Hey all, here is another update for ya. This one is a bit text heavy... sorry about that :(
That being said, I think there is a lot of good reading here, so please enjoy :)
Proctoring
So Dec 4th, a lot of the ETAs were able to serve as proctors for a financial exam. We would get compensation for proctoring, so about 30-40 ETAs did it. Around 2000-3000 people were scheduled to take the exam. The exam was taken in one room, divided into probably 30 sections of about 100 people each. Each section had 4 proctors and 1 lead proctor. Needless to say, people took this very seriously.
Let me lay out some of the gritty details:
1. This test costs roughly $700 USD to take.
2. This test came in two parts, both 3 hours apiece.
3. This test has very strict guidelines to proper IDs and proper test taking materials.
4. This test is only offered twice a year.
Most sections were without drama and very boring. Many ETAs told me they made up English names for candidates, counted wedding rings, rated outfits etc... My section did have a little spice to it.
Two of the test takers had improper IDs. The dates on their ID and their test information didn't match. However, we discovered this after the test had already begun. We were unable to tell them that their tests would be invalid because of the mismatched ids. They LABORED through the first 3 hour section even though it would not even be graded. They both fought to take the 2nd half, but were ultimately refused. They studied this past year for this test, paid $700, and were not being kicked out for invalid IDs. I'd be pissed too. I wish them the best next year...
I think they just mis-typed a few things on their web registration. This is why you should always double check all things done in the interweb. That thing can be untrustworthy! Buttons, flash apps, scroll lock, pagedown, whatever. Double check fellas.
J's Birthday
So I owe a big shout out to J, S and the rest of the Fulbright Office this week. I crashed at J's place because my students were taking exams and I wanted to spend time in Seoul. I got to check off more relatives from my 'have gone to see' list. I also signed a sublease contract for the apartment I will be staying at in Seoul for Jan-Feb. Overall a really good break. I feel like I should have gotten more stuff done (see. grad apps) but there is always tomorrow! :)
On the 4th, there was a preemptive celebration because more ETAs were in town. We had Mexican. Burritos. Guac. It was amazing.
Dec. 5th was J's actual birthday. While most of the ETAs proctored the tests, J was taking the LSAT. I was one of the only ETAs that had that Monday off, so I got to share in the birthday festivities. The office had some cake and snacks prepared for him. I caught dinner with family, but made it back to have a great post dinner celebration. We did like Koreans do and went to a Sauna. Nothing like sitting in 100 degrees Fahrenheit water and just getting all the grime off your body. After soaking in hot water, medicinal water (it burns!!), ginseng water, and a cold rinse, our bodies were refreshed (my special parts were especially tingly). It was a great experience all for the price of 6,000 won. Who doesn't want to spend their birthday in the company of naked men? Am I right??
한빛맹학교 (Korean Light School for the Blind)
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of going to Hanbit School for the Blind. It really was an eye opening experience for me (forgive me for the puns...). I have to say that I'm really impressed with the staff, administration, and our ETA S who works there. I think she is one of the few people in our program who would be able to handle an environment like that. Basic Korean language and a genuine love and passion for the kids are a MUST at this school.
I learned a lot about this school, and special needs students in general, during my short time here. I'm really humbled by this experience and apply the lessons I learned going forward. For your sake, I will condense it as much as I can.
1. The students at Hanbit are just like any other Korean students - They act very similarly to my students, Make the same English mistakes that my students make, and engage other students and teachers in the same way. Lots of playful banter. Girls talking about boys, boys talking about becoming celebrities. I'm sure that this has a great deal to do with how hard their parents and teachers work to create this type of atmosphere for them.
2. Many students have multiple disabilities - I guess these students are referred to as Multis. All of the students have visual disabilities, but this can be compounded with other disabilities like autism. It is already had enough to teach to regular students. It blew my mind that a school and serve so many needs at once.
One thing I tried to focus on with these students in particular was affirmation and sense of touch. I tried to go up to the students and give them a touch on their back or shoulder when they would do something correctly. There was one particular middle school boy who seemed particularly "angsty", so I forced hugs upon him. I think it is so important to really live in the role as a teacher. We must remember to always encourage our students and create a safe environment. We are their preparation for the real world.
