Teacher notes · Discussion & Debate
Cram schools after regular school: a discussion lesson for Korean middle schoolers who are living it
- Expect emotion. This topic is close to home. If a student gets genuinely upset, let them step out for a minute. Do not shut down the conversation unless it turns personal.
- Do not reveal your position until after the writing task. If they ask, say you are still deciding.
- The "flip" writing task is not optional. That is where the critical thinking happens. Arguing your own side is easy. Arguing the other side forces actual engagement with the question.
- Collect the paragraphs. Read them. You will learn which students are just tired and which ones are carrying real academic pressure. That shows up in their English writing when the topic is this close.
- One student will say hagwons are a waste of time while sitting in your hagwon. Let it happen. That self-awareness is useful.