Teaching observations 2

We've begun our 4th month in the teaching cycle. At this point, I think it's safe to say I'm a seasoned teacher. At least, I'm comfortable in this style of teaching; the most absurd teaching imaginable. Let me elaborate. Every morning, from 10 until 1pm we teach the Kindergarten children. My class is UCLA which, as you've all seen from the pictures, are the most adorable little sponges that ever existed. I call them my sponges because that sums up their responsibilities here. They are young enough to passively soak up another language so, without actual grammatical practice (reading, writing), they are able to learn through games, songs, etc. Every month, I'm responsible for teaching them a small amount of vocabulary words. Last month we learned the family members and this month we're doing animals. By about the second week, my class has mastered the new vocab and I often feel I'm not challenging them enough. In the short time I've been here, these 5 year olds have digested a large chunk of English vocab, but they're still unable to communicate. And this is not my fault, it's just the prescribed learning cycle. The students aren't expected to be able to phrase sentences and actually speak entirely in English until they've been here for a few years. I agree with this progression, but every day I wish I was able to talk to my children. The only times we are able to move beyond (mother, father, bird, table, scissors, etc.) is when I break the rules and speak in Korean with them. It's frowned upon but, until they are able to tell me in English what they like, what they don't, who is their friend, why their upset, and many other daily questions; I have to speak some Korean. It's a helpless feeling when you are so close (I teach the kids 2 hours of everyday) to the children and yet are unable to communicate with them. This is what drives me to teach them. Not the salary, not the syllabus, but my eagerness to really understand these children. We have Kindergarten helpers that are usually in the class and serve as the translator and, with their Korean, keep the children in line. Still, I hardly know what 5 year olds talk about in English, and I'm completely in dark as to what these little Asians are shouting about. Sometimes I think about scrapping the syllabus and starting some grueling lessons in writing and sentence framing. I think about how helpful it would be if they could get down some verbs, even a simple "I like ____." But I have to remember they're 5 years old and taking all the fun out of the class would be a very dangerous thing. For now, I've decided to continue playing games, jumping, clapping, playing Memory, flash-card basketball, etc. and just focus on my Korean studies. That will be my means to communication. Within the last week or two, I'm starting to hear actual words and phrases when people communicate. It's quite the revelation when you realize you're not entirely deaf. It came on slowly, but I eventually realized I could not block out the Korean conversations around me as easily as before. Soon, I'll be able to pick up on some of the foreigner-bashing that goes around the office. (We are all aware of it and we don't blame them because we make more than the Korean teachers and do half the amount of work they do). So, reverting back to my Kindergarteners, without the ability to conversate, I rely entirely on physical communication. Within the last week or so, my little Jenny girl has taken to finding me in the morning, hugging me and giving me a kiss. It sets the table for a wonderful day. And we're not hindered by the restraints some teachers in America are towards touching the children. It's advised and it is sometimes all we can do. Verbal joking goes unnoticed, but tickling will always get the children laughing. And a major plus to being a Kindergarten teacher is the use of free weights. Literal free weights: the children love to be picked up and I exhaust myself enough tossing them around every day that I have no need for a gym. They love to play Teacher Power where one grabs onto the right bicep, one to the left and I start from my knees and pick them up seeing how long they can hold on. The other teachers have often marveled how, being the youngest teacher here, I am able to run around and play with the children more often and for extended periods of time than they would. So I take a lot of the physical demands off of the other teachers and that's fine with me because it's a good workout and a lot more fun than sitting in a gym with sweaty meatheads and Britany Spears in the background.

My First Korean Friend

Let me tell you about Mr. Park. He's in his midforties, married, a father of two young girls, an ex interpreter for the Korean Army, the host of a radio show (he played American pop-songs and told his audience, in Korean what they meant), the best English speaker I've met thusfar, and my new friend. After that initial meeting at the nightclub, he told Smith he liked me and arranged a meeting. Since then we've been going out together on Friday nights for casual drinking at distinctly Korean spots. This is exactly what I wanted: an authentic Korean to learn the culture from and a celebrity too! He has taken to me because he sees more respect for Korean culture in me than in most foreigners and he needs practice with his English. He hardly lets me speak Korean, but he'll always clarify things for me. His English is impressive though- he has all the idioms down, phrases, and he's hilarious. We talk about how Western culture is changing the respectful, conservative Korea he remembers. Sitting in an outside restaurant at the foothills of a mountain, he told me in great detail all about the girls he used to take to this very park and innocently walk with. It turns out we both lost our mothers at similar ages. This definitely endeared me further with him, and he with I. After his mother died, Park was taken in by an American missionary couple that taught him English and became his parents. He was nearly crying when he spoke of how kind they were. This, he says, is why, no matter how much disrespect he sees in foreigners, he cannot help but love them. His story is a remarkable one, and one that I will share as I further this relationship. He's already invited me out to the beach with his family and told me that, as respected and important as he is, the age difference doesn't matter at all because he likes me.

