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Published: March 18th 2007
I have been here over a month, and it has been an adventure. Teaching can be demanding, I feel as I constantly performing for an audience. I have lost my voice a couple of times. For my kindergarten kids its a balance between teaching the kids how to behave and teaching them english. They want to play games all the time and it can be very difficult to keep them focused, especially brian and louis. When we work on math or other types of worksheets, they often just copy their neighbor. It more important to them to finish then it is for them to understand the material. This is a battle for me, I try to stop the copying, and have everyone listen to me so they will understand the material. I use the board as much as possible, and ask questions to all the kids. But the levels between the children vary, some are so bright and others struggle. How do I find a balance with teach, so I can help the struggling ones and stimulate the kids who are smarter than the material?
It hard to discipline the kids as well. I repeat myself so often and then
I finally will punish the kids who misbehave, but more often then not the kids end up in tears. This is hard for me, I don't like to see them cry. The other teachers say that I have to toughen them up, and not to worry when they cry, but this is easier said then done. Some other days go so well, it inspiring to me, they learn and enjoy learning. I love it when the kids tell me they had fun or give me a hug at the end of the day.
But what an amazing experience, I have never done anything like this, and I am impressed with myself and what I can come up with to entertain and teach these kids. I have never been so out spoken before, and in a situation where I have to think on my feet fast, this bring me confidence. And my english is also improving, I know my grammar and can spell much better.
Korea is whole other type of adventure. Its mostly journey of being an outsider, where you are ignored or stared at. No koreans talk to you, and children will point. Its not because they
don't like me, but they mostly can't speak english, so they don't want to embarrass themselves and try to converse with me. However, when I do try to converse withe them they are very nice and try to understand. Korea has its been more of personal journey for me. I fight being lonely or intimation of making my way through these differences. Its strange to realize this is my home now. So my life is what it is, and no idea about the future, and I do find a new kind of freedom in that.
This week I will be traveling to Japan to get my work papers. I am very excited about this, another country in my passport. The school pays for this trip. I forgot where I am headed, I believe its one of the smaller islands in japan.
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anonymous
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Louis loved rocket balloons....
By far one of the best pics I've seen you take- absolutely fantastic!