NEAT-o

Last winter break my coteachers began teaching a test prep class during camp. It's called NEAT (National English Ability Test) and the kids will take it when they're going from high school to university. This semester we're teaching NEAT prep classes to the advanced students, and so once a week I teach speaking or writing. I'll do five weeks with the third grade, five with second, and five with first. It's only 45 minutes a week, and let me tell you, that is not enough. This stuff is incredibly difficult, and there's just too much to do. Honestly, I'm pretty sure this is close to the stuff that I was actually learning in middle school as a native English speaker. In the writing unit we just covered, it was all about recommending and suggesting things. The kids were learning the target phrases, "I'd recommend... I'd recommend you... If I were you, I would... I'd suggest..." They had to unscramble sentences like, "If I were you, I would apologize to my friend right away." "Why don't you drop by the party later?" Because they'll be taking this test as ESL students, they might not know the meaning of all the sentences and words, so I'm trying to teach them test-taking strategies, like identifying parts of speech and putting them in the appropriate order. For example, they had to fill in the blanks of this sentence:

I _______________________. They will help you _______ what you should do with your _______.

There was a picture of a boy reading a book with the caption "self-help books," and the key vocabulary for the unit included "figure out" and "life." The students weren't familiar with the term "self-help" and couldn't fill in the blanks, so I told them to break down the words. They knew "self" meant me, myself and they know the word "help" so I had them put the words together to realize it meant a book to help yourself do something. Then I had them read "They will help you ____" and told them to ask themselves the question, help you do what? Do is a verb, so you're probably looking for a verb. And then "your" what? It has to be a noun of some kind. Figure out is a verb and life is a noun, and if you're trying to help yourself with these books, you're probably trying to do something with your life. I certainly hope those are correct assumptions, and that I didn't steer them wrong. The kids are really well-behaved and pay attention and take lots of notes, but I'm always worried that I'm making sense to myself but not to them. Naturally, whenever I ask if they understand, they say yes, but I remember being a student... you almost never admit when you don't understand. After class got out I specifically asked some of my girls (whom I know pretty well due to camp) if they could really understand me. They said they understand me, but the subject material is difficult. Then I asked, Do the other students really understand? Yes, Teacher, we all understand. People in this class are very smart! Well, I wasn't doubting you, kids, I was doubting myself, haha.

Dongjun gave me a piece of chocolate before NEAT class started. It looked homemade so I asked if he made it and he said no, his friend did, but he wanted to give one to me. How adorable.

The Korean teacher who sits across from me is very kind and always wants to talk to me, but it's definitely a) all in Korean b) very fast and c) too polite for me to understand. I learned how to say the phrase, "Could you say that one more time, slowly please?" and it definitely worked, but no matter how slowly she said it, I just don't know enough words.

Last night I went out for dinner with two of my foreign friends and one of their coteachers. Her parents are from the area, but she's just moved back here and started teaching at a new school, so she doesn't know a lot of people. She wants us to hang out, which is fine by me. She's 29, single, and apparently the only teacher at the whole school that's unmarried, and now that my friend is leaving (in 10 days), he'll be replaced by a married foreigner, so she will literally be the only unmarried person in the school. That might not be a huge deal in America, but to be a 29 year old unmarried female is a big deal here and I feel especially sympathetic towards her because she's the only one in her school. I was thinking, and I might be out of line here, BUT there is a 30 (or 31 year old? I don't remember exactly) year old informatics teacher at my school whom I'm almost certain is single. He's super nice as well and speaks a little bit of English, which is how I know he's a very nice man. He's recently been put in charge of scheduling, and he knows I can't read the Korean messages he sends, so if it's something important, he'll usually try and send me a little English message to let me know. It's very cute, like "Hello! Today we have a special movie for the students. There is no class in the 5th and 6th periods. Sorry my English is bad. Have a nice day!~~ J.K. Kwak"

I give him coffee (the universal teacher gift) to say thank you sometimes. Regardless, awhile back he told me we should get some kimbap together sometime (my favorite food), but nothing's ever come of it. Now that I have this new Korean friend, I'm considering seeing if the informatics teacher would be interested in getting some dinner or drinks and casually invite her along. Matchmaker? Possibly. To be fair I barely know either of them.