Overall, it was a revealing experience for me. I'm sure the school is not 100% perfect, no schools are. But, I think a lot of good work happens at Hanbit and I really want to go back again.
North Korea Defectors Program
So we had another successful NKD program with 4 students showing up this time. We again separated into separate levels. It is always difficult changing from young student classes to adult classes, but I thought we did a good job with our beginner group. I'm really sorry to these students because of our random time commitments and the lack of materials, but we will work with them with much vigor and organization in March.
However, I think we are making some segue into better personal relationships as the students talk to us about other things besides English and offer up some information about their past. I don't want to force this issue, but I am very curious about their journeys up until this point. This gives me extra motivation to invest in these classes to help them along!
Also, one of our students is pregnant! This is really exciting news right? That ought to be a great lesson! I'll have to post pictures later if I can!
Basketball Final Dinner
Yesterday, we had our basketball final dinner. All of the team met in the restaurant owned by one of the team member's mom. About 15 of us crammed into a room for heavy eating, drinking, playing and fun. First course was SamGyupSal, followed by fried rice, followed by chips, cookies, and snacks followed by friend chicken, followed by ice cream. It was intense... Though I left, most everybody stayed for the night. It was very formal for a group of friends, with speeches, awards, and a captain change.
I was awkwardly called out to name all the people in our team. I only knew like 3 of em. It was so embarrassing... I gotta get their names down pat asap.
It was really fun to see how young adults play in Korea in their time off. I was really glad they invited me. I learned a lot of new drinking games and was reminded that these people wanted to take care of me. I'm happy that I met them. One of them asked me to stay another year so we can win our division next year. Haha. Basketball can always forge friendships.
Random Pictures
That being said, I think there is a lot of good reading here, so please enjoy :)
Proctoring
So Dec 4th, a lot of the ETAs were able to serve as proctors for a financial exam. We would get compensation for proctoring, so about 30-40 ETAs did it. Around 2000-3000 people were scheduled to take the exam. The exam was taken in one room, divided into probably 30 sections of about 100 people each. Each section had 4 proctors and 1 lead proctor. Needless to say, people took this very seriously.
Let me lay out some of the gritty details:
1. This test costs roughly $700 USD to take.
2. This test came in two parts, both 3 hours apiece.
3. This test has very strict guidelines to proper IDs and proper test taking materials.
4. This test is only offered twice a year.
Most sections were without drama and very boring. Many ETAs told me they made up English names for candidates, counted wedding rings, rated outfits etc... My section did have a little spice to it.
Two of the test takers had improper IDs. The dates on their ID and their test information didn't match. However, we discovered this after the test had already begun. We were unable to tell them that their tests would be invalid because of the mismatched ids. They LABORED through the first 3 hour section even though it would not even be graded. They both fought to take the 2nd half, but were ultimately refused. They studied this past year for this test, paid $700, and were not being kicked out for invalid IDs. I'd be pissed too. I wish them the best next year...
I think they just mis-typed a few things on their web registration. This is why you should always double check all things done in the interweb. That thing can be untrustworthy! Buttons, flash apps, scroll lock, pagedown, whatever. Double check fellas.
J's Birthday
So I owe a big shout out to J, S and the rest of the Fulbright Office this week. I crashed at J's place because my students were taking exams and I wanted to spend time in Seoul. I got to check off more relatives from my 'have gone to see' list. I also signed a sublease contract for the apartment I will be staying at in Seoul for Jan-Feb. Overall a really good break. I feel like I should have gotten more stuff done (see. grad apps) but there is always tomorrow! :)
On the 4th, there was a preemptive celebration because more ETAs were in town. We had Mexican. Burritos. Guac. It was amazing.
Dec. 5th was J's actual birthday. While most of the ETAs proctored the tests, J was taking the LSAT. I was one of the only ETAs that had that Monday off, so I got to share in the birthday festivities. The office had some cake and snacks prepared for him. I caught dinner with family, but made it back to have a great post dinner celebration. We did like Koreans do and went to a Sauna. Nothing like sitting in 100 degrees Fahrenheit water and just getting all the grime off your body. After soaking in hot water, medicinal water (it burns!!), ginseng water, and a cold rinse, our bodies were refreshed (my special parts were especially tingly). It was a great experience all for the price of 6,000 won. Who doesn't want to spend their birthday in the company of naked men? Am I right??
