New Teacher Amanda

I'm not entirely sure why, but I can't seem to understand the money system here. On my way home from work a bit ago, I bought a Coke and some little cookie/cracker things (which are delightfully delicious by the way) and my total was 1300 won. Naturally, I think to myself, "Wow that's a lot for two little things" and go to hand the man two bills with 5 on them and three bills with 1 on them. Which, in my mind adds up to 13. Wrong. Totally wrong. He gives me a polite smile then laughs and says "no no no." Then I realize that the korean bills are 1000, 5000, 10000. Really, my total was semi-equivalent to USD $1.30. Got it. Well, eventually I'll get it.

I do have to say I quite enjoy the man working at the little market on the corner behind my apartment. He asked me what I was looking for in broken English and smiled and laughed when I said I don't know. Then, when I asked if he had soda (Georgia, oh how you've corrupted me) he took me to baking soda. The word "drink" worked much better. He's very nice, and I plan on buying fruit from him tomorrow.

So, I know I haven't posted about my school yet... and there is definitely a lot to say about it. Today, I had my first experience teaching alone, I spent four classes teaching P.E. Yikes. The first class had about 14 students, and I was definitely not prepared. Twister is a lifesaver. Luckily, I made it through the day and will not have to teach P.E. on a regular basis (or ever again depending on who saw my wonderful P.E. abilities today).

So, more about my school. Here's some of the pictures I was sent of the school before arriving:

First Day (10/29): Gerstungkinder.

After being two hours late my first day (bus drivers don't generally speak English.. neither do bus signs), I was nervous and super excited to finally be there. On break, some of the kids ran out to see me and seemed excited to meet their "new teacher Amanda." One student looked at me from around the corner and said, "Ooh she so little," then ran off to bring some more kids to see me. A few days later one of the students asked me how old I was, 12 or 13... haha. I'm not sure they realize I'm actually an adult.

I met Rosalind, the teacher I'll be replacing (and seriously, I can't even begin to tell you how much she's helped me out in the past few days), and sat in on her classes for the day. My homeroom class, Brown (all the classes are named after Ivy League schools), is a class of four 7-year-olds. They are super intelligent and can all speak English very well. The school doesn't allow the students to speak Korean, so it's incredible the level of English some of the students have. My classes range from 5-year-olds to around 12-year-olds, all with varying levels.


I'll be teaching phonics, story, language, reading, and diction and writing classes. Along with some similiar classes for elementary level students. I'm actually really excited to start teaching, I can only imagine the feeling of being with the students when they actually get it, whether it's an idea, concept, or new word.



Since I'm on a list kick, here are some of the things I've learned so far during my time at school... whether about the school, kids, or Korea:


1. Most Korean children have never seen freckles. One of my students asked me what the black things on my face were, and I couldn't help but giggle.

2. Supposedly, smiling for photographs is uncommon. On Halloween, if someone tried to take a picture most of the kids went from smiling and having a good time to a straight face. Image is very important here, and the wrinkles a smile gives around the mouth is "unflattering." Women also tend to cover their mouths when laughing for the same reason.

3. Kids here LOVE stickers. Honestly, if you want a student to be good, bribe them with stickers.

4. My school has cameras in the classrooms so that parents can log onto the internet at home and watch their students anytime they want. When I heard this, I thought it was the strangest thing, but I guess my school is in a wealthy neighborhood, so this is one advantage my school has over others.... supposedly.

5. Swine flu is scaring the crap out of people here. One of the student's mothers has him or her out of school for a month for fear that he/she will get it. Also, face masks are very popular, and I'm not positive, but I'm guessing it's due to swine flu. If wrong, my second guess would be it's because of the crazy pollution in the air here.

I'm sure I'll have plenty more stories to share, especially since today was only my third day at the school. So far, so good. I'm thinking about cool video ideas to try and include in my blog. Maybe a video of my walk to subway and class? We shall see...




"To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted." -Bill Bryson