::A Geek in Korea::

The problematic basic adult class that gave me the "Children or Food" ultimatum got a dose of their own medicine today. I came into class prepared with a sign up sheet, an attitude, and a plan. Since the students decided they didn’t like what I chose for a topic of discussion, I decided to make the article for the articles they wanted to talk about will be their choice from now on. I gave them a weekly list and let them chose the week they were going to be in charge of finding an English article.

The idea is that if I can’t find something relevant, they will have to find something on their own. This is partially a jab at them, as now they’ll have to see what it’s like trying to find a topic lots of other people will have to talk about in class. It will also act as a sort of homework, where they will have to read English at home to find something to discuss.

Their responsibility is to bring me the article on the Monday so I can copy and distribute it for Wednesday so everyone else can prepare.  On Wednesday, the student who chose the article will have to lead a short introduction about why they decided on the topic, give some background, or lead the discussion group. I’ll be there to help, explain the article, or ask questions.

The last time I tried this experiment, every single time the person that was responsible had to produce something for class, they were absent. I was in a class with 10 students, and suddenly we had a weekly flu problem. We never talked about articles they chose, because they never gave me any. This is why I started preparing articles on my own. I called my class on this behavior already today, and told them that if they start skipping classes each week, I’ll know why. They laughed, but I think they had all considered it.

I sent the sign up sheet around the class three times before someone was bold enough to sign it. Eventually everyone signed, and this will into affect next week. If this turns out to be the cure for their current quiet natures, I’ll be surprised, but having them take more stake in their class would make them realize that it’s their responsiblity as much as mine for them to improve.