SCHOOL

Friday was my first day of work. I took the subway to four stops down the line to Gwacheon Station, which only took about 15mins. Despite some trepidation about how busy it would be at about 8am, I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't anything crazy (nothing like the videos I've seen of Japan, where people pack in like sardines). Of course, the real test will be monday, when I have to walk from the station to the school all by myself...it's close, but anyone who knows me knows I'm not the best with direction; I basically wander around till I find what I'm looking for (so I guess I'll leave a little early). All the teachers at the school were really nice (as far as I can tell, all women; except for the principal and vice principal), and some of them could speak a little english. I just smiled a lot and said "anyeong haseyo" which is some sort of greeting (and most definitely spelled wrong). Everyone thinks I'm really cute and happy, so thats good; they also kept mentioning how my name was "expensive," so I'm thinking there's some word in Korean it sounds like...

So on fridays I have 4 classes of 6th graders, who are the oldest kids at the school. Since it was my first day, all I had to do was watch my coteacher. It doesn't seem that hard, just spewing information at them, attempting to get some sort of interaction or response, and keep them from killing each other (there were literally 2 kids doing full on wrestling moves on each other in the few minutes before class started; it was a little alarming, especially since everyone acted like it was normal). Of course, aside from the ultimate fighters, there were a couple nice kids; not surprisingly, the nice ones were girls, the bad ones boys...funny how that works; can't wait till Cameron's in elementary school, ha. All four classes are before lunch, then I have the rest of the afternoon to lesson plan, and do other teacherly things.

Next week on monday I have to teach 1st graders, and in Korea I think that means they're like 5, so that should be interesting; there's also one 6th grade class, and then one "global english" class, which is some kind of extra class kids can sign up for (and sounds super easy, its just to give them extra practice). And then some time next week I've got 4th graders. It really sounds like more work than it is; the other english teacher at the school gave me some websites that help a lot, and in some cases basically write the lessons for you! amazing. I'll end up doing 2 6th grade lessons, 2 4th grade, and 1 1st grade a week, and then some of those extra class thingys, which really just need the text book.

Well, so that's about all about my first day at a real job...oh, and Tim if you're reading this, you'll be ecstatic to know that I did take my nose ring out (just for work, though!) as my coteacher was worried about its affect on the little children... :)