Unfortunately my camera broke during the wedding but I got it working later that night. This is myself and some of the Korean teachers at the post party. The camera works off and on now, but, thanks to the many wonderful bday gifts I got from my family, I should be able to buy a nice one soon. 

Women aren't allowed to smoke in public, but they can certainly take a refreshing poop. 

This is Daryll (my first roomate) and Tina talking before the wedding. They are entirely unaware of this picture; it is my first successful paparazzi-like hip shot. 

Sunday morning- dressed spiffy and ready for my first Korean wedding. 

After a long week of teaching in front of the parents, myself and a couple other Americans sat outside Friday night and drank beers till the sun came up. I still can't get used to the idea of public drinking being totally legal. They'll actually pop the cap off beers for you at the convenience stores. 

This is the kinda thing that would be racist in America but goes unnoticed here. They actually have a Hitler bar. Yes, and named after adolf, with pictures of him on the door and Nazi memorabilia inside. Insane. 

Konglish

One of the guilty pleasures us foriengers are privy to in Asia is the misuse of English on signs, t-shirts, etc. I found a website that highlights some of Japan's most hillarious grammar mistakes. www.engrish.com Now you can see why this might this is a major perk for me.

Just another Bombtrack

Furthering my belief that Swaton is an exceptional hagwan, Mrs. Gu, our director and owner's wife, invited all the teachers out for drinks last Friday night. I thought this would be very casual and relaxed but Smith had other plans. Every 2 minutes, he would say 'Cheers!' and look around the room to make sure we were all participating. I mentioned that my birthday was the following week and, 15 minutes later, the waiter brought a bottle of champagne (compliments of Mrs. Gu) and everyone present was clapping for me. Usually we have cake and sing Happy Birthday but this was something new, special. In those five minutes I began to really like Mrs. Gu, a women that's said less than 20 words to me. After everyone was feeling friendly, we went to a Noray Bong. Noray Bongs "translated- singing house" are everywhere, almost as numerous as PC Bongs. These are places where friends go, usually drunk but not necessarily, to do private Kareoke. Those of you who have seen "Lost in Translation" have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about. The room was much smaller than I had imagined: a couch that wrapped along the walls, a big screen TV playing videos along with the songs, and a high-tech stereo system that was beyond my RadioShack mind. Smith led off the show with a slow Korean love song and he sang passionately. The audience, around 10 of us, clap along to the songs, and play the tambourine. Once again, I have proof that the rumors of Koreans' singing ability are true. They sing well, and naturally because they don't see any shame in it as we somehow, subconsciously do. Everyone jumped at the opportunity to hit the stage. My roommate Chris and I sang the Doors "Light My Fire" an easy sing and a tune the Koreans knew. We then attempted to rap along with Zack in Rage's "Bombtrack." That was hilarious. Staring out at all the Korean teachers, both my bosses and rapping along to some distorted riffing. I felt much more comfortable than I ever have with Kareoke in America but the difference lies in the audience. At a Noray Bong you are singing in front of your friends as opposed to the strangers looking on at a Kareoke bar. Chris and I were the only ones to sing Western songs but they had enough in their catalog to please a room full of foreigners. This is definitely an aspect of Korean culture I will further investigate and I anticipate my singing will improve immeasurably from the experience.

The bar was closed, but I will keep trying to get in there. If you can't read the blury letters, it says: Radiohead England, Oxford: Welcome to the fucking Kid A world.. 

Never ceases to amaze. More information in one block than people 30 years ago would see in their whole lives. 

This image still knocks me on my ass everytime I see it. Chaos. 

The cheerleaders are a huge reason the foreigners love coming to the baseball games here. That and really, really cheap beer. 

That's the opposing team's side, there were many more on our side but still the park wasn't very packed. 

Mountains in the ballpark- what a fascinating combination. 

Now this is my complete bounty on Teacher's Day. A CD, lots of bathroom products, sweets, some wine glasses and a pipe. 

Slash in the textbook!!! I got to teach a lesson on the electric guitar and rock music to my two fluent 11 year olds. 

One more shot of the mini-mullet. 

This is UCLA minus Alisa. They are picking things in the grass and fighting over them. 

This is tired Tim. I've always liked this kid, Although he has a hard time staying awake at school. He's four years old and, the first week, he would sit with his head down, peek it up just long enough for a yawn and then put it back down again- so cute. 

Dennis; a little bit scared, but a lot of GQ in this little boy. 

Jenny girl on a sunny field trip to the Geology museum. 

Look at Alisa; she loves Pink and no Swaton uniform is getting in the way of her and Pink. 

More fossils. 

T Rex: this is all the children cared to see in the Geology Museum. Rocks, rocks, rocks.......DINOSAUR!!!! 

These colorful lantern are all over Daejon right now. They are hung in celebration of Buddha's birthday (sang il) this Sunday 5/15-05. 

Gifts from my students for Teacher's Day. It's hard to read, but the packaging says, "I Love You. I will always love you. Forever with you." That is classic Konglish. 

This is some artwork by Swaton students. They were on display at a gallery near my apartment.