I've recently realized that my school is about 70%-30% boys to girls. It never really occurred to me, but as I was making seating charts, I realized that in six groups of 6-7 students, two were girls and 4-5 were boys. I even have some classes with two groups of 6 boys each. I bring this up because I've tallied the third grade questionnaires, and the results are like this.

1. Movies
I think they think I'll show them movies if they choose this. Wrong.

2. Food
Again, sorry kids. We're not going to just eat food in class.

3. Pop songs
Are you sensing a theme here? Though to be fair it's nothing less than I expected when I gave them these three as options.

4. Sports
Ah, sports. Something I know very little about and care even less about. But in my effort to teach them things they're interested in, I stayed at school on Friday for an extra hour and a half learning about football, cricket, rugby, and baseball. We're going to do a sports unit whether I like it or not. I'm trying to make it cool though. It'll be in several parts.

Part 1: Sports from Around the World
Learn about the previous four sports I listed above, watch some .gifs, get some knowledge.

Part 2: Language and Culture
Learn about how baseball words get worked in American conversations at an alarming rate, i.e. step up to the plate, take a swing at it, out of your league, hit it out of the park, etc.

Part 3: Vocabulary
Learn basic sports vocab; team, league, series, event, professional, etc


Play Jeopardy using parts 1 and 2


Part 4: Reading
Read about the history of baseball, reading comprehension questions, true or false, and writing

Part 5: Movie and Song
Watch High School Musical 2 "I Don't Dance" and fill in the blanks in the lyrics (hint: it's on a baseball field)

I've really only ironed out Parts 1-3 and Jeopardy since I can't fit it all into one class. I'm trying to make it fun and educational, which is why I've stuck in Jeopardy. As for HSM, hopefully that will satisfy them with their desire for movies and pop songs, though to be fair it's not what they're hoping for I'm sure. Anyway, I've certainly learned a lot about cricket! It's actually interesting as well. Don't worry though, I'm not going to start watching it.Also, I can't take most of the credit for the sports lesson... I got a bunch of the info and prep work from foreign teaching websites. Must give credit where credit is due.

Maybe you know me?

First of all, I can't update my #winningmoments entry. Well, I can update it, but it won't move to the top. If you want to read the updates, you'll have to go to the sidebar and find it. Sorry!

Anyway, not much to report. I had my second first day of Korean class on Monday, and it was pretty uneventful. I thought you could show up and buy the book because that's what we had done in my previous classes, but they had run out of books so I had to get one on my own, which of course meant I didn't have it during class. The woman next to me let me read off of hers. I feel a bit ridiculous in this class because some of it is so basic (the different way to say goodbye, excuse me, sorry, etc), but on the other hand, because I had to skip it the first time due to schedule conflicts, I never actually learned the present tense formally. This is good because now I know exactly why certain things happen, but I don't really feel like I'm advancing in Korean, just going over the same steps. It's good because reviewing is good, but I'm beginning to despair ever leaving beginner Korean. Because I've been taking classes longer than most of these people, it doesn't take me long to read or do the assignments during class, and I find myself wishing we could just move on. I'm sympathizing with my own students a lot now.

Speaking of my own students, today two of my third grade boys came into the teachers lounge. One said hi, so I said hi back. Then the other one spoke up:
Student: I'm Dongjun. Maybe you know me?
Me: Yes. I know you. You are Lee Dongjun. You're in the third grade. Last year you were in my gifted and talented class as well as my A level second grade class, and this year you are in my A level third grade class as well as my test prep class. We have had many classes together. (Thinks to self: how could I NOT know you?)
Him: Ah, okay okay!

I couldn't believe he really thought that I might not know him. I was considering that maybe he was making a joke, but I don't think so.

Additionally, his favorite band (as per the questionnaire I handed out) is Radiohead. How nuts is that? 16 year old Korean boy loves Radiohead. Another one of my G&T boys wrote "Big Bang (especially TOP)" for his favorite band. As though I needed another reason to love you, Hyeongjun.

