Friday brings day 5 of the BBB.
3 questions were submitted to Matt, I think, and we'll be answering these today.
If you could teach in a different country, where would it be?
I would choose Hong Kong first, no question. I spent my Lunar New Years in HK in 2011, and welcomed in the year of the Rabbit. Hong Kong is a unique city/state that has a ton of culture that's unlike anywhere else I've been (mostly because I've never been to Africa). <-- colonialism jab? yep.
Otherwise I'd probably choose somewhere in Southeast Asia. The weather is nicer and more options to travel in neighboring countries. South Korea is lacking in quality neighbors... Flights to Japan rival LA in price, and once you get there it's still extremely expensive. China requires an expensive tourist visa that also requires more than 6 months left on your Alien Registration Card. North Korea also isn't all that friendly to ESL teachers in Korea.
What is the weirdest thing you've eaten and liked and disliked?
I'm not proud of this answer, but it's true. The weirdest thing I've eaten is dog. It came in two forms, first was a soup that wasn't all that bad. The second was just pieces of meat. That was horrible, and would never eat it again.
Most surprising food that I liked would probably be seaweed. Seaweed is used in many ways here, most popular is using it to replace salt. My favorite is probably the squares of seaweed that you wrap around rice. Surprisingly good!
Last Question:
What is the most memorable lost-in-translation moment in Korea?
taxi rides have so much potential for epic lost-in-translation moments.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
BBB 4: shit, I'm late
Back at it on day 4 of the Badger Blogging Blitz! Sorry to my fellow Badgers for being a bit late. I think we've all had a few days with unexpected turns, and today was just that. Finally home and ready to write a quick bit.
Question 1:
Has your time in Korea changed you?
Two years in a different country will change anyone. I just hope that I've changed for the better! I definitely notice my patience has increased, and my ability to work with kids has improved tremendously. I suppose I've just matured a bit in the past two years...
Question 2:
What will you tell your kids about Korea in 20 years?
I hope to come back here with my kids some day. I hope Korea continues to prosper, and they become as modern as the United States (they're not far off). So, I hope to tell my kids about what it was like at this time in Korea, in a time when Asia is making a mad dash towards English. I think this is a unique time, and is an opportunity that will not be around forever. I'll probably have many stories to tell them about the friends I made, and the trips I went on.
Sorry for the super short and thoughtless blog post today. I'll try to do my best tomorrow.
check out the other bloggers!!!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Question 1:
Has your time in Korea changed you?
Two years in a different country will change anyone. I just hope that I've changed for the better! I definitely notice my patience has increased, and my ability to work with kids has improved tremendously. I suppose I've just matured a bit in the past two years...
Question 2:
What will you tell your kids about Korea in 20 years?
I hope to come back here with my kids some day. I hope Korea continues to prosper, and they become as modern as the United States (they're not far off). So, I hope to tell my kids about what it was like at this time in Korea, in a time when Asia is making a mad dash towards English. I think this is a unique time, and is an opportunity that will not be around forever. I'll probably have many stories to tell them about the friends I made, and the trips I went on.
Sorry for the super short and thoughtless blog post today. I'll try to do my best tomorrow.
check out the other bloggers!!!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
BBB 3: no classes and bibimbop!
Day three of the bonanza brings one of the better days I've had at school. As you'll see, it does not take much to make my day. I received the greatest gift one can give to an ESL teacher, the news that 6th grade students will be occupied all day with standardized testing!!! NO CLASSES!!! Instead I caught a few innings of the Brewers' beatdown on the Astros, caught up with my brother, and prepped for my little kids class this afternoon. If that wasn't enough, the lunchroom was serving BIBIMBOP! For some reason Wednesdays tend to offer the best school lunches, which is why they are affectionately known as Tasty Wednesdays.
I planned on giving a glimpse of my day through photos, but with no classes and the rain outside I have decided to postpone the photos.
Today's two questions:
Which student has had the most impact on you, and why?