Seoul or Cancun?
Holy Guacamole...
After the customary birthday poncho and sombrero
Mellow out...
Feliz cumpleaños!
한빛맹학교 (Korean Light School for the Blind)
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of going to Hanbit School for the Blind. It really was an eye opening experience for me (forgive me for the puns...). I have to say that I'm really impressed with the staff, administration, and our ETA S who works there. I think she is one of the few people in our program who would be able to handle an environment like that. Basic Korean language and a genuine love and passion for the kids are a MUST at this school.
I learned a lot about this school, and special needs students in general, during my short time here. I'm really humbled by this experience and apply the lessons I learned going forward. For your sake, I will condense it as much as I can.
1. The students at Hanbit are just like any other Korean students - They act very similarly to my students, Make the same English mistakes that my students make, and engage other students and teachers in the same way. Lots of playful banter. Girls talking about boys, boys talking about becoming celebrities. I'm sure that this has a great deal to do with how hard their parents and teachers work to create this type of atmosphere for them.
2. Many students have multiple disabilities - I guess these students are referred to as Multis. All of the students have visual disabilities, but this can be compounded with other disabilities like autism. It is already had enough to teach to regular students. It blew my mind that a school and serve so many needs at once.
One thing I tried to focus on with these students in particular was affirmation and sense of touch. I tried to go up to the students and give them a touch on their back or shoulder when they would do something correctly. There was one particular middle school boy who seemed particularly "angsty", so I forced hugs upon him. I think it is so important to really live in the role as a teacher. We must remember to always encourage our students and create a safe environment. We are their preparation for the real world.
Overall, it was a revealing experience for me. I'm sure the school is not 100% perfect, no schools are. But, I think a lot of good work happens at Hanbit and I really want to go back again.
Sugar and Caffeine necessary for teaching
I worked with this homie on the alphabet
The bro that needed a hug
Latched on
North Korea Defectors Program
So we had another successful NKD program with 4 students showing up this time. We again separated into separate levels. It is always difficult changing from young student classes to adult classes, but I thought we did a good job with our beginner group. I'm really sorry to these students because of our random time commitments and the lack of materials, but we will work with them with much vigor and organization in March.
However, I think we are making some segue into better personal relationships as the students talk to us about other things besides English and offer up some information about their past. I don't want to force this issue, but I am very curious about their journeys up until this point. This gives me extra motivation to invest in these classes to help them along!
Also, one of our students is pregnant! This is really exciting news right? That ought to be a great lesson! I'll have to post pictures later if I can!
Basketball Final Dinner
Yesterday, we had our basketball final dinner. All of the team met in the restaurant owned by one of the team member's mom. About 15 of us crammed into a room for heavy eating, drinking, playing and fun. First course was SamGyupSal, followed by fried rice, followed by chips, cookies, and snacks followed by friend chicken, followed by ice cream. It was intense... Though I left, most everybody stayed for the night. It was very formal for a group of friends, with speeches, awards, and a captain change.
I was awkwardly called out to name all the people in our team. I only knew like 3 of em. It was so embarrassing... I gotta get their names down pat asap.
It was really fun to see how young adults play in Korea in their time off. I was really glad they invited me. I learned a lot of new drinking games and was reminded that these people wanted to take care of me. I'm happy that I met them. One of them asked me to stay another year so we can win our division next year. Haha. Basketball can always forge friendships.
My award!
Random Pictures
Some dank food I had with my buddy K in Seoul
Who says there is nothing good in Itaewon? This brunch is banging!
Found above urinals in Korea
Tears aren't the only thing a man should spill...
Basketball team meetings usually involve these guys, food, drinks, and games
Snowing in Gochang
Futha Muckin Cold! I need ma boots!
More fun things to come soon! Off to finish my lesson for this week and watch Bridesmaids!
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