Wow. I think had i been in your situation, i would have decided that this was one of those times that rules are meant to be broken. I'm impressed. And maybe a little disgusted.
Have you ever actually done that? It's just not within my capacity, particularly since my classes at Chungju MS had the lowest scores on the midterm. Before that test the Korean teachers just gave them IST (Independent Study Time), which of course they used to throw things and hit each other. If they don't have someone in the class to direct their attention they're not going to retain anything (I mean, they won't anyway, but at least they might pass the test, which is the point of education in Korea), so this time around I've made a vocab/grammar list and I'm trying to do "review activities" to keep them thinking. I'm sure that I'm going about it all wrong and their scores will actually decrease... although actually I wrote part of the test, so I am cunningly stressing certain bits of language and doing lots of "here's the answer, what's the question?" quiz games. ;-)
Thinking back, maybe I could have left a class alone before I knew my students. Knowing 'em doesn't make me like 'em, but I do feel responsible for 'em.
Today I taught all of my classes alone. With no warning. Third period I was walking to class with my co-teacher and she vanished and I never saw her again and I had to teach alone with no plan, but still preparing my students for the test next week. And I wrote test questions, and planned for my extra classes, and taught a teachers' class, and revised the tests for the other grades, and planned my special Christmas lesson for next week (which I will teach alone). And there was no snow.
However, I did get two of those fresh-cooked sweet potatoes about a month ago (on the day when I got an absurd amount of food) and I cannot overstate my agreement with your assessment: they are absurdly, brilliantly, crazily, dangerously, extravagantly, and all-of-the-other-adverbs-from-f-to-z-ly delicious.
Also, the school lunch today was fantastic. If you ever get a dish with ham and mysterious white, black, and green vegetables cut into long, thin slices, don't hesitate to eat it. That lunch was definitely the best part of my day.
I was doing a game of Special Review Constantinople today (which is not a "game," mind you, it's a Review Activity), and one of my groups wrote "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis." So far as I could tell in class they actually spelled it properly, so I ignored the fact that some linguists argue it's not a real word and gave them three extra bonus points. (Sadly, the team still lost by one point.) Would that all of my classes involved being so pleasantly surprised by my students.
Yeah, there are some things in which your students are just never going to be interested. Literature (especially poetry), decent movies, social issues, etymology, and the offical status of a state church are just a few of the topics that will not produce any reaction from them. Sometimes English is also in this category, which is a rather large obstacle for me.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting into a fight with me, Matthew. I don't know if I should mention it, but the whole reason I was in karate to begin with was because I let my younger sister beat me up all the time and never once in the two years I took karate did I ever beat someone while sparring (or for that matter enjoy myself).
I think a much more notable achievement in my martial arts history was when I took ki-aikido lessons in Bolivia and managed to fell giant Marines by twisting their fingers. (I must look out for these classes that teach you to channel your ki, or chi, or however you want to spell it, as they seem the most useful to females in distress.)
Marisa, I just have to say how happy I am that you've converted to a HIMYM fan. I'm sure that Danielle will be happy to hear too.
And in skimming comments, I noticed a few ppl mentioning things for Marisa to do in her spare time. I just have to say that after living with Marisa for 4 years, I can say that she ALWAYS has spare time. Finals week for her was the most relaxing time of the semester (and I see that hasn't changed). Don't ask me how that works. :D
Marisa, you have such an interesting voice. I agree with Doug that you should be thinking of writing a book, either for children or adults.
I'm pleased that you have chosen to let mom's phrase stay with mom. I'm sure you will come up with your own unique "mock belief" statement fitting a civilized person such as yourself.
I'm also pleased that the $ spent at "National Karate" was not wasted. You remembered a word. I'm a proud father.
And finally, leave it to Erica to find the source of the phrase "cut the cheese." I'm surprised she needed to use Google.
You were definitely taking a very mixed martial arts class; "bō" is a Japanese word, but one would never use a bō in karate because karate is explicitly a weaponless martial art. You were learning at least taekwondo and bōjutsu, and maybe you were getting some actual karate as well. Remind me never to attempt to fight you. ;-)
I will definitely watch out for this "get involved." Although I have been here over a month at this point and they are still telling me to "take a rest."
In my karate class we seemed to do both punching and kicking. We also did things with really long sticks we called bows, or boe, or bo. I don't know.