In the free writing section, one of my girls wrote, "Be my baby!" Don't know what that means. A boy wrote, "Hard working teacher." I don't know if this means I am a hardworking teacher or if he means he wants to work hard in class or what. I'm going to choose to believe the former and thus be flattered.

Big Bang, big news

As you probably know, my favorite male Kpop group is called Big Bang. They've recently released their comeback album, Alive, and as of March 6th their music video for their song "Fantastic Baby" came out on YouTube. Pretty much, I think Lady Gaga should watch this video for tips because it's pretty far out there. The one with blue hair is Top, my future Korean husband. Oh, on another note - I'm going to see Lady Gaga in Seoul in April!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAbokV76tkU

Strange happenings

The hanja teacher is continuing to make a case in favor of him being a bit on the odd side. He came over to my desk the other day. Here is a rough equivalent of our conversation.

Him: Do you like reading books?
Me: Uh, sure. I read a lot.

Him: Do you have a religion?
Me: Uh, yeah. I'm Catholic.

Him: Ohh, Catholic. Do you know Anthony de Mello?
Me: Uh, no, sorry.

Him: Hmm, okay.

Me: So, are you Catholic?

Him: No. (Presses hands together, bows) I'm Buddhist. I have a book for you.

Me: An English book?

Him: Yes. I bought it at an English bookstore. It was very expensive.

Me: ......

Him: This is for you (proffers book).

Me: Um, okay. Thanks! Do you want me to read it?

Him: Yes. Read it and tell me how it makes you feel.

Me: Sure...

Basically, this book is called "The Way to Love" by a Jesuit priest called Anthony de Mello. Apparently I have to read it. I told my friend Kevin about the hanja teacher, and Kevin said the hanja teacher at his old school was "completely mental" to the point where he renamed Kevin "Yeongmin" and only referred to him as Yeongmin. Weird, right?

On Friday the hanja teacher messaged the whole school in Korean and English this:

Good morning, Taepyeong family! Just call me the Taepyeong DJ! Today's selection is (I can't remember what it said). Then he attached a song. Friendly, I guess, but just kind of strange.

We had a teachers' dinner on Thursday to welcome all the new people. We went to a duck restaurant, which was nice. The teachers are all very friendly. After we ate people were changing tables to talk to other people, and one of the printer guys came over to sit by me. He told my coteacher I looked lonely because I had no one to drink with, so he would be my "sul chingu," my "alcohol friend." This was agreeable to me because I had nothing else to do, plus it was nice because even though he didn't speak any English, he was still trying to be friendly. I can only hope maybe my papers will get printed faster as well.

I've tallied more third grade questionnaires. One class has shown tremendous excitement over the pizza party, and in the free writing section of the questionnaire several wrote, "I like pizza! Give us many points, Teacher! We want to eat pizza!" Also, several of my students have written in, "I love you!" which I always enjoy seeing, especially when it comes from my more apathetic third grade boys.

On Friday I went back to Buyeo for a going-away party. I haven't been to Buyeo in a long time, but naturally, it's still very much the same. Nothing very exciting happened. Went back to Bubble Castle. Actually, while we were there, we saw this Korean couple on what appeared to be a date, so my friend took an instant Polaroid of them, then we wrote "love" in Korean and decorated it with hearts and Korean smiley faces and wrote "cute love" in English, then we gave it to them with a bottle of soju. They found it hysterical, then they gave us the rest of their dried squid and peanuts in return. Making friends and taking names... that's how I live my life.

#winningmoments

So I have many random amusing moments, so let's see if blogspot will let me keep updating this and then have it pop up as new. Starting... now!

#winningmoment1

While playing Family Feud with the first grade. Question: Who do you least want to argue with?

5 teams: Parents!

Sixth team: Drunken!

#winningmoment2

During winter camp, I had a perpetually late student, a good boy named Gwangseok. After three days, I finally asked him what was wrong.

Me: Gwangseok, why are you late all the time?

Him: Ummm.... traditional... Korean man... (consults with other student) surgery? *points to groin*

Me: What?!

