J-O-B

Hello. How are you?
I'm fine, thank you.. And you? ha-ha

... Definitely a common greeting everyday in an EFL classroom until the students learn it well enough to move on to a less formal greeting. It sounds so robotic. However, usually when they say it like that now, they are just joking around because they know it so well.

You may be wondering what my job is like. Well, here it goes.

Classes: 

I must say my job is unique.  I teach for a education University. However, we serve elementary schools in the countryside. I work at 4 different elementary schools. I also teach adult classes inside the University.  My first year in Korea, I taught at the university (3 adult classes), 3 elementary schools, and a hospital (medical English). I had about 12 different classes in all. Sounds crazy. Right?" It's actually not so bad. I have a Korean co-teacher who drives me to the elementary schools. Our commute is about an hour round trip everyday.  The drive is amazing as Korea has so many beautiful mountains and scenery. Not exciting for my co-teacher though since she has to drive. :/  Nothing has changed (I stay being chauffeured) :/ :-) lol Fortunately, we only go to one school a day. 

March 2012-February 2012 (School-year)

My first year, I taught 1-6th grade. This year, I teach 3-6th grade. My co-teacher and I teach the same classes but at different times. Can you imagine? I walk into a 5-6th grade class my first day excited as can be attempting to make my speech as plain as possible for my students to understand. It hit me the first day that my students English ability was very low! I work in the countryside and the student's English ability is lower than students in the city. I had my work cut out. I had an extremely tough first day (language barrier, lack of teaching materials, no guidance for the most part). I just received my class schedule, coffee and an example lesson plan /teachers report from my co-teacher. I'm just glad, I had teaching experience so I wasn't completely lost. However, I would've liked a tad bit more instruction. Something! Lol. Not at all.  

Kidos/teaching:

 It was so funny, the first week I walk into a third grade class a student says, "Afreeca!" I just giggled.. They just need to be educated that's all. :) Not all black people were born and raised in Africa! A good lesson for the babies. :)  I guess they were surprised when I told them, I was from "Me-gook" (America). They were so cute. After time went by, my students got accustomed to me and we were able to communicate. We've often been frustrated with each other but it comes with the territory. I've learned to make it plain, plain as an EFL teacher!!! My teaching ability has been stretched to degrees I didn't think we're possible!!! Did you hear me? lol STRETCHED!! I love what I do. Communication is so important in life just in general, so I'm a better communicator as a result of my experience here. Oh yeah, my adult classes are bundles of fun. It's pretty laid- back (conversational English). Some of them have even become pretty good friends. :)

Co-teaching:

As I said, my co-teacher and I  teach the same students but not together (maybe it shouldn't be called co-teaching)? She mainly uses the textbook to teach and I use the book as well but mostly do activities/games with them. It's perfect because "learning center activities" was almost all I did in college. Learning by doing....esp good for an EFL classroom.

English camp/vacation:

 During summer and winter "vacation" my school (Uni) as many others hold English camps. The first summer, I had the opportunity to help plan the camp which was stressful but again a great learning experience! I feel so equipped now. We have a day camp and dorm camp.  I had the opportunity to teach math, science and they had a play performance. With the camps during winter and summer break, I have 2 weeks off for a vacation in all. I know. Not you're average teaching position. As you know, in the states, teachers have an extensive break during Summer and Winter. But it's all good because the camps are enjoyable. I spend less money too! :D

I always worried that I wouldn't be able to develop a close relationship with my students due to language barriers but as time went on, I realized that it is possible. If a lesson fails miserably, I totally have our relationship to fall back on! :-))) Sheesh thinking about it is making me sad. I'm going to truly miss them when it's over. I hope this gave you a good picture into my work life.