Day Two of teaching Memory English with Elementary and Middle school is over!!! Both yesterday and today I taught Memory English, which focused on Word Maps, Words in Context, Paraphrasing, Note-Taking, and the big finale of each class: the Critical Thinking Project. We have a lot to cover in 3 hours, and perhaps surprisingly it definitely takes all 3 hours to get anywhere.
After training, I expected students to be more advanced than what I have seen the past 2 days. So, it was kind of disappointing training left many of us with that impression. Maybe because it was the first 2 days with different kids each period I didn't get the responses I hope to get later in the term. Most of class is centered around discussion and reasoning, yet it is hard to do so with students don't want to talk! I do understand why they feel this way since they have already been in school for at least six hours, so another three or six is extremely exhausting. As I become better adjusted to these teaching methods and better understand these students, I hope to draw out more energy and excitement for them. It is difficult work for students, especially if their vocabulary is limited. One of my objectives for the coming weeks, other than encouraging more energy and participation, is louder volume. Some students mumble and I can hardly hear them. I feel like an old woman having to ask them to repeat themselves. haha I think this behavior also has to do with the regular school environment. I have not formed the impression that student opinion and voice is a big part of school hours. School is very rigorous. There is a CRCT-like test called the iBT students take that not only determines which middle schools, high schools, and colleges they will attend, but also their careers. One test, which can be 9 hours long, determines basically the next 30 years of their life. Talk about pressure!!! As a result, suicide is prevalent in South Korea. Japan and Korea have one of the higher numbers of suicide. Actually, yesterday the subway was shut down because of a jumper. The sub lines have glass sliding doors set up, which upon first glance appear to be for your safety, which they are, but more so to prevent jumpers.
Through the Critical Thinking Project student voice is more widely encouraged. The past two days students have created book covers about witches. My last class today was able to work on this project for a longer period of time than the other classes, mostly because at my error. I did not anticipate the lack of response or length to cover sections of our lesson. Again, time management will definitely need to improve as I become more accustomed to these students and teaching methods.
Some positives: LOVE my coworkers. I am actually very fortunate to be at this branch. 1) We all get along. The past 2 nights we've been out to dinner. They've also been very helpful to us newbies as we figure things out. Showing us a zillion shortcuts to our apartments, good things to eat, where to shop, ideas for teaching, etc. 2) They give dinner to us between the 2 classes. My branch is the only one that does this. It is privately owned so we're given more privileges. 3) Found out I'll have 6 days OFF around the middle of September due to the equivalent of Thanksgiving. Apparently the whole city shuts down sooo the 3 other trainees that I came with and I are trying to decide something fun and cheap we can do. 4) I live like 5 minutes from work, so no commuting!! That will definitely help save money.
Kids' personalities are also beginning to show through a bit. One girl always smiles at me, which of course makes me want to smile back. Another boy shared all about his travels through Europe, of course making me jealous. Oh, and during 2 truths and a lie I found out the boys apparently think girls cannot be drummers (my lie... but ohhh, such a dream) or soccer players (a truth). Well, come next class I'll just have to prove them wrong!!!
Simple but perfection.
We're Going to be Friends by The White Stripes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZGHTkmhxgQ
I'm sure I'm forgetting things I want to share, so if you have any questions about experiences, please ask!!!
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