So... It began. My first day of class. I thought it would be awkward to go around school today snapping photos, so I just have words for you. Sorry everybody, but I'll try to snap pics later.
So, my daily schedule will consist of waking up around 6:45 and catching the school bus at 7:45. Then I will wait for my first class to begin around 8:50 and will usually be at school until 4:10. I have random two hour gaps in my teaching schedule, so I hope to get a lot of studying/reading done during those times.
The school: There is a brand new gym, but the actual school is really old. They were actually doing construction today so I guess it is in the process of renovation. There are about 450 students, and I will teach all but 100 of them. I think it will be really awesome to get to know most of them. Their English levels range from proficient to illiterate. Overall the school gives the feel of high beginner, low intermediate? The soccer team at my school seems to be the big deal, with the guys being exempt from a lot of classes to practice. It makes me wish I could play soccer so I can join in with them haha.
The students: I had two problem students in one of my classes, but I have no problem being a disciplinarian. I actually kind of enjoy it. Most of the students are well-behaved, just of a lower level. I also teach vocational students, so the motivation is not really there to learn English. I think I will just try to make it an enjoyable class for them instead of going over lots actual material. Also, it really perplexed the students that I am Korean but cannot speak Korean. Its hard for me to maintain too, as the students levels can be really, really low. Remember, these are high school students.
For example:
Me: Ok write down your hobby.
Student (in Korean): What is hobby?
Co-Teacher (in Korean): Hobby is 취미.
I nod along to verify
Student (in Korean to the co-teacher): What is 취미?
I am flabbergasted
This made me think that I will have a difficult year, but the lowest students need the most help and can improve the most. It really motivated me to do a good job this year.
The Food: Was banging. That is all.
In the end, I was really tired, and had to go back to nap. I woke up around 6:00 pm for a good dinner. Then around 8:00 pm, we headed out to SK telecom to get me a phone.
- Foreigners -
So I am a foreigner and I usually sit back and let my host mom do the talking. Its an interesting way to observe people as I seem like a complete foreigner. They always ask my host mom if I speak Korean, and she says I do. However, this does not stop them from being awed when I speak Korean. The guy at SK is a friend of my host dad so he was very nice to us. The students act similarly. They don't speak in a nice flowery Korean that I am used to hearing. Its rough, its improper, and at some times very rude. Speaking to a teacher in the informal speech is really, really rude. If they think I don't speak Korean, they just go alllllll out. Ha ha. I dropped some Korean on them to shut them up though.
Anyway, at the cellphone shop, they asked for my Alien Registration Card. When I showed them the sticker in my passport, they asked me to to show them my actual card. I told them I don't have one and that we didn't get one. They showed me an example. It was a Vietnamese woman's F.id Card. We then talked about how, Gochang in particular, Korea is dealing with an influx of foreign women (particularly from the Philippines and Vietnam). There is a multicultural family support center next to my homestay too. The attitude that people have for these foreign women is not great. I wouldn't say racist, but definitely superior. As we were talking, a man and his South Asian wife came into the store. They didn't show any attitude or mistreat her, but the fact that we were discussing it earlier shows that the Koreans still cast some judgement on the immigrant wives. It was really interesting to see. There is a good article in last week's Economist that talks about Asian women not getting married in the developed countries. Not many women want to stay here in a rural area and live the hard life. I think if the Koreans can drop any attitude against these South Asian women, they will really fit right it. I really wish these families the best of luck.
Anyway, I know I rambled, but I figured that's what blogs are for. I'll try to add some photos before the weekend, but no guarantees.
- Anthony
So, my daily schedule will consist of waking up around 6:45 and catching the school bus at 7:45. Then I will wait for my first class to begin around 8:50 and will usually be at school until 4:10. I have random two hour gaps in my teaching schedule, so I hope to get a lot of studying/reading done during those times.
The school: There is a brand new gym, but the actual school is really old. They were actually doing construction today so I guess it is in the process of renovation. There are about 450 students, and I will teach all but 100 of them. I think it will be really awesome to get to know most of them. Their English levels range from proficient to illiterate. Overall the school gives the feel of high beginner, low intermediate? The soccer team at my school seems to be the big deal, with the guys being exempt from a lot of classes to practice. It makes me wish I could play soccer so I can join in with them haha.
The students: I had two problem students in one of my classes, but I have no problem being a disciplinarian. I actually kind of enjoy it. Most of the students are well-behaved, just of a lower level. I also teach vocational students, so the motivation is not really there to learn English. I think I will just try to make it an enjoyable class for them instead of going over lots actual material. Also, it really perplexed the students that I am Korean but cannot speak Korean. Its hard for me to maintain too, as the students levels can be really, really low. Remember, these are high school students.
For example:
Me: Ok write down your hobby.
Student (in Korean): What is hobby?
Co-Teacher (in Korean): Hobby is 취미.
I nod along to verify
Student (in Korean to the co-teacher): What is 취미?
I am flabbergasted
This made me think that I will have a difficult year, but the lowest students need the most help and can improve the most. It really motivated me to do a good job this year.
The Food: Was banging. That is all.
In the end, I was really tired, and had to go back to nap. I woke up around 6:00 pm for a good dinner. Then around 8:00 pm, we headed out to SK telecom to get me a phone.
- Foreigners -
So I am a foreigner and I usually sit back and let my host mom do the talking. Its an interesting way to observe people as I seem like a complete foreigner. They always ask my host mom if I speak Korean, and she says I do. However, this does not stop them from being awed when I speak Korean. The guy at SK is a friend of my host dad so he was very nice to us. The students act similarly. They don't speak in a nice flowery Korean that I am used to hearing. Its rough, its improper, and at some times very rude. Speaking to a teacher in the informal speech is really, really rude. If they think I don't speak Korean, they just go alllllll out. Ha ha. I dropped some Korean on them to shut them up though.
Anyway, at the cellphone shop, they asked for my Alien Registration Card. When I showed them the sticker in my passport, they asked me to to show them my actual card. I told them I don't have one and that we didn't get one. They showed me an example. It was a Vietnamese woman's F.id Card. We then talked about how, Gochang in particular, Korea is dealing with an influx of foreign women (particularly from the Philippines and Vietnam). There is a multicultural family support center next to my homestay too. The attitude that people have for these foreign women is not great. I wouldn't say racist, but definitely superior. As we were talking, a man and his South Asian wife came into the store. They didn't show any attitude or mistreat her, but the fact that we were discussing it earlier shows that the Koreans still cast some judgement on the immigrant wives. It was really interesting to see. There is a good article in last week's Economist that talks about Asian women not getting married in the developed countries. Not many women want to stay here in a rural area and live the hard life. I think if the Koreans can drop any attitude against these South Asian women, they will really fit right it. I really wish these families the best of luck.
Anyway, I know I rambled, but I figured that's what blogs are for. I'll try to add some photos before the weekend, but no guarantees.
- Anthony
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