Teaching: Week 1

(6th grade in the middle of a speaking activity)

This post comes weeks after my actual first week of teaching. But whatever. I started it and decided to finish it.  No pictures. I'll try to make another post soon. Especially since I'm sick and shouldn't be going outside this weekend.

Week one of teaching was actually pretty good.

Before I explain, I need to break down how my classes are divvied up. I have 10 curriculum classes, AKA 10 classes that are actually included in the school day. I teach these classes alongside the regular homeroom teachers. My mentor teacher, Daniel, is the homeroom teacher for the 6th grade. I mostly help with any speaking activities for these classes. As for after school, I teach a total of 6 after school classes, 3 on Monday, and 3 on Friday. I have complete control over what I do for my after school classes, but I try to supplement the curriculum classes and give extra speaking classes. I try to generate more conversation so that the students get used to speaking English.

Anyway, while I had no curriculum classes on Monday, I did have my after school classes. The plan was to make a PowerPoint introducing myself and quiz the kids on what they knew. It went well... for the older kids. OF course, this is because the older kids had more English experience, but I was surprised at the low levels despite the desire to learn English here. I was warned, of course, but we all know how that goes. You have to actually see it to believe it. Simple vocabulary like family member titles and things were well over the abilities of third and fourth graders, who you would think already knew at least those terms. This is weird because there IS a separate English teacher for K-2nd. But it's okay. 'Cuz I'll be showing them.

A short notice: the levels in rural areas are usually pretty low, but not always. But you won't believe me, so I'll say this instead: Meet your students and assess them yourself. I have friends who have pretty advanced students. I have friends who have students whose levels are basically at Zero. Meet your students and assess them yourself. Don't assume they have low levels or high levels. Don't go in with any preconceived notions. Only then can you prepare properly for your first lesson.

Back to the story. My third graders on Monday knew next to no English. They had an extremely small vocabulary (Hello, goodbye, teacher) and were just learning the alphabet properly. But they were a delight anyway, and too cute.

The next few days I basically assisted the homeroom teachers in teaching English and I got to know the students. The 6th grade teacher, Daniel (Daehan), who is also my mentor teacher, was kind enough to have his students make name plates that they had to bring to class for me to use. It was good, because I'm horrible with names. Always have been. The fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Bang, came up with a bunch of games to help me memorize the student's names (only worked for a few of them, though).  There are only six third graders, sot heir names are pretty easy. I gave up on 5th grade pretty easily. I basically learn them as I go.

Friday was my first day of actually teaching. I had 4th, 5th, and 6th grade in the afternoon all by myself. It wasn't that bad, 4th grade was enthusiastic about helping me know their names, especially since I told them I was bad with names. 5th grade was a little apathetic, but then again I realized they should be just coming into puberty and I should keep an eye on them. 6th grade were angels who were energetic, enthusiastic, and ass focused as normal 6th graders can be (enough to do what I told them, but not enough to do it without talking). I think for the most part they like me. But I also know that they're going to test my limits as a teacher. It's what kids do. Good thing I've never been a lenient teacher. I'm pretty strict.

Before I close this out, I must mention my co-teacher, Sera, who is amazing. She's the only reason I can communicate with my 3rd and 4th graders, and the main reason why they pay attention. They like my lessons, but without some Korean translation, they wouldn't be able to understand. And kids need to understand to be interested. Kids lose interest pretty quickly. I thank Sera for being a translator and thus helping my kids see that my lessons can actually be pretty interesting. Or so I hope. I mean, most of it is games to get them to use English actively anyway.

That's all for now, folks.

Cheers!!

Last Days in Busan

Well... it had to happen... I had to leave Busan.

(Mina, for her birthday outing. Saya was cut off, lol.)

This makes me sad, for in the 2 weeks I was there, I decided I really liked Busan. It was a cool town. I felt really comfortable there. Apart from when the older women just touched my hair out of nowhere. That was weird, but I'll get used to it.

