Because I said so

I am my mother's daughter. Growing up, hearing "Because I said so" was possibly the most irritating thing. But...[queue ironic music]...I find myself resorting to that response. Yikes. However, I do realize how much easier it is to say that to a child than to explain why it is. I'm making conscious efforts to reduce my use of the phrase.

My 7-9 year olds do not listen. They do not listen to me; they do not listen to the other Korean teachers; they just do not listen. Today, Brian - a completely disrespectful, loud, attention-seeking 7 year old threw papers out the window today.  As I was writing words on the board for pronunciation, Brian yelled, "Teacher! Three - Two..." I turned and screamed NO! DON'T! STOP! NOOO! just as he reached one and let the papers fly.  I'm not exactly sure how much spanking is allowed, so I grabbed the first teacher I saw - the 25 year old new guy to ask him to address Brian in Korean since they dont understand English well enough.  The teacher looked stunned that I asked him to do this and said something in Korean to Brian. I assume he was just telling Brian, in the nicest Korean voice I've heard to date, not to do it.  I did not feel that justice was served or the Brian got the idea that littering is bad. So, after class I told Jungwha.  She attempted to talk to Brian, but he just stuck his nose in the air and walked away. That's ridiculous! But later, Brian came to me and apologized, but we all know those are just words.

Since Halloween is approaching, I decided to have a Halloween party for my students.  The one stipulation is that they had to write a scary/ghost story in order to have a party.  So, that was nice.  What I didn't realize is how ungrateful, stingy, and selfish most of these kids are. It's mainly the boys, but some girls as well.  I gave them a good bit of snacks, but they were constantly coming directly beneath me to hold out their hands and demand, "Give me more." So, to spite them, I do not give them more.  (Also I bought just enough for the amount I gave them).  Then, today one student had some bread, and so the flock of children bombard this student to hold out their hands and say they want some.  They are not appeased until their hands are full.  The one student couldn't move anywhere because the other children were surrounding her. I think it's ridiculous. Is this how it is with children back home?

The Life of a Korean Woman

Today was interesting.  Usually I get the "Teacher you so pretty" or "Teacher blue eyes," but today was an egomaniac's nightmare. (Good thing I'm far from egomaniacal)

My first class, Andy, a nine year old boy smarter than most, said, "Teacher, you have baby?"
"No, Andy, I don't."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm only 22 and don't have a husband."
"Teacher, you old. 22 is old."
"No, it's young!"
"No, 22 is old. 9+13. Teacher's old. I'm young."
Thanks, Andy!!

This is Andy and me.

In one middle school class, we were talking about the difference of cultures. What people look for in mates. I asked them to which they said "Everyone in Korea - pretty face first." So I asked what makes a person pretty and one kid, Luke, said "Plastic surgery." I couldn't help but laugh.

Then, one student asked "Teacher, are you married?" "No, I'm not married." "Teacher, you have a boyfriend?" "No, I don't have a boyfriend." "Oh, sad."

haha. So, I have realized through conversations with and expectations of my students as well as observation the life of a Korean woman. It goes a little something like this:
- go to school and date
- get married
- have [many] kids immediately
- be a housewife and mommy
That is it. That is all. Only in unfortunate families do women work.

To further stress how kind all the Koreans I have met are, I am compelled to tell this story.  Today, my smartest student, a third year middle school girl named "Ellen" came up to talk to me.  She usually talks to me a good bit between classes and she asked for my phone number and such.  Well, today she says that she told her mother about me, the native English teacher and her mother asked where I lived and if I was by myself.  Her mother told Ellen to invite me to their house for dinner and to spend time with her family! How unbelievalby generous and kind is that?! I was so touched.

Update

So, I realize that I have been slacking on blogging. My work load has gotten larger, so whenever I get home, I'm pretty tired.  I know regularly stay until 10pm teaching.  I have quite a few middle school students.  It is amazing how some of my elementary students are far surpasing even the middle schoolers. Anywho - here are some small updates.

- Trisha quit the institute and is now working at a Kindy institute.
- The Kindy institute where she works wants to hire me when my contract ends with this one.
- Apparently we (the teachers) have to sweep and mop the floors of the institute daily.
- Any suggestions I have given to better the institute have been blatantly ignored.
- I get students in different classes daily. Or sometimes the classes don't meet at the last minute. Or I get a new class at the last minute, so preparing lesson plans is pretty much futile.
- Every day is a struggle not to scream because my schedule was once again changed.

- I have a 9 year old (little Andy) who can spell cupboard, mountain, etc and hold a decent conversation with me in the same class with another 9 year old (big Andy) who cannot spell red and only says "teacher monkey." This is purely because big Andy's mother no longer wants him in phonics class, so the director/boss obliged her and as a result, nothing is getting accomplished because I try to help big Andy, but he still doesn't get it, and the material I try to use is too easy for little Andy, so he blows through it in mere minutes then is bored and runs around giving big Andy the answers.

Frustration.

On the bright side - I now have a cell phone and bank account, but still haven't gotten paid.

Do you want to die?

Vocabulary/conversation tic-tac-toe.  I decided to use this little knock off as a way to get my students to talk more.  I choose words in the workbooks we use and put them in a 3x3 grid, just like tic-tac-toe.  I then divide the class into 2 groups (only 3 of the classes actually work because the others are only 1-3 people). Then, the teams play rock-paper-scissors to see who goes first.  Once they choose a square, they have 3 minutes to talk with their team/partner to come up with a dialogue that incorporates that word.  Both people in the dialogue have to say that word in the right context to get credit - otherwise they lose their square.  Some of my kids have hilarious personalities - especially Catherine.  The first few classes I thought she was very reserved, but her personality has sure shown through. I love it! During one dialogue about exercise and ended it with "Do you want to die?"

I just started teaching a new class.  They are 7-9 and their English ability is beginner level. So, it's the best time because this is a class where I can incorporate songs, dances, drawings, and anything else my heart desires. I'm excited for them. Plus, they are SO cute. I should start a show - Kids Say the Darndest Things: Korea. :D

On the negative side - I was informed that my director complains daily about things around the school.  Lesson plans, lack of activities/games, money, kids, etc.  But also, I was told that Chong-wha used to do activities, but the director didn't support her, so I'm extremely confused.  Apparently Chong-wha has been talking about quitting. I hope not.

This past weekend, Chong-wha, her niece "Cindy," and I went to a temple quite a bit away. It was a blast.  Her niece is precious and wanted to come home with me. I wish!! She kept saying "Help me!" She thought it meant tickle me, but I corrected her and wouldn't tickle her if she said help - she had to say tickle. Updated pictures on my trip to the temple!


This is Chong-wha and her niece, Cindy. (I don't know her Korean name)

The tallest statue of Buddha in South Korea at Beopju-sa.

Korea's only 5-story wooden hall.

A well to drink water out of. Apparently it's really clean.

Koreans love the peace sign - so I'm spreading the peace :)

Cindy - SO cute.

Chong-wha's sister, brother-in-law, and niece. Her brother-in-law loves to drink soju with me and said I looked like an angel. So nice :)