We really could not have asked for a better school and schedule than the one we have. We have class from 8:30 to 3:10, and we have an hour and 40 minute break each day. We stay after school until about 4:10 preparing for the next day. The students call us "Carrie Teacher" and "Bradley Teacher." As I have said earlier, both Bradley and I have about 300 students. There are also 8 Korean English teachers, who have the same group of students each period, everyday. Once a week we go into each classroom and work with students grade 1-6 on various topics. Some students, like the 1st and 2nd graders, have a math or science book in English which we read out of. Basically we are trying to expand their vocabulary by teaching these subjects in English. Some of the other grades use a reading comprehension book, which has stories about random things with questions at the end about the reading. We have taught the students in these classes such topics as "What is the St. Louis Arch?" "Where does Maple Syrup Come From? and "What are Baby Teeth?" The baby teeth class was fun because some kids had never heard about the tooth fairy, and so that was interesting to see their reactions when I told them I used to get money under my pillow when I lost a tooth ("Really Carrie teacher?? For real??) On a side note, I learned that here in Korea they throw their baby teeth on the roof because it is considered good luck if a Magpie comes and picks it up off the roof (although some student's parents are starting to teach their kids about the tooth fairy, as our Western culture influences the culture here). Lastly, our older students learn about debate, critical thinking, and discussion. They have a book that has different Korean children's stories in it, and the class is supposed to debate about the morals of the stories. They are totally bored with the book because the stories are well known here, but it is fun for me to read them! :) We only see each class once a week, but we also have a morning class that is for advanced students who want to learn more English. We see this class 4 days a week in the morning. Bradley has the 2nd and 3rd graders, while I have the 4th-6th graders. It has been fun having this class because we get to know these students better and I have had lots of interesting conversations with them. There are 10-12 students in each class, including the morning class, so that is nice.
The Korean English teachers are also very nice. Sometimes they stay in the room while we teach, and other times they don't. We all eat lunch together in the cafeteria everyday. (Which can be delicious or gross depending on the day. One thing is for sure, we will always have rice!) One of the teachers gives us a ride home everyday too :) We help them out by grading their student's English diaries, which I think is really fun! All the teachers have all been very kind and helpful and sometimes give us little presents for helping them. It is good to have such nice co-workers.
We love our school and are so glad we came here!
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| Our lovely school |
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| Self portraits from past students out in front of our school |
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| The front patio |
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| The fountain that doesn't work and the kids play on the ice in winter |
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| Don't forget to take off your outside shoes and wear some slippers |
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| The school's motto |
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| Our office/example of our English classrooms |
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| The teachers lounge |
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| We are on the 5th floor. |
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| Some of our kiddos |
