Teaching and other......Experiences...

So I've been in Korea for two and a half months now and I haven't written about my experiences at my job. The main thing that brought me to South Korea. Part of my hesitation was that it was all so new to me. The other part was that I've been trying to think of the right words to write about something that I probably should title "Working at a Korean Private School - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." Well, I think it's time to give you a glimpse into my working life her in SK.

THE GOOD
I love my students! I'm having so much fun teaching them, disciplining them, and laughing with them. I teach a wide range of age levels from Kindergarten to Middle School. There are almost 100 students in the school and I teach every one of them at least once a week. My Kindergartners I see twice a week and we have fun singing, dancing, drawing, and reading stories. They learn English words so quickly it's amazing. The Elementary students make up the majority of the classes. They are all at different language levels. Classes are divided by age and language level...sort of. Some of the students are awesome and some are very naughty. When I deal with the naughty students I feel like I have to play the character of a stern teacher. Some of my finest acting yet!  If it wasn't for my acting I think I would burst out laughing at these students. They don't realize how much fun they could have with me if they just behaved. Oh well. Some kids have to learn things the hard way. (The same could be said about adults too.) My Middle School students are at that age when they're too cool for school. They keep me on my toes as I try to plan lessons that are creative enough to peek their interest. In a way I feel like I'm tricking them into learning. But hey, that's the name of the game. Classes start at 3pm and go until 8pm. I have two hours of prep time before classes start and an hour after classes end to prepare. I also have at least 45 minutes between 3-8pm of prep time as well. Each class is 45 minutes long with a 5 minute break between each class. My biggest struggle has been being able to teach all of the material in the allotted time. I've started to skip sections in the books or teach my own creative lesson covering the same topic in the book in order to address this issue. What's cool is that this is exactly what I learned to do in my TEFL course. Can I just say that I am SO THANKFUL that I took a TEFL Certification course. Teaching has been an easy adjustment since I received the training and practice of lesson planning and teaching ESL effectively.

THE BAD
I knew the language barrier would be a struggle at my job but I didn't anticipate the problems with miscommunication. Sometimes I will say a simple sentence like, "Should I come at 2pm?" and the person I'm talking to will have no idea what I'm asking. They will then start to come up with a completely unrelated answer before finally coming around to saying "I think that maybe you should come at 2pm." I'm not kidding. Every few days the Western teachers have a meeting with the directors. In the meeting the directors explain different programs or changes that are happening in the school. This is the biggest area of miscommunication. I've learned to ask only a few key questions so that I and the directors don't get ourselves really confused. There are also many things that happen at the last minute at my school. I'm told this is a common thing in Hagwons (Private Schools) all over Korea. Case in point, recently I and my fellow Western teacher were told that we had to go to a mandatory expat teachers meeting in Changwon. No biggie. The problem was that we were told the day before the meeting! This was the case for every teacher I spoke with at the meeting. Good thing I didn't make plans for that day with a friend. :(  We also were told we had to come up with eight topics for a Winter Immersion Course in 6 days. It didn't help that neither of us had ever planned a Winter Immersion course before and were not really sure what the focus was supposed to be for the Courses. Last minute things like that lead to poor planning and poor results over all. I definitely learned that in my TEFL teaching course as well as from real life experiences. Oh well. All I can do is trust the Lord to work out the details.

THE UGLY
I know what you're thinking. "I thought you just listed the bad things. How can there be more?" Well this relates to the Korean education system as a whole. Students have a lot of pressure in their life. If they don't do well in school they may not get to go to University (or in the case of my students - High School). And by don't do well I mean get less than a B+ average. On top of that, some of the parents put a lot of pressure on their kids to be the best. Just 'good' isn't good enough. Hey, that's why I even have a job. All of my students go to a Public School during the day (where they also learn English) and then their parents pay for them to get extra schooling in the evening - thus you have Hagwons. Some of my students come in completely worn out. There are a few Middle Schoolers that I have to constantly tell to sit up in class otherwise they have their heads down and are falling asleep. One of my students told me that his 18 year old High School brother has a daily schedule that looks like this:
6-7am - Wake up and have breakfast
7am-10pm - School
10-11pm - Dinner
11pm-1am - Studying
1-6am - Sleep
.....and the cycle repeats itself daily.
That's only 5 hours of sleep a day! No one can focus and learn adequately with that kind of schedule. Pressure.  One of my Elementary students once had to read an article about how recess is good for kids (it was from an American magazine). When I asked her if students in South Korea had recess she said no, just physical education class. Wow. I can't imagine Elementary school without recess. I still remember the fun I had with my friends during that time. It gave me something to look forward to when I had to endure the stress and boredom of learning in class.  I guess the only recess kids get here is their free time between classes. No wonder they run around like crazy in the hallways between class. It's the only time they get to play in school.