That is definitely weird... there's lots of variations on mixed martial arts, but I've never heard of calling Taekwondo "Karate." If Koreans heard of it they'd definitely be extremely indignant. Of course, both nations' martial arts were heavily influenced by Chinese forms, but they're definitely different. Was the focus on kicking with a bit of punching (which would mean it really was Taekwondo) or on striking with the hands (which would mean karate, bizarrely taught in Korean)?
I think that my teachers also told me to "take a rest" many times during my first month, but now they offer me chances to "get involved."
It was definitely called karate and they definitely taught us Korean. How this came about I don't know. I don't advertise the fact here that I was once in karate, because I figure it was some bastardized American version of something.
And most of the computers/giant tv screens work in our school. A few don't, that's how I ended up reciting Michael Jackson lyrics. I'm thinking the only teacher who might make me try and do something useful in class is Ms Park, and I might misunderstand her and play Bingo instead. Unless I can think of a quality TV show to play.
And I don't think they'll ever make me work really hard because my coteachers seem to think the most important thing for me to do is "take a rest." They are always telling me to "take a rest." They must be worried that I will get overworked or something.
Well, Matthew pretty much answered your questions. I like how Wikipedia defines Hagwon: "a for-profit private cram school." That's basically what they are: students go to them after regular school to get more English education in smaller and better organized classes. You can make more money teaching at a Hagwon, but the price you pay in return is odd working hours (afternoon to night), and teaching a lot more classes than at a public school.
Most of the English teachers here do seem to be around our age, though there are some notable exceptions, including a couple at the church in middle life with six kids who just moved here to teach at a Hagwon. The majority of teachers are indeed form Canada, though at the church the US has the edge.
...But tragically difficult to execute, thanks to my schools' attitude towards classroom technology. While all of my classrooms have either a huge wide-screen TV or a nice projector, these systems rarely actually "work." In both of my classrooms at Chungju MS, the sound system is shot, so that the speakers produce noises like a giant stomach attempting to rumble out the words. (In one case, I *know* that it's just a frayed wire going from the computer to the receiver, but no matter what I say or who I ask no one is willing to replace it.) At Tangeum MS about half of the classes have decent TVs, but since I rotate through every class it's impossible for me to determine beforehand whether or not I'll have a working system. Alas, what's important isn't the functionality, it's having the impressive-looking equipment up front. (Even if, as in several cases, that impressive-looking equipment has had huge holes punched through it by the kids.) Right now I'm in the awkward position of teaching a class on movie language that I've specifically designed not to use any movie clips. (It does use candy, which helps a lot.)
Apologies for the rant, but it is fairly frustrating to me that one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to improve my students' English and foster discussion is effectively unavailable to me. I really hope that you have more luck in your classrooms, Marisa.
Matthew implied a great idea - rather than cutting into your students' movie time, why not just show movies (or tv shows) in class after exams? There are lots of things you could show them to give them glimpses of American culture, and work on their passive understanding of English, and perhaps even make them feel that you are their favorite teacher ever (if they don't already feel that way).
And Marisa, with all of your free time, you ought to be turning out a children's book at least every other week. And if you sit typing away (and illustrating), and tell them you're writing a book about your experiences in Korea (and that if they're interesting they may end up in it), I'll bet you'll become even more popular (and in demand). :-)
Um... weren't you in Taekwondo? Karate is a Japanese martial art, so if you were learning Korean words that I don't know and getting a head start on me, you were probably studying "The Foot-Fist Way," not "Empty Hand."
At my schools the seniors all take their exams about a month before the others (because they need to get ready for high school), and having taught their classes now that they've finished I can assure you that yes, they will deeply resent you cutting into their movie time. One class is dealing with the after-exam slump by having a Vin Diesel marathon... why learn when you aren't going to be tested?
And of course one of my schools is having me run all of the review sessions, so actually I'm just as busy as the Korean teachers (if not more so). If you had been here longer they would probably be doing the same to you, so be happy now and prepare yourself for next semester's tests!
...Is me directing concentrated envy rays at you from Chungju. At any rate, I'm glad that you've finally broken into the foreigner community---it seems that you've got a much larger ex-pat population in Gunsan than I do in Chungju, as there were more foreign people at your church service than there are in my whole city!
