When I first started working with Chungdahm over a year ago, having never taught before, I learned that kids can complete activities much quicker than you expect. It’s always good to have a short game or craft if you have extra time at the end of class. Here are a few of my favorite games, they are little to no prep and my students love them! They can easily take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on how much time you have, and they’re great for reviewing key concepts.
Read MoreTags: teaching at Chungdahm, class management, classroom materials, teaching tips, iGarten
Now that I have been working for Chungdahm Learning for some time, I find it only appropriate to share some teaching wisdom. There are two concepts that I find to be essential to master in order to be a good Chungdahm teacher (or a good teacher in general) - WH Questions and Cold Calling.
Read MoreTags: class management, teaching kids, growing with Chungdahm, Teaching skills, classroom materials, teaching tips, professional growth
Managers in any job have one main purpose: to be the absorbing sponge between two hard materials. They are like the spine of the corporate system: bridging the brain with the rest of the body to work with ease and efficiency. However, it is not an easy job balancing the needs of the teaching staff along with the wants from the higher ups. So, having had both good and bad managers, I would like to tell you about one of my best experiences with management at Chungdahm.
Read MoreTags: student management, Training Center, training week, class management, teacher testimonial
One of my biggest regrets when coming to Korea was that I didn’t begin to learn the language until my second year of teaching. If I had learned the language, I firmly believe that my first year here would have been even more amazing than what it was. While knowing Korean isn't required to teach for ChungDahm, you will find it is very beneficial to at least of have a general understanding of the language for things like using public transportation, reading a menu and understanding your students, especially if they are younger. Learning the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) only takes a few hours as King Sejong, the writer of Hangeul, made it so that that each letter represents movements made with the mouth and tongue. Below I have provided a list of common words that you should know when dealing with Korean students as well as Korean staff members during your time teaching in Korea.
Read MoreTags: student management, Students, English in Korea, Korean students, class management, learning management, school supplies
One thing that differentiates a new teacher and from an experienced teacher is confidence. While most people think confidence means knowing, it actually means listening and learning. An experienced teacher goes with the flow of things, and doesn’t stress out about the small details. Showing confidence is really is all about managing your words and actions. If you want to be well-liked among your fellow teachers, and have a good status within your ChungDahm academy, then follow my tips below.
Read MoreTags: chungdahm, class management, Teaching skills
One of the most difficult tasks in teaching and one of the most break-or-make aspects is classroom management. How do you manage to deal with up to 15 bouncing, energetic, elementary students? Or even more difficult, 15 cricket-chirping quiet middle schoolers? We all know that you’re supposed to get the material in their heads but we also know that as much as anyone plans, nothing will go the way you plan. Therefore, how do we manage the class to teach them effectively? Well, there isn’t any one-step-easy method. I do, however, have a lot of tips that I have learned from my experience of teaching in Korea for nearly three years and for three Chungdahm branches. I have learned a lot from my many mentors, and I would like to share what I have learned with you. While some ideas might seem obvious, you would be surprised how difficult it can be. I will also do my best to give the tips, along with solid explanations of each tip. These tips can be separated into three categories: Organization, Professionalism, and Attitude, or, OPA (Gangnam Style)!
Read MoreTags: chungdahm, class management, chungdahm learning, Teaching skills
Before I begin, I just want to let my readers know that each ChungDahm location has a different set of rules when it comes to preparing for classes. The reason for this is because different locations teach different courses. Depending on the classes being taught at your location, you may need to prepare a lot of information for your class or you may not. Below I will talk about how I go about preparing for my day of teaching and encourage my fellow teachers to do the same.
Read MoreTags: Students, working in korea, teaching at Chungdahm, teaching,, chungdahm, smart classroom, 3.0 smart student, smart textbook, class management, chungdahm learning
If this is your first time teaching in Korea, it can be quite intimidating especially since you will be handling students. I remember when I got here, I wasn’t sure how I could connect with my students. I wasn’t fresh out of college and I wasn’t accustomed to the Korean culture. One of the things my trainers at Chungdahm told me to do was to brush up on Korean pop culture and ask my students’ about their daily lives. I think because I started to watch and listen to the Hallyu or the Korean Wave (Korea’s version of Hollywood), it has me a better teacher. To be successful, bonding with your students about different subjects can make your life teaching a lot easier.
Read MoreTags: student management, Students, Korean students, Kdrama, students in Korea, KPOP, seoul comic books, class management, webtoons
Chungdahm Learning is a massive company that has various branches and franchises domestically and globally. Recently, CDL expanded its international horizons, and has opened up new academies all over Vietnam. The company also has locations in Philippines and America.
Read MoreTags: creativity with students, student management, international, teaching at Chungdahm, teaching,, chungdahm, class management, chungdahm learning, international teaching jobs, project based learning, growing with Chungdahm, Chungdahm locations, transfer locations
Teaching in Korea has been some of the best years of my adult life. Coming into the New Year, I took time to reflect on why I have decided to stay so long. As I was talking to my friends about our resolutions, I thought about the good times that I’ve had while living in Seoul. I would think that after working for ChungDahm and at the same location for four years that I would be tired of teaching. Truthfully, at times like any other job, it can be stressful but I truly feel the positives have outweighed the negatives. Here are some thoughts I would like to share with everyone so that we, as teachers, and our students can stay motivated in 2016.
Read MoreTags: teaching in Korea, teaching at Chungdahm, Motivate Students, ESL, class management, chungdahm learning