South Korea – Page 3 – Places And Spaces To Be In

A Daytrip Away

Took a break from the busy city to immerse myself amongst the bamboos. It’s my second time visiting Damyang and it’s still as refreshing as the first time I visited.

This time around I took my new friend and co-worker, Roxana. Fresh from California, she is teaching our institute for only two months before she has to return for school. With the short time she has here in Korea, I wanted to introduce her to as much as Korea has to offer.

Nonetheless, the day trip was amazing as we walked under the bamboo forest, had some tea, ate some bamboo ice cream, and cycled next the riverwalk.

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.

Places and Spaces to Be In: Boseong

Who doesn’t like adventure on a gorgeous and sunny day? On top of that, be surrounded by green tea! When Bruce, a friend who happens to also be my student, invited us for a trip out with his girlfriend – Chad, Maddy, and I definitely had to say “Yes!”

Aside from Nami Island, Boseong County is a definite go-to spot if you ever visit South Korea. It not only gives you great views and fresh air, but also is an amazing break from the busy city life. The only downsides to visiting this place are that it has made me miss NorCal – especially the Napa Valley – and that it isn’t a walking distance from my apartment. A girl can only wish.

Before heading to this lovely place, I took some time to sit down and learn a bit of history about the place and how tea made it’s way over to this side of the earth from China. Most of the information was from Wikipedia (don’t judge), Boseong County’s main website, and from this blog. Learning the historical aspects of a location before and during the trip allows me to enjoy and appreciate the visit to the plantation. Sadly, our trip was too early for us to participate in tea picking as the event usually falls on April. But at least it gives me something to look forward to in the future, eh?

Directions to Boseong: here.

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.

A novice English teacher’s frustration…

Midway through the week, I laid on my bed in complete frustration. The day has ended on a sour note with the junior classes I am teaching. I have so much to learn from the classes that I have most difficult with.

It is confirmed: I love control. But these two classes (Sponge 3 and Trampoline 3B) are quite the challenge. Especially the boys. I want productivity and participation; they want free time and, pretty much, not to be in class. But, by divine choice, we all are placed in the same classroom. Not appreciating much of each other at that current moment. To them, I’m just 50 minutes more ’til freedom.

The thing is, I don’t mind them at all. They, without a doubt, are very silly and energetic – and I can’t help but shake my head and laugh (internally, mostly) at the silly antics they make during class. But I need to get on with the day’s lesson.

So, there I lay thinking, “If I am able to communicate ‘FOCUS + WORK WELL + PARTICIPATE = leave early’, will they work better?” Will this be the solution to the issue on hand? I’m unsure. I often catch myself counting down the minutes of when the class finishes.

The day’s frustration (especially with T3B) was pointless and self-imposed. Why bother teaching a class that doesn’t want to learn? Why raise my voice to try to get their attention when it only lasts for a couple of seconds, and they don’t even bother to follow the instructions I relay to them? Also, to my realization, me keeping them in until the end of class as a form of “punishment” for not working as they are supposed to, isn’t much of a punishment to them, but rather – to myself.

The next day, I wrote on the board the following:

Follow the rules + Focus + Particulate = Leave early.

This got them to do better than the day before. However, I’m suspecting that their productivity is only possible because they were doing a writing activity. I wonder how it will be like for the other activities?

Also, me writing the message on the board has gotten me to realize: they have good reading skills yet really weak listening and speaking skills. And I have weak classroom management skills.

Bottom line: I HAVE SO MUCH TO LEARN.

Of Changes and Adventures…

The plan was: graduate, get a job, and live in NorCal. And then life happened.

I’m being cliche here – but I know we all could agree that in life, change happens a lot. Two things I’ve learned about change is that it is ugly and beautiful. It is ugly as it stops the routine of what you’re comfortable and used to. And, sadly, could lead to broken hearts. However, it is also beautiful as it enables you to make new discoveries about yourself – about your own strengths, talents, and personal beauty.

It’s imperative to have a plan. As the saying goes, “One who fails to plan plans to fail.” With that in mind, always be ready for change to happen every now and then. Yeah, maybe cry and gripe a little, but prod on and accept the new adventure in front of you.

Speaking of change (as my original plan is having a huge detour) I’m currently preparing myself to leave for South Korea to teach English in one of the institutes. This, to me, is an adventure that would only come once my way, so I’m taking advantage of it AND looking forward to the adventure of it.

With that, documenting my new adventure begins now.