Here's a short documentary that shows a glimpse into the life of a high school student here in Korea:
 ExamiNation: a short documentary


EXTRA
My school is having a Speech Contest and the kids have written their own speeches. Here are some interesting/funny samples from their speeches. Some of them made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and some of them just made me sad.

"I want to be a scientist so I can give poor children soft things, toys and mini bicycles, for presents like Santa Clause who gives gifts to chidren at night."

"If I become a singer I will be popular but I'll have a sore throat." 

"My brother is 6 years old. My brother is a boy but he likes girlish accessories."

"My dream job is to be a cook. I will be a great cook like my father." (ps. - this student's father isn't a chef, he just makes good food at home :D )

"I want to be a judge. Another reason to be a judge is that my parents want to make me a judge."

"Hello, my name is Mario. Today I am talking about my hero. My hero is Super Mario."

"My heroine is Teacher Claire because she is kind and respectful. Some people say she is the devil, but I think she is an angel."

"I want to be a president because I can make people live happily and lead well. I will discuss with North Korea and prevent the war. Then soldiers happy too. If you take me as president, I will make Korea better. Korea fighting!"  (spoken like a true politician)

"My father is scary."

"My parents are not very strict. They are nice to me so I like them. I really love my family."

"I have lots of family members like this so we do many interesting things and have fun together. It makes it noisy but I love my family anyway."  (sounds like my family)

"My father works hard so he can't play with me. He's so tired of work but he goes to work everyday."

"My mom is poor at cooking but her heart is warm."

Celebrating in Changwon

Today in the Bible Study with my church, Hanbit International Christian Fellowship, we discussed the value of celebration in the life of a Believer. That joy and celebration go hand in hand. So with that in mind, I think it's a good time to share with you my experiences celebrating the city of Changwon.

A few weeks ago Changwon had a city festival. They do it every year. The unique thing about the festival this year is that they did it in the pouring rain. Yup. It rained the entire time of their special Festival Parade. And I was there for every soggy moment of it. I think the pictures and videos say it all.

This poor security guard had to stand like this in the rain for the entire parade.

The parade had a low turn out due to the rain.

The Changwon City mascot. I call him 'Fro Boy.

Korean Navy guys. Our city is near a Navy Base.

Look! Native Americans in Korea!

Transformers?!

The next day was bright and sunny which was great because the Changwon Kpop World Music Festival was scheduled to take place outside in the middle of the city. For those of you who don't know this about me: I like Kpop (Korean Pop) music. I don't like all of it. Inappropriate groups and girl groups that are too cutesy I avoid. But I really love to watch the dances of the 2-10 member groups and laugh at the crazy outfits, hair, and make-up. I kind of see Kpop as a form of Musical Theater, only without speaking lines and in short 5 minute performances.

My favorite Kpop group is Shinee.

 

Anyways, I went to the Kpop World Music Festival where teams from around the world sang and danced to their favorite Kpop songs in order to win a cash prize. Professional Kpop groups also performed at this event so I was able to see some artists that I knew.

 

Watching the bands rehearse before the concert.

I liked this lighting design.

FT Island performs. I like this group.

There were lots of pyro-effects.

 

 

 

So that was a few weeks ago. Since then, I've gone on a cultural trip to Gyeongju with my church that I'll write about later and just lived life as a English Teacher. One final thing I did to celebrate my wonderful city was to visit Yongi Lake to see their nightly laser light fountain show. For those of you from Cleveland, think of the Christmas Tower City Fountain show but bigger, in the middle of a lake, with more dancing fountain water, and music, lights, and lasers.  I really enjoyed the show. Here is my attempt at taking some pictures:

 

 

Random Stuff

While I was waiting for the Fountain Light Show to begin I had an hour to kill so I decided to go for a walk around the lake. As I was walking I heard music and singing. I discovered a group of University students performing acoustic guitar music by the lake. They had microphones and speakers and everything. I'm not really sure why they were performing in the cold but I thought they did a great job so I stood with the onlookers and listened and clapped along with the music. I could tell some of the students standing around were curious about me because they were doing that thing that I occasionally notice Koreans do where they look at you and then look away when you look at them, but then they try to sneak a look when they think you don't notice. Haha. It's pretty funny. (Actually, I sometimes do it to them as well. ;P)  I wondered if someone was going to say something to me. People sometimes say 'hi' to me in English and then get all excited when I say 'hi' back. Well, lo and behold, a girl came up to me, handed me a gift, and said, "This is for you." It was candy and a liquid filled square thing. The student performers were handing these gifts out to people who answered questions in between sets. I guess I got a gift just for being a foreigner. :) Later, a guy came up and asked me where I was from. I feel like next time I'm asked that question I should be ready with a question to ask back so that I can help the person practice their English more. Conversations seem so bland when they end with "I'm from the USA." "Oh." All in all, I'm glad I got to meet these University Students. They reminded me of the students that always used to hang out at Starbucks at home. 

