So, um, yeah. I’ve been here almost three weeks. The first week I pretty much already talked about. The two weeks after (currently in that second week after), I’ve been doing English Camp. Last week was 5th grade, this week is 6th grade.
What is English Camp? Well, looking at some people’s blogs, it actually is something of a summer camp. But for me (both in Japan and here in Korea), it’s just intensive (four-hour) English classes that take place in the summer. It’s not really worth describing in detail. And the meeting four hours a day thing isn’t that bad, if you just choose a theme for the day and designate each hour for different activities on that theme. Plus, the classes are really 40 minutes with 10 minute breaks.
But the thing that is worth noting is that last week was one of the best teaching experiences I’ve ever had (which, after having taught EFL for three years is saying something). First of all, my co-teacher was (or is) really great. We are quite like-minded and flexible in our teaching approach. With all the teachers I worked with in Japan (JET Program) and Taiwan, my co-teacher her in Korea has been the best.
Actually, to be honest, English Camp would have been a lot more difficult if it was left completely up to me to organize and teach it. I’m just not one of those people who can think of ideas from scratch. Maybe that’s not a good trait for someone who is a teacher, but then, that’s why I’ve gone back into co-teaching. Because I am good at expanding on other people’s ideas.
Second, the students have been great. Now, I always like my students regardless of their ability or motivation. But this 5th grade class was a really good bunch. Very motivated, they helped each other, and when they didn’t know how to say something in English, they asked me (something that never happened in Japan or Taiwan).
Anyway, the English Camp has been good, I’ve really enjoyed the students, and it’s great to be teaching again.
After this week, I’ll get a couple weeks off before the regular school year starts. If I had the money, I’d take a trip somewhere. But I don’t get paid until the 17th and my ARC won’t be ready until the 10th. I guess that second week I can do something. But like, when I do get paid, it won’t be for a full month (since quarantine was unpaid), and I need to make payments for my key money (rent/damage deposit) for the first three months.
But I’ll see what I can do when I get paid. Normally with two weeks free, I’d leave the country (it would be Japan, if I had the means), but things being what they are (mentioned above, but also the fact I’ve only been here a few weeks), I’ll probably just check things out in Korea. Once I start building my resources and have been here a while, I’ll be able to visit other countries again.
Well, that’s all for now. I’ll leave you with a couple pictures (apartment view and my 5th graders at English Camp).
2 comments:
Cool. Sounds like you are off to a good start, and in a great environment. Goo for you.
Yes, yes. It's very goo.
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