Before I commence with the sad farewell to my dream city in S. Korea, I'll tell you about my last few days. On Friday we had just a few more classes, and we had some on Saturday as well. One class on Friday was based on feedback from our practicums, and it was very much appreciated. it showed us the major holes in our lesson plans. But then the lecturers were sure to tell us we'd get better at lesson planning throughout the year if we're dedicated. I certainly am, or else I wouldn't be here.

A side-note: we keep being told we were the best generation so far. And we keep asking each other "How bad were the previous generations?" Really, we weren't monsters, but I can't say that all of us were angels either. I think it's because we took practicums so seriously. I mean, why half-ass something like that? It is a great way to gauge how good we'd be as teachers and get great feedback on our teaching methods.

Moving on. We also had some cool classes now that practicum was over, such as English magic, where we learned magic tricks and used stories in English along with them to keep the children entertained. We also had a Korean History lesson which in my opinion was a little... different from what I expected. It was a good lecture, though. I think the lesson we all agreed was least involved was the psychology lesson. It was a good lesson, but I think it would have helped to tie it to childhood education. Then it would be perfect. For me, I learned most of it in my Psych 1 class. It wasn't really new material. However, the lecturer's enthusiasm was extremely endearing. It's always heart-warming to see someone, especially this cute old man, excited about something like that. I hope he does well in future TaLK lectures, because I do think there is high value in his lecture. He just needs to bring it out!

On both Friday and Saturday, I pretty much stayed in. If I went out, I don't remember. Really, it feels like I was in Busan for 2 years rather than 2 weeks, with all the studied we accomplished in that short amount of time. However, I do remember that the talent show was on Saturday. Unfortunately, there are no pictures or videos. I sang "Timeless" by Kelly Clarkson, but I mixed it with the Korean version. If I do it again, I'll definitely get it on video. It's a good thing it wasn't caught on camera though, I cracked really bad at a key point in the song. Thanks to Lu-Lu for not posting it on Facebook.

(Me, Mina, and CPT)

Sunday, however, was a different matter altogether. My friend Mina's birthday was on Wednesday, but we weren't going to see each other because we would all be in our provinces by then. So we went out in Busan. We went to the Busan National University area and went shopping in the area. I finally had the chance to pick up a sweater that I had been wanting since I saw a Korea student wearing it in New York. You cana get it at a men's store. Saya and I both got one. We found the hip-hop style stores, they were our priority. Korean hip-hop is different from the American style. But that's okay, I still like it. The guys there treated us like superstars though. We were all black and we were all looking around. Whenever we walked into a store, you could sense they were happy to see us. I almost felt famous. But I'm not. I have to keep in mind that they don't get a lot of black people there.

(At a cafe)

We went back to the BUFS dorm for dinner. If it's free, don't deny it. Dinner was good, but Chef wasn't there, so it wasn't as good as usual. After dinner. we gathered again to go hit up the Noraebang. This is my first time singing at the noraebang in S. Korea. Most of the others had done it at least once since arriving. It was really fun, everyone had a good time. There were 5 of us and we sang for about 2 hours. The echo was a bit annoying, but it can make anyone sound like a superstar.

The next day was Monday, which meant the the end of the national orientation. People were getting rather teary, actually. Tanya was worried because she would be away from us, but we promised to go visit her. Also, Amariah and Ryanne were both going to a different province, but at least they'll be together because they applied through their school. Saya and I were both placed in the same province and the same county, so we had our regional orientation together. And Leo and Sebastian. They're with us too. And Gretchen. Go team Damyang. Anyway, after the ceremony, people went out, and some people stayed in for last-minute laundry and packing. Once again, that night was a blur.

(Class C, bro.)

On Tuesday was the last day, we all departed for our provincial orientations. Except for the three Incheon TaLK-ers. They didn't have an orientation. I think. Or as that another group? Mollayo. We left in groups and in waves, but it was still emotional. 2 weeks was more than enough to get attached to our new friends. Probably because we saw each other every day, ate the same meals, had classes together, spent time in the lounge or out on the time together... we were almost like Siamese twins. That's all I'll say for now. Info on Jeonnam will be reserved for the next post!

(waiting to be shipped off to provincial orientation)

Cheers~!

K-Vocab:
Mollayo: I don't know (semi-formal)