 

The gifts from the Uni students.

 

And now I'll leave you with a random picture of the McDonald's delivery scooters. Yes. You can get McDonald's delivered here in Korea. The way the delivery guys drive puts a new meaning to the phrase "Fast Food." Look Out!

 

 







Walking

Here are two videos. One is my walk through my neighborhood and the other is a walk through City 7 Mall. Enjoy!

My neighborhood.

 

City 7 Mall. (Sorry it's so blurry.)

 

City Lights, Karaoke, and the Lake Effect

EVERY NIGHT when I leave work I see city lights in the distance. They are so bright that they beckon to me to come and explore; see the possibilities. Last week I gave in to that call and decided to take a detour on my way home. I just followed the lights. Boy was I surprised at what I found! Now, I'm about a 10 minute bus ride away from downtown, and that's where a majority of the lights are located. The city, the buildings, the stores, everything lights up at night. Imagine my surprised when I discovered a mini shopping/restaurant 'city' area right next door to my neighborhood. All I had to do was cross the river. Once I crossed the bridge over the river and followed the underground tunnel I entered a place full of life and energy. There were restaurants everywhere. People everywhere. And taxis everywhere. I had a great time just looking in windows, attempting to read signs, and trying to dodge cars and taxi's (since there were no sidewalks). The area was probably only about four blocks deep and five blocks wide but it felt like I'd stepped into another world. I'm definitely going to go back and try one of the many wonderful restaurants I saw serving Korean food.

The underground tunnel that I had to take to cross the street.

Which way do I go? Left or Right?

Traveling up the stairs

The lights begin.

So many places. So many lights.

A view of the City 7 apartments.

After my 'city' exploration I crossed a romantic twilight bridge (when you see the photos you'll understand what I mean) and was back in my quiet residential neighborhood. I'm really enjoying the area where I live.

The romantic bridge

Back in my neighborhood.

LAST FRIDAY my bosses decided to take all of the staff out to dinner. It was kind of a welcome to me and my coworker and a good-bye to our secretary, who was leaving to explore new job opportunities. We went to a Korean Barbecue located in City 7 Mall. At a Korean barbecue you cook the food at the table. I loved the experience. The food was great and I had fun with my coworkers. Also, I learned the proper way to cook food at the table.

First, the waiter brings the hot coals.

Next, they add the cooking tray.

Now, you add some meat and veggies.

Cut up the meat with scissors into bite-sized pieces.

Have some Kimchi Jigae (Stew) on the side if you desire.

Don't forget the panchan (side dishes).

Put them in a lettuce leaf with the meat and stuff the whole thing in your mouth.

Sophie, the Secretary. It was her last day. :(

Jessie, one of the Korean Teachers. 

Wilhelm, the other Western Teacher at my school. He's from South Africa.

My Employers Esther and Donald

Here's the restaurant. Those snake-like things are vents for the smoke as the food cooks.

Afterwards we went to a Noraebang (Karaoke Room) and sang some songs together. This is typical Korean fun. Hanging out and singing together. I loved it. Well, I love to sing. But I also love to dance. I decided that since we were in our own room and lights were flashing everywhere I would dance. So I did. My coworkers and bosses probably thought I was goofy but I didn't care I was having fun!

The City 7 Noraebang

Hi!

Dancing all by myself.

ON SUNDAY I went to church and a Bible Study afterwards. Good time of spiritual refreshment. Then I decided to visit Yongi Park and Yongi Lake near downtown.  I walked around Yongi Park and took pictures of historical statues and structures. It's hard to believe that these items were around thousands of years ago. The USA is so young compared to Korea so I'm not used to walking through a park and seeing statues that are thousands of years old as park decoration.

Cool statue at the entrance to Yongi Park.

 

This was at the entrance to the park.

Ancient Statues

After the stroll through the park I decided I wanted some Cold Stone ice cream. Yes Cold Stone Creamery is in South Korea! My  boss told me it was located near the lake. Actually he said it was behind Burger King. I remember stumbling across Burger King during my last exploration of downtown so I decided I would try to find it and then find Cold Stone from there. Well, half an hour later, I almost gave up my search for this delicious ice cream when I discovered it wasn't directly behind Burger King (and it took me awhile to find that place). But I stumbled upon it eventually. Yay! And it was everything I hoped it would be.

I saw Starbucks and just had to take a picture of the name in Korean.

 

Cool Fountain I saw as I wondered through the city.

 

See. Cold Stone is in Korea.

Founder's Favorite. Delicious!

I took my ice cream and sat but the lake and watched the sun set. It was nice and relaxing.

Yongi Lake

Decorations for the Changwon Festival which is happening this weekend.

The lake at night.