experience – Page 2 – Places And Spaces To Be In

Taking A Break From The City

A couple weeks ago, a group of us foreign teachers got together to have lunch. We all work for the same institute, but in different branches. Whilst walking towards the restaurant, my team and I were showing our area to the other team. One of the other members mentioned that my team and I are fortunate in to be placed where we are.

I would have to agree with him.

The institute I work for is right in front of a big park that also happens to have a beautiful temple and library in it. It is perfect for walks and soaking up some sun while reading a good book.

Although this video doesn’t show how the park in front of my institute looks like, I wanted to emphasize the importance of stepping out of the city and enjoying nature. There is always a sense of calmness and rejuvenation whenever I’m out of the city.

– A

A Novice English Teacher’s Frustration About…

“Shocked” is the perfect word to describe what I am feeling right now. Let me explain…

For some reason, in one of my Junior classes, we are ahead of schedule with our class material. Because of that, I opted for a fun and competitive activity with this small class today. The activity: whoever writes a sentence with proper grammar, proper use of the word(s) given, and correct spelling, shall earn points. Ten points respectively for each action done correctly. The prize – a 2016 planner. Otherwise, everyone shall receive a choco-pie (really delicious stuff, I tell you).

Also, because I am an English teacher and I’m trying to encourage these kids to stop speaking Korean in class, I deduct 50 points for each time a student decides to speak in Korean. I know, it’s drastic – but with these kids, it’s necessary.

So the game began. Many were tied, and yet are sweetly improving their creative writing. Time came up for the the class to end and suddenly, the only boy in the class spoke in Korean. Minus 50 points.

Before I continue, let me give you a little bit of background about my relationship with these kids: we are chill. I joke around. They joke around. We get the work done. It’s a good day. All in all, I trust them until they give me a reason not to (like the other day, I allowed them to watch a video on the premise that it was related to the material and that it was going to be in English. It was related to the material – air pollution – however, it was a short animation in Korean. Figures). Bottom line: we chill.

However, I’m currently unsure about whether or not I should trust these kids anymore. This recent action has led me to believe that they think I find everything to be funny and I cannot be taken seriously. Well, you see, the student whom I just deducted 50 points from for speaking Korean, decided that it was funny to steal the prize and run out the door. The whole class thought it was funny and laughed right out the door. I was hoping that the thief would run back and return the item within a matter of minutes. But he didn’t.

Shocked. Disappointed. FRUSTRATED.

Which then leads me to ask this question:

Should teachers also be responsible in teaching children morality in the classroom or should we just leave that responsibility to their parents or guardians?

As a foreign teacher, it is advised that when it comes to situations such as disciplining, I should just leave it to my Korean co-teacher because of the cultural and language barrier. Easy. But now it leaves me with another situation – RESPECT. If I leave it to my co-teacher to solve the issue, how am I to create an environment of respect – not only for myself, but also to each other?

As for now, I don’t know. It’s a matter of continuous prayers and of me and my co-teachers to collaborate what the next best step should be.

They say that this younger generation doesn’t understand and practice respect as much as the older generation. I hope that immorality isn’t added into that list.

Teaching Style

Screen Shot 2016-02-08 at 9.59.36 PM I never saw of myself as an educator. I never imagined finding myself teaching English, especially in another country. Luckily, by divine providence and by fate, I’m surrounded by some amazing people whom I am able to learn from. These past two terms (four months) are memorable.

In the institute that I’m currently teaching at, there are four foreign teachers teaching the adult English classes: Chad, Maddy, Patricia, and I. We assist three Korean teachers (Henry, Jessica, and Nina) when it comes to teaching the Juniors (ages 8-14) in the afternoon.

