Syllabus for teaching in a Korean University | ESL Course Syllabus

Let’s talk syllabi. You will certainly need a syllabus for teaching a course at a Korean university (or any uni around the world for that matter). But, the good news is that it’s easier than you might think. By checking out this post, you will be able to get an ESL course syllabus sample and my tips for making one.

Keep on reading to learn how I make a syllabus for courses at Korean universities. You can also get more information on creating lesson plans for university students and adult students.

Syllabus for Teaching in a Korean University

A common question I get from those new to teaching in a Korean university is what kind of syllabus they should make for their classes. A standard one is sometimes provided by the university, but most often, it’s up to the teachers. I’ll give you some general advice first and then link to some of my own syllabi that I’ve used over the years.

General Advice for Making an ESL Syllabus

Simple Language- If you teach freshman English, your students will not be stellar at English. Just use simple grammar and vocabulary unless you do the side-by-side translation thing.

Only the Basics- Your students will not understand the whole blurbs about your teaching philosophy, etc. Same with the administration of your university. Your class is for the students, not the admin anyway, so just give them some information on textbook, grading, schedule, and rules. It’s all they really need to know.

Contact Information- Department secretaries get so many visits and phone calls from students who don’t know how to contact their foreign teachers. This is crazy to me! Give students at least 2-3 ways to contact you, apart from office hours, which they probably won’t come to. Make the admin love you, not curse you!

Seriously. If you’re worried about getting hassled by students in real life, make up a specific set of “teaching” accounts. Check them every day, and you’re good to go.

Make it Available Online- Is there any teacher these days who doesn’t make their PowerPoints and class materials available online? Students tend to just throw paper in the trash, so they’ll need to have a way to get the information if they need it again.

In fact, I often go radical style and don’t even give them the paper syllabus! Save a forest, you know? I use the Google Drive/Twitter combination, which has worked for me for years. I share the entire folder with my students and tell them to bookmark it because it’s the single most important link they’ll need all semester. Then, anything I add to that folder can be easily accessed.

ESL Syllabus Sample for Teaching in a Korean University

Here are the two most useful ESL course syllabus samples and textbooks that I used when I taught at a Korean university.

ESL Course Syllabus Sample 1

This syllabus sample is from an Advanced English Writing Class that I taught to third and fourth-year English majors. If I taught freshman English, I’d use even simpler language. The textbook I used for this class was: Great Writing 4: From Great Paragraphs to Great Essays. The whole series is excellent, and it’s by far the best textbook I’ve used for teaching writing.

ESL Syllabus Sample 2

This syllabus was used for an Advanced Level Conversation Class for third and fourth-year English majors. The book I used was Touchstone Level 4, and although I used to previously loathe this textbook series, I’ve had a change of heart with the new edition and now think it’s actually quite decent.

Learn More about Teaching at Korean Universities

Check out this short video below for a broad overview of the day in the life of teaching in a Korean university as an ESL instructor.

FAQs About ESL Course Syllabus

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about making an ESL course syllabus.

How do you write ESL syllabus?

The four most important tips for writing an ESL syllabus: use simple language, only provide the basic information about the course, include contact info, and make it available online.

What makes a good ESL lesson?

Set clear objectives and make the learning fun by utilizing materials, games, and activities. There are plenty of free online resources, including games and activities for ESL instructors to use in their classrooms. These activities can keep students interested in the lesson.

How do I teach ESL students?

Create a safe learning environment, connect with your students, try to understand the cultural differences, and beware of the language barrier. The most important thing is to make the learning objectives clear and support the students so that they can stay enthusiastic about learning a new language.

ESL Syllabus Sample: Join the Conversation

Do you have anything you’d like to add about making a syllabus for a university English class in Korea? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think about the ESL course syllabus sample!

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