the school culture and the needs of your students.  What I think it most important is how you use their language to assist their learning.

I teach in a low ecomonic area and the students are very low and some unmotivated.  So for me, especially because I am trying to learn Korean, I study the English vocabulary words so I can quiz them verbally with flashcards where I say it in Korean, and then they say it in English. 

It works really well because now we are building a relationship where we are both learning from eachother!  I think it's important for the students to see that you are learning their language so they are motivated to learn from you too.  So rewarding!

Yeah I couldn't agree more. I do the same with my low level high school students and it works really well. Also, I've found the laughter that ensues from my mispronunciation of korean words can give the class a more relaxed atmosphere and makes the students less intimidated by making mistakes when speaking English.

[namers84]

I  agree soup master. I'm thinking a lot about this at the moment as my co teacher speaks in Korean the majority of the class. I can see how tempting it is, as it makes the class run more smoothly and the students fully understand the exercises, however I find it frustrating as it's not giving the students a chance to work it out in English first.  He'll say it in English, and translate it straight into Korean word by word. Then when I take the class they haven't a clue because they rely on him so much.  I think he should leave the Korean just for when they are confused and don't understand.  We've talked about it a little but I don't feel its going anywhere.

[nickhoon7]

it all depends on the class, i am doing pretty well using some korean in all my classes (the kids know i use it to help them some and when they speak to me in korean in class that they wont get a response unless its a question) except for my 5th grade. the kids all think its cool that i understand them so they dont try to get away with as much and sometimes it helps because they will ask questions that they cant ask in English (which i then tell them how to ask in english and they all repeat)

but then there is my 5th grade. they are unmotivated to do anything but play, i didnt use korean at first but then i thought it would help but it got me nowhere. even with korean and translations they still dont do anything and actually dont really care at all.

[longy22]

I've also that this dilemma in the beginning.  There were so many times where i would want to say something in Korean for the children to understand but have realized my placement quickly.  I'm here to teach english, if students dont understand, i guess the korean teacher can help.  Also, if students know that i speak a good portion of Korean, they could very well lose touch.

[rbirchtree]

I do not know what your lesson plans are like but I try to get the unmotivated students engaged by doing an assortment of group games. You can find some good games on http://www.genkienglish.net/start.htm or at Dave's ESL cafe.
Here are two that I do.

1. I divide the class into two or more teams and I have a race for each team to finish spelling a word off of CONSTAINOPLE.

2. Another one I do is I have a race against my co-teacher. We divide the class into two teams and my teacher and I ask the students questions like "What's your name, etc". Whoever finishes first wins....my co-teacher is pretty fast.