Although I have definitely learned something through my Korean co-teachers, most of the lessons I’ve learned are from my foreign co-teachers:

From left to right: Maddy, Chad, and Bruce – a student and friend

Chad: his teaching style is to be aware of the student’s strengths and weaknesses. His “be a friend” approach is very admirable as it is very intimidating for me. Since many of my students are way older than me (think mom, dad, grandparent status…), I tend to hide behind the Korean respect hierarchy. His approach, from what I’ve noticed, has allowed his students to be comfortable and open around him. I often envy the laughter that comes out of his class.
Patricia: love this lady and her “take it easy” approach. Her constant reminders to relax and not overthink things reminds me that “Hey, I already have the materials to teach, in my hands.” Also, her presence and beginning the day with a word of prayer has helped further established God’s presence in my life and in the workplace. Lastly, her hugs are amazing – especially in this country where hugs are seen as kind of… awkward…
Maddy, probably asking “why”.
Maddy: this girl puts me to shame. She is an educator who doesn’t want to settle. Her favorite question is “Why?”. I’ve adopted that three letter word into my vocabulary – much to the disappointment of many of my students. My students think they’re off the hook after answering my question in a sentence or two? Not so quick… Aside from that, her constant desire to learn and prep-work (which Patricia often teases her for giving herself more work than necessary), encourages me to do the same. With her example, I’m able to find ways to make the learning environment for my students more enjoyable.

I’m truly grateful to have these three people around. Sadly, this is Chad and Patricia’s last term in Sangmu Gwangju branch. I’ve gotten quite fond of them and wish they’d stay longer, but they have their own things to do and places to explore. With them leaving, I’m even more grateful that Maddy and I are placed in the same institute. At least there is one constant person, ya know?

But with new faces about to come to the Institute, at least it will encourage me to learn some more and not settle.

Of Challenges

Days ’til graduation: 34.

A couple weeks ago, I learned of a job opportunity that I found interesting. The position is a guest service and coordinator for a local business. Although school is nearly ending, I felt that I was pretty stagnant and wanted to learn something new. So, I called that local business and went in for an interview. Towards the end of my interview, my interviewer gave me a challenge: draft a one year marketing plan.

Marketing is not my emphasis. And although all my classes do touch base on some level of marketing (like class presentations), I have not been formally trained in it in any my business classes. The closest thing I could possibly think of to a marketing plan were business plans and social media plans (from one of the Communication classes I took). So although I was at a disadvantage when my interviewer asked me to write a marketing plan, I took up the challenge nonetheless.

Writing it up took me a couple of days. I was lucky that my mentor is the VP of PR and Marketing here at school, so she gave me some great pointers. After putting it all together, I finally sent it in.

Although my mentor said that the plan looked good, I don’t think I’ll be getting the job at all. However, it still was a great learning experience.

Of Having a Female Mentor

At the end of last quarter, I signed myself up to join a mentoring program that my friend, Maddy, set up. I was paired up with the VP of Enrollment and Marketing here at school. Before our first meet up, I was honestly intimidated. I mean, I’m about to meet one of the VP’s of my school!

Now, I need to share with you that I do have mentors. Two are in my department and one who travels around wherever the music goes. And they are all men. When I met my appointed mentor, one of the first things I shared with her about what I wanted out of this relationship, was that I needed that female perspective that my male mentors lack. So our conversations can range from anything to everything.

Meeting her for the first time was intimidating, but as we continued to talk, she’s a very energetic lady, who wants to have as much impact on the student’s life here on campus as much as our professors. The only thing that has kept her from truly doing that was that she rarely has that interaction that professors have. So when Maddy introduced this mentorship program, she was more than ready to grab onto this opportunity. On top of that, she loves Filipino food and culture. One of the few Caucasian individuals I know who appreciate Filipino food…

But back to our first meeting; we were talked about her career and how certain moments have lead her to our school. I’ve shared with her my worry of finishing school and life after college. Before we ended our meeting, she left me with the following insights:

What new skill do you want to learn? How can you use it to support yourself?
When you’re in a new environment (like a job), give yourself three years. It is allow you to understand the environment, culture, and the job, so when it comes to the third year, you are set!
When you’re speaking with your friends, don’t be afraid to share that you’re looking for a job – and tell them exactly what you’re looking for.

After speaking with her, I’ve taken up sewing (also because I’m a fashion designer for a charity event here at school – but story time at a another time…) and I’ve refreshed my Instagram to give it a new purpose. Those were the two things that have inspired me to do something new and different. Otherwise, I’m still working on the rest of her insights.

But keep posted! I’ll be sharing more of what she and I will talk about in all our hangouts. Hopefully you’ll learn something along with me – as I dig through her wisdom.