Him (more confidently): Yes! Traditional Korean man surgery!

Me: Just... stop explaining.

#winningmoment3

During camp, we had paper cups for the end of the week pizza party. The kids kept wanting them for water, so I stopped giving them out.

Gwangseok: Teacher, paper cup please?
Me (suspiciously): Why?

Gwangseok (waves at groin): Uh, man surgery?

Me (resigned): Just... take it. I don't even want to know.

#winningmoment4

Google Image'd "cross your fingers" to demonstrate. Got topless model photos. I was in the teachers office surrounded by people. Nice.

#winningmoment5
The students have to clean the school, so we have a group assigned to the English room. While supervising yesterday, one of my boys said, "Clean fast today!" and then mumbled to the other students in Korean about how his stomach hurt. A smart alec type went up to me and said, "Teacher! After clean, he go to the home and poo-poo!" then laughed hysterically.

#winningmoment6
Minhaeng: Hi, Teacher!
Me: Hi, Minhaeng. How are you?
Minhaeng: I can't complain!

YG Family concert

I literally can't even remember if I've already blogged about it, but I went to the YG Family concert (a big Kpop concert featuring several groups). Here are some pictures.

Should you choose to blow up this picture, here's a breakdown of the important people:

2ne1: Minzy and Park Bom (far left), CL and Dara (far right)

Big Bang: G-Dragon is the goon in the hat, and my future husband Top has the glasses. Taeyang is the far right with the mohawk.

TOP! I love him too much. In my self-introduction for the new first graders, I photoshopped a picture of us together and told them he was my boyfriend. Zing!

2ne1!!!
My friend Hannah and I. 2ne1 representing!

School year 2012

After my visit home, I've been informed I'm doing a terrible job of updating my blog, so I'll try and do better. Apparently I haven't updated it since December 4th, which yes, is a very long time. However, I couldn't possibly try and update everything that's happened since then (mostly because there's not that much), so I will just start from now, the beginning of the new school year.

Last Friday was the first day of the 2012 school year, so I have a whole new group of first graders (14 year olds) and let me tell you, they are SO CUTE. Some of them are extremely tiny, and there is nothing cuter than a tiny Korean boy in glasses, a tweed suit, and tie. They are bug-eyed and fearful of middle school, which makes them even more lovable because they are too scared to cause trouble (yet). They're tremendously excited over the lunchtime movies thing, and I've had a huge crowd the past few days. One of the littlest, cutest ones who screws up his courage to say hi to me in the hallways gave me a thumbs up and "Yeonghwa good!" (yeonghwa = movie) Sadly, my new co-teacher is a first grade homeroom teacher, and she said one of her boys was so scared he didn't go to the bathroom and ended up peeing himself in class. Poor kid!

I've given my first day of school speech about fifteen times by this point, and it's getting old. I'm going to crack down on tardies and swearing this semester because I have absolutely had it with their perpetual lateness. The school has bells, but it's like no one goes to class until after they hear the bell, including the teachers. I'm pretty sure I am the only teacher in the school who is actually in the classroom waiting for the kids to show up, though to be fair I stay in my room and everyone else travels to the kids. Anyway, because the teachers are always late, I feel like the kids don't care about being on time. Well, I do. Even my co-teachers stroll up several minutes late. I don't really care because I will just start class, and I hope they don't feel uncomfortable that I'm starting without them, but I don't want to just stare at 30some kids waiting.

I've also had it up to hear with hearing, "Puck-uh you!!" "Teacher, he say puck-uh!!" (There's no "f" in Korean, so f=p.) Other words I've banned from the classroom:

stupid

pig

loser

I've been using students to demonstrate being in your seat when the bell rings, so I ask the kids, "What's this?" "Chair!" Then I point to the student and say, "Who's this?" and today's third grader was a chubby boy, and some unkind student decided to say, "Pig!" Now, to be fair, I've been told by a Korean teacher before that the word pig isn't as offensive as it is in English... it can mean chubby and cute, but I don't think this boy meant it like that. Then all the students laughed. I didn't want to freak out on him, but I did give him a glare and made sure to tell the students "pig" was on the list of bad words they were not supposed to say.

