English Zone

I amaze my co-workers with my love of kimchi and my use of chopsticks.

They are convinced that I like kids (can you believe it?)

And everyone thinks I look 25.

The students say hello, hello teacher, or "I don't like English" (under their breath).

I couldn't be happier with my first few days of teaching.

So far I'm successfully tricking the kids into speaking English, and they don't seem to mind or be wrecking their heads over it.

Kids here will go to school from 8:30 until 2:40 and then depending on their age, they will have after school programs until 6 or 10pm. Students in high school have the most difficult schedule. I'm sorry for them sleeping on the bus because I can see that they are truly exhausted. (By the way teenagers here don't heckle you on the street like they do in Philadelphia or Oakland.) I guess that brings me to my point of not wanting to add stress to the high standard education these kids are getting. (As I've experienced it speaking and listening skills are lost to book smarts, and don't work for communication needs.)

The Ministry of Education has put a lot of money into English Language Education.

But overall schools here in Korea are amazing. Lots of TLC. The campus is green with flowers and vegetables growing , a fish pond, and outdoor seating for relaxing. School lunches are complete meals and tasty, served buffet style by really nice lunch ladies, and kids can get seconds if they want (or need).

Teachers in Korea are well paid and successful. A comprehensive test is given to prospective teachers. It's the type of test you would need to study for over a whole year. The test is given once a year, so unfortunately when a teacher fails (which is normal) the test must be taken the next year (and therefor studying another full year). I'm really impressed by the teachers, mainly their ability to use the harshest voice I've ever heard when addressing the class.

* I have a sore throat from talking for so many hours but I refuse to use the microphone, instead I've found Korean "Ricola".