@Mr. Magnuson: I can make an educated guess that most of the foreigners are from Canada, and that Gunsan is full of Korean churches that would have absolutely no idea what to do if a foreigner came walking in. And a hogwon, hakwon, hagwan, hokwon, hokwan, and etc. is a private English teaching school of the type that I worked at in Japan, except that in Korea they're usually small businesses (and sometimes are kind of shady).
Remember that "Marisa-teacher" is an example of the Korean kids simply inserting English words into a Korean construction. It's probably better to discourage them from using it...
Cool opportunity - it's great that you can have a Thanksgiving dinner, way out in Gunsan.
What's a hagwan? And who are these English Teachers? Are they American? Young like you guys? Have they been long in Korea? Do they eat kimchee whenever they aren't eating turkey, ham, etc.?
And do you know if there are any Korean churches in Gunsan? (Though with few foreigners, I don't suppose they would translate into English.)
My favorite is when the kids call me "Marisa Teacher." I'm not sure why, but I enjoy it.
As for the chopsticks, in Korea they use weird ones that are flat and skinny and short, so sometimes it can be tricky. Although, I've never thrown food around though, I guess I really didn't want to eat that carrot.
I guess I will have to write a book since everyone seems to think this is a good idea. Perhaps I will call myself, "Marisa Teacher."
That video is awesome Jordan, I liked it when the guy sat down next to you and you continued to film. I am impressed with your sneaky abilities.
Marisa, you should write books. We were always going to write a book remember? Now that all you do is teach a language you are proficient in, you could probably find some spare time to work on writing some good books.
Also, why can't you eat with chopsticks anymore?
And lastly, "cut the cheese" was supposedly originated somewhere between the 1950's and 1970's...the dates are unclear. I looked it up and found that it comes from cutting the wax casing open on limberg cheese and an awful smell escapes. The place of origin is unclear as well, so it may be a Minnesota thing. Although in this commercial (which is pretty funny)
Wow. I think had i been in your situation, i would have decided that this was one of those times that rules are meant to be broken. I'm impressed. And maybe a little disgusted.
Have you ever actually done that? It's just not within my capacity, particularly since my classes at Chungju MS had the lowest scores on the midterm. Before that test the Korean teachers just gave them IST (Independent Study Time), which of course they used to throw things and hit each other. If they don't have someone in the class to direct their attention they're not going to retain anything (I mean, they won't anyway, but at least they might pass the test, which is the point of education in Korea), so this time around I've made a vocab/grammar list and I'm trying to do "review activities" to keep them thinking. I'm sure that I'm going about it all wrong and their scores will actually decrease... although actually I wrote part of the test, so I am cunningly stressing certain bits of language and doing lots of "here's the answer, what's the question?" quiz games. ;-)
Thinking back, maybe I could have left a class alone before I knew my students. Knowing 'em doesn't make me like 'em, but I do feel responsible for 'em.
If my coteachers disappear, then I don't go to class. Problem solved.
Today I taught all of my classes alone. With no warning. Third period I was walking to class with my co-teacher and she vanished and I never saw her again and I had to teach alone with no plan, but still preparing my students for the test next week. And I wrote test questions, and planned for my extra classes, and taught a teachers' class, and revised the tests for the other grades, and planned my special Christmas lesson for next week (which I will teach alone). And there was no snow.
However, I did get two of those fresh-cooked sweet potatoes about a month ago (on the day when I got an absurd amount of food) and I cannot overstate my agreement with your assessment: they are absurdly, brilliantly, crazily, dangerously, extravagantly, and all-of-the-other-adverbs-from-f-to-z-ly delicious.
Also, the school lunch today was fantastic. If you ever get a dish with ham and mysterious white, black, and green vegetables cut into long, thin slices, don't hesitate to eat it. That lunch was definitely the best part of my day.
I was doing a game of Special Review Constantinople today (which is not a "game," mind you, it's a Review Activity), and one of my groups wrote "pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis." So far as I could tell in class they actually spelled it properly, so I ignored the fact that some linguists argue it's not a real word and gave them three extra bonus points. (Sadly, the team still lost by one point.) Would that all of my classes involved being so pleasantly surprised by my students.
Yeah, there are some things in which your students are just never going to be interested. Literature (especially poetry), decent movies, social issues, etymology, and the offical status of a state church are just a few of the topics that will not produce any reaction from them. Sometimes English is also in this category, which is a rather large obstacle for me.