I've distributed questionnaires to the new third graders. I don't really follow the textbook for the third grade, so we kind of do whatever topics I feel like, so I decided to have the kids fill out a survey to find out what kind of stuff they'd like to do. It was pretty extensive and was in both Korean and English. There was a topics section (what would you like to learn about... slang? History? Korea? America? Movies? etc), a learning section (I like to learn by a) speaking b) reading c) writing d) listening.... I learn best by a/b/c/d.... I learn best working a) by myself b) with a partner c) in a group), a circling section (I like/don't like English) and a free writing section (anything you'd like to tell me?)

After tallying two classes, I've found that about 16 students like English, 52 don't, and six don't know how to circle an answer. Movies and food are overwhelmingly popular subjects (the kids probably think we will eat food and watch movies, haha). Sports is less popular than you'd think, though it's up there. This semester we're also having a competition for each grade to win a pizza party. Korean kids have pretty good stone faces, so I can't tell if they're excited or not. My best feedback was one third grade boy who used his free writing section to write, "I want pizza!"

I have several new students, and one of my new third grade boys used the free writing opportunity to tell me this:

1. How do you do, my teacher?

2. Nice to meet you.

P.S. I love you, lol.

I'm not sure about the "lol" bit, but the manners in numbers one and two are encouraging.

On another note, my principal used to be an English teacher, so once a week I go to her office and we chat for about 45 minutes. Today I went in and I was telling her about my trip home, and I mentioned how my mom made salmon for me because I really like salmon. She got excited and went to her mini-fridge because apparently she has a friend in Alaska who (somehow) sent her home-cured salmon. It was basically fish pieces in a plastic bag, aka the exact opposite of everything lovely about American-prepared salmon. I politely declined, claiming I wasn't hungry because I'd just eaten lunch, but she insisted I take some. Yet another instance in the eat-food-I-really-would-prefer-not-to-but-will-do-so-in-the-name-of-politeness-and-cultural-sensitivity saga that is my life in Korea.

We had about 50% of the teaching staff change for the new year, so there are lots of new faces. I have three new co-teachers who all seem like nice ladies. Nothing too much to report there. The strangest thing is a lot of the new teachers appear to not only speak pretty good English, but I've actually had three of them seek me out to speak to me, which is completely un-Korean of them. Usually I find out after about three months that people speak English. They're just really shy. Anyway, I'm reserving judgement on one of them. He's the hanja teacher, so I will refer to him as the hanja teacher. Basically, back in the day Korean used to be written with Chinese characters and it wasn't until King Sejong (don't remember what year) dispensed with that system and made up a new Korean alphabet, which is what they use to this day. It was kind of like when they changed from writing stuff in Latin to writing it in the common man's language in Europe (or at least, that's how I look at it). Until King Sejong (who is a big deal here in Korea), most Koreans were illiterate because learning those Chinese characters was for the upper class.

Regardless, the kids still learn hanja. I don't really know why, other than it's cultural? So, the hanja teacher. He wanted to talk to me, which was fine, but basically I am unsure as to if he is possibly a madman. He seems like a perfectly nice person, but just a bit... off. We have a school-wide IM system, and yesterday he sent out some message that I popped into Google Translate and it came up as something weird, like he was talking about a rumor spread around the school and something about him being married or getting married? Google Translate is really spotty though. But then today he sent out another message that said basically that yesterday he had a really hard day, but got through it with the love of the other teachers and he was especially grateful to the principal and vice-principal for their support, and with that in mind he had attached some special music for everyone. He'd attached like 30 songs ranging from Korean to English to French to instrumental... Yeah, it was a little bizarre. I think it's a joke, but I'm lost in literal and cultural translation here. Or maybe he really is just kind of a strange guy. We've got a teachers' dinner tomorrow, so I'm going to try and avoid being seated by him just in case. Keep you posted.

A new teacher sits across from me, and she doesn't speak any English, which doesn't stop her from trying to talk to me anyway. The problem is she's using way too many words I don't know and is speaking really fast, so I just nod and say "Yes" a lot. Works like a charm.