Korean Job Discussion Forums

[laogaiguk]

I just had a discussion with one of my grade 6s (I have no class on Friday afternoons and she was bored). She was telling me about soldiers and wars in Korea (as there are a bunch of armed soldiers patrolling around my elementary school, which is a good topic for another thread). He English was usually broken and she reverted to Korean for certain words (like soldier), but she was using correct pronouns, full sentences sometimes, and even articles (correctly too). 6 months ago when I came here, she could barely say, "How are you? I'm fine. How about you?" I am in the country and none of my kids go to any hagwon (too expensive) except for a few to a Taekwondo one. I am the only English teacher, and while she was telling me her mother is strict and makes her study at home as much as others do in hagwons, I for the first time realized that maybe things are working (and I am not just a dancing monkey). Just thought I would share. I am in a good mood now.

Also, she was telling me about American soldiers. She was saying she would like to see them go and Korea be stronger (from inside without foreign aid, as any country would) and that American soldiers use to be really nice as they would go around during the war and they gave chocolate to her grandfather. She said now they look less friendly though, not that she hates them, they just always look unfriendly now. (Obviously, I edited her version to tell you guys).

[Ya-ta Boy]

[kathycanuck]

I know the feeling. I taught a senior high school class last year, and when we began their writing skills were minimal, to say the least. Their last assignment was on "Romeo and Juliet"; I had them write a letter to a friend, describing the events as though they had been a contemporary. The results were amazing, many insightful, thoughtful and well-written. It made the agony of the 40+, once a week, largely unmotivated junior classes worth enduring.
Savor the moments; they can compensate for a host of evils.

[Porter_Goss]

Ahh... moments like this will come and go. Don't let your guard down or you'll get the ole dong-chim first thing Monday morning.

[schwa]

Most of the students we teach are bright & thoughtful but its easy to miss due to language.

Good post -- a useful message to new teachers (& some jaded older ones). Its an art getting the kids to express themselves comfortably with foreigners & thats essentially why we're here.

Theres serious progress going on.

[SHANE02]