Job Schmob

It’s been some time since I have spoke or written to anyone.  Boy have I learned a lot!  Mostly good things.  And some things are good to know just because.  So, I hope to keep you entertained for as long as you read this blog and about my travels and experience. 

For starters, I work at a private school.  Foreigners (white folks: mostly people from America, Canada and South Africa) call it “Kindie” because I mostly work with Kindergarteners.  This concept of working with this age group is very foreign to me.  And then slap that onto to living in a new country where you can’t just pick up the language.  It can be daunting, but I usually like a challenge, so why not.  The school is called “Genius Academy”.  Which means I create genii.  How do you like them apples?!  At least I hope I am.  I am the only fulltime English teacher; I pretty much have a 9-5 job (with lots of prep time).  There is another girl work works at my school that I have grown fond of and I’m happy to have made a friend here. 

There are about 50 students in all, and the ages range from two years old to about six maybe.  That is in the morning until 3 when most of them are dismissed, some stay after school and play games and such.  This is where at least everyday there is one kid who sneezes and then has snot dangling from him nose.  And every time he is shocked it happened, yet captivated there is such a magical goopy goodness coming from him.  And I, “teachaaaaa” must go over and wipe off his nose without gagging on him.  It’s quite challenging.  I’m sure I will get to share many other exciting stories about these mostly adorable children.  I teach from different English books that are a year or two too advanced for the kids.  But I think the point is for the kids to hear English and be comfortable with a foreigner.

And then at 4-6:10 I teach first, second and third grade.  I prefer teaching these kids even though they are sometimes exhausting.  They are a bit rambunctious but most are eager to learn and want to give you the right answer.  And to most Koreans, there is only one right answer.  I get to be with the kids who still have most of their imagination.  After this age school begins to suck it out of them.  I enjoy this age because I can almost carry a conversation with them and they are excited about working.