Kiai are awesome. Extremely overused in anime, but still awesome.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting into a fight with me, Matthew. I don't know if I should mention it, but the whole reason I was in karate to begin with was because I let my younger sister beat me up all the time and never once in the two years I took karate did I ever beat someone while sparring (or for that matter enjoy myself).
I think a much more notable achievement in my martial arts history was when I took ki-aikido lessons in Bolivia and managed to fell giant Marines by twisting their fingers. (I must look out for these classes that teach you to channel your ki, or chi, or however you want to spell it, as they seem the most useful to females in distress.)
Marisa, I just have to say how happy I am that you've converted to a HIMYM fan. I'm sure that Danielle will be happy to hear too.
And in skimming comments, I noticed a few ppl mentioning things for Marisa to do in her spare time. I just have to say that after living with Marisa for 4 years, I can say that she ALWAYS has spare time. Finals week for her was the most relaxing time of the semester (and I see that hasn't changed). Don't ask me how that works. :D
Marisa, you have such an interesting voice. I agree with Doug that you should be thinking of writing a book, either for children or adults.
I'm pleased that you have chosen to let mom's phrase stay with mom. I'm sure you will come up with your own unique "mock belief" statement fitting a civilized person such as yourself.
I'm also pleased that the $ spent at "National Karate" was not wasted. You remembered a word. I'm a proud father.
And finally, leave it to Erica to find the source of the phrase "cut the cheese." I'm surprised she needed to use Google.
You were definitely taking a very mixed martial arts class; "bō" is a Japanese word, but one would never use a bō in karate because karate is explicitly a weaponless martial art. You were learning at least taekwondo and bōjutsu, and maybe you were getting some actual karate as well. Remind me never to attempt to fight you. ;-)
I will definitely watch out for this "get involved." Although I have been here over a month at this point and they are still telling me to "take a rest."
In my karate class we seemed to do both punching and kicking. We also did things with really long sticks we called bows, or boe, or bo. I don't know.
That is definitely weird... there's lots of variations on mixed martial arts, but I've never heard of calling Taekwondo "Karate." If Koreans heard of it they'd definitely be extremely indignant. Of course, both nations' martial arts were heavily influenced by Chinese forms, but they're definitely different. Was the focus on kicking with a bit of punching (which would mean it really was Taekwondo) or on striking with the hands (which would mean karate, bizarrely taught in Korean)?
I think that my teachers also told me to "take a rest" many times during my first month, but now they offer me chances to "get involved."
It was definitely called karate and they definitely taught us Korean. How this came about I don't know. I don't advertise the fact here that I was once in karate, because I figure it was some bastardized American version of something.
And most of the computers/giant tv screens work in our school. A few don't, that's how I ended up reciting Michael Jackson lyrics. I'm thinking the only teacher who might make me try and do something useful in class is Ms Park, and I might misunderstand her and play Bingo instead. Unless I can think of a quality TV show to play.
And I don't think they'll ever make me work really hard because my coteachers seem to think the most important thing for me to do is "take a rest." They are always telling me to "take a rest." They must be worried that I will get overworked or something.
Well, Matthew pretty much answered your questions. I like how Wikipedia defines Hagwon: "a for-profit private cram school." That's basically what they are: students go to them after regular school to get more English education in smaller and better organized classes. You can make more money teaching at a Hagwon, but the price you pay in return is odd working hours (afternoon to night), and teaching a lot more classes than at a public school.
Most of the English teachers here do seem to be around our age, though there are some notable exceptions, including a couple at the church in middle life with six kids who just moved here to teach at a Hagwon. The majority of teachers are indeed form Canada, though at the church the US has the edge.
Marisa, you will not believe this...
I am signed up for Karate next semester! I already think I will be a star with the Chumbi pose. I do recall a thing or two.
Just thought I'd let you know, so you can live through me a bit.
Also, exercise really is a tough word. I struggle with it every time I have to spell it.
...But tragically difficult to execute, thanks to my schools' attitude towards classroom technology. While all of my classrooms have either a huge wide-screen TV or a nice projector, these systems rarely actually "work." In both of my classrooms at Chungju MS, the sound system is shot, so that the speakers produce noises like a giant stomach attempting to rumble out the words. (In one case, I *know* that it's just a frayed wire going from the computer to the receiver, but no matter what I say or who I ask no one is willing to replace it.) At Tangeum MS about half of the classes have decent TVs, but since I rotate through every class it's impossible for me to determine beforehand whether or not I'll have a working system. Alas, what's important isn't the functionality, it's having the impressive-looking equipment up front. (Even if, as in several cases, that impressive-looking equipment has had huge holes punched through it by the kids.) Right now I'm in the awkward position of teaching a class on movie language that I've specifically designed not to use any movie clips. (It does use candy, which helps a lot.)
