Teacher notes · Classroom Games
How do you play Running Dictation in a Korean hagwon classroom?
Running Dictation — Teacher Notes
Setup checklist
- [ ] Print or handwrite one copy of your text in large, clear letters
- [ ] Tape it at student eye height on a wall (hallway or back of classroom)
- [ ] Pair students — avoid pairing a very weak student with a very strong one
- [ ] Give each pair one paper and one pen
Rules to announce clearly
- One runner, one writer per pair (they can swap roles anytime)
- Runners: read, remember, run back, dictate — no writing at the text
- Writers: stay at your desk, write exactly what your partner says
- No phones, no photos
- First pair to finish correctly wins — spelling can be close, but punctuation and words must match
Timing
- Elementary: 2-4 sentences = 5-8 minutes
- Middle: one paragraph = 8-12 minutes
- High/Adult: two paragraphs = 12-18 minutes
If they finish early, tape up a harder text immediately.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Students crowd one text | Tape up 2-3 copies in different spots |
| A pair finishes but has errors | Send them back to fix it — do not tell them where the error is |
| Weak pair gives up | Let them. Check in after 3 min and give a hint ("Look at the punctuation") |
| Students walk instead of run | Make the text farther away, or say "last pair buys me coffee" |
| Too loud for neighboring class | Use this during break time, or warn the teacher next door |
Checking the final text
Hold the original next to their paper. Read aloud together with the pair. If anything is wrong, circle it lightly and send them back. Do not correct it yourself.
Common errors: missing periods, misspelled names, skipped small words (a, the, is).
Sample texts by level
Elementary (ages 8-10):
My cat is black and white. Her name is Bella. She sleeps on my bed every night.
Middle school:
Last Saturday, I went to Lotte World with my family. We rode the French Revolution roller coaster three times. My brother was too scared, so he waited outside. After that, we ate tteokbokki near the entrance. It was the best day of my summer.
High school / Adult:
South Korea became the first country to pass a law banning dog meat consumption in January 2024. The ban will take effect in 2027, giving farmers three years to close their businesses. Animal rights groups celebrated the decision, but some older Koreans said the government should not control traditional food culture. About one million dogs are still raised for meat each year, though the practice has declined sharply among younger generations.
If you have extra time
Run it twice with different texts. Or tape the text inside a closed book on a desk — students have to open it, read, close it, then dictate. Same game, no running, works if your room is small.