Apologies for the rant, but it is fairly frustrating to me that one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to improve my students' English and foster discussion is effectively unavailable to me. I really hope that you have more luck in your classrooms, Marisa.
Matthew implied a great idea - rather than cutting into your students' movie time, why not just show movies (or tv shows) in class after exams? There are lots of things you could show them to give them glimpses of American culture, and work on their passive understanding of English, and perhaps even make them feel that you are their favorite teacher ever (if they don't already feel that way).
And Marisa, with all of your free time, you ought to be turning out a children's book at least every other week. And if you sit typing away (and illustrating), and tell them you're writing a book about your experiences in Korea (and that if they're interesting they may end up in it), I'll bet you'll become even more popular (and in demand). :-)
Um... weren't you in Taekwondo? Karate is a Japanese martial art, so if you were learning Korean words that I don't know and getting a head start on me, you were probably studying "The Foot-Fist Way," not "Empty Hand."
At my schools the seniors all take their exams about a month before the others (because they need to get ready for high school), and having taught their classes now that they've finished I can assure you that yes, they will deeply resent you cutting into their movie time. One class is dealing with the after-exam slump by having a Vin Diesel marathon... why learn when you aren't going to be tested?
And of course one of my schools is having me run all of the review sessions, so actually I'm just as busy as the Korean teachers (if not more so). If you had been here longer they would probably be doing the same to you, so be happy now and prepare yourself for next semester's tests!
I like it when people mix their language & culture with one they are learning. Tunisian Arabic was full of French expressions that they Tunisified...
Go figure.
...Is me directing concentrated envy rays at you from Chungju. At any rate, I'm glad that you've finally broken into the foreigner community---it seems that you've got a much larger ex-pat population in Gunsan than I do in Chungju, as there were more foreign people at your church service than there are in my whole city!
@Mr. Magnuson: I can make an educated guess that most of the foreigners are from Canada, and that Gunsan is full of Korean churches that would have absolutely no idea what to do if a foreigner came walking in. And a hogwon, hakwon, hagwan, hokwon, hokwan, and etc. is a private English teaching school of the type that I worked at in Japan, except that in Korea they're usually small businesses (and sometimes are kind of shady).
Remember that "Marisa-teacher" is an example of the Korean kids simply inserting English words into a Korean construction. It's probably better to discourage them from using it...
And yes, the chopsticks here are way too short.
Cool opportunity - it's great that you can have a Thanksgiving dinner, way out in Gunsan.
What's a hagwan? And who are these English Teachers? Are they American? Young like you guys? Have they been long in Korea? Do they eat kimchee whenever they aren't eating turkey, ham, etc.?
And do you know if there are any Korean churches in Gunsan? (Though with few foreigners, I don't suppose they would translate into English.)
Thanks for keeping the great posts coming.
My favorite is when the kids call me "Marisa Teacher." I'm not sure why, but I enjoy it.
As for the chopsticks, in Korea they use weird ones that are flat and skinny and short, so sometimes it can be tricky. Although, I've never thrown food around though, I guess I really didn't want to eat that carrot.
I guess I will have to write a book since everyone seems to think this is a good idea. Perhaps I will call myself, "Marisa Teacher."
That video is awesome Jordan, I liked it when the guy sat down next to you and you continued to film. I am impressed with your sneaky abilities.
Marisa, you should write books. We were always going to write a book remember? Now that all you do is teach a language you are proficient in, you could probably find some spare time to work on writing some good books.
Also, why can't you eat with chopsticks anymore?
And lastly, "cut the cheese" was supposedly originated somewhere between the 1950's and 1970's...the dates are unclear. I looked it up and found that it comes from cutting the wax casing open on limberg cheese and an awful smell escapes. The place of origin is unclear as well, so it may be a Minnesota thing. Although in this commercial (which is pretty funny)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc8mHUa5zFE
they don't seem to be from the Midwest - which means that people across the nation, and not just Minnesota, must know what it means.