The student who immediately comes to mind is a girl named Sunny. She's been in my class since I started in Korea, so I've had the opportunity to see her grow up a bit. Kids change a hell of a lot between 4th grade and 6th grade! She will be my most memorable student when all is said and done. In 4th grade she struggled with the alphabet, however she attended my phonics after-school class during my first semester here. She always tried her hardest in every class, and always came with a great attitude. I was really fortunate to teach that class my first semester! They really made me want to become a better teacher! After that class, she spent 5th grade somewhere near the middle of the pack in regards to English ability in the class. Now, as a 6th grader, she is one of the most active students in regular classes, and even applied to my advanced English class. Unfortunately she wasn't selected for the advanced class, but it's miraculous how far she's come in less than two years! It is so much more difficult for the students to pick up the basics of the language if they don't try to learn it in the earlier grades. This is mostly due to the incredible criticism each student gets from their peers. Not only has she caught up with her classmates in English, but also is an outstanding student. She's the most respectful and happy student I have.
Question 2:
Do you think you are making an impact on your students' English ability?
Nope. just wasted two years of my life.
Kidding, I do think I have had some sort of impact on my students English skills. Obviously, as an elementary teacher I have different expectations or goals than a high school teacher. I think I've had a significant impact on my youngest students, even though it has been the simplest things. I have 5th and 6th graders who don't know the ABCs, and without them, the most basic building blocks, they won't learn any English outside of what they glean from their video games. If the youngest leave my class with the ABC's, some numbers, and maybe even colors, I'll be content. They also won't be scared to participate in English class once it really starts for them.
As for my older students, I think I have helped their English abilities in different ways. When these students leave elementary school I hope they've gained some comfort in using English. Many Koreans have some English ability but refuse to use it. Losing face is not an option in this country, so it is easier to say "I don't know" than to try and be wrong. I hope they're more comfortable with foreigners, and open to learning English in a more serious setting when they grow older. I also hope they can use past-tense verbs by the time they're done here, but that's shooting for the stars.
In short, I think I have. Some more than others. I just hope they don't hate English by the time they leave.
Take a moment to check out the other blogs!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
I planned on giving a glimpse of my day through photos, but with no classes and the rain outside I have decided to postpone the photos.
Today's two questions:
Which student has had the most impact on you, and why?
The student who immediately comes to mind is a girl named Sunny. She's been in my class since I started in Korea, so I've had the opportunity to see her grow up a bit. Kids change a hell of a lot between 4th grade and 6th grade! She will be my most memorable student when all is said and done. In 4th grade she struggled with the alphabet, however she attended my phonics after-school class during my first semester here. She always tried her hardest in every class, and always came with a great attitude. I was really fortunate to teach that class my first semester! They really made me want to become a better teacher! After that class, she spent 5th grade somewhere near the middle of the pack in regards to English ability in the class. Now, as a 6th grader, she is one of the most active students in regular classes, and even applied to my advanced English class. Unfortunately she wasn't selected for the advanced class, but it's miraculous how far she's come in less than two years! It is so much more difficult for the students to pick up the basics of the language if they don't try to learn it in the earlier grades. This is mostly due to the incredible criticism each student gets from their peers. Not only has she caught up with her classmates in English, but also is an outstanding student. She's the most respectful and happy student I have.
Question 2:
Do you think you are making an impact on your students' English ability?
Nope. just wasted two years of my life.
Kidding, I do think I have had some sort of impact on my students English skills. Obviously, as an elementary teacher I have different expectations or goals than a high school teacher. I think I've had a significant impact on my youngest students, even though it has been the simplest things. I have 5th and 6th graders who don't know the ABCs, and without them, the most basic building blocks, they won't learn any English outside of what they glean from their video games. If the youngest leave my class with the ABC's, some numbers, and maybe even colors, I'll be content. They also won't be scared to participate in English class once it really starts for them.
As for my older students, I think I have helped their English abilities in different ways. When these students leave elementary school I hope they've gained some comfort in using English. Many Koreans have some English ability but refuse to use it. Losing face is not an option in this country, so it is easier to say "I don't know" than to try and be wrong. I hope they're more comfortable with foreigners, and open to learning English in a more serious setting when they grow older. I also hope they can use past-tense verbs by the time they're done here, but that's shooting for the stars.
In short, I think I have. Some more than others. I just hope they don't hate English by the time they leave.
Take a moment to check out the other blogs!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
BBB day 2!
Day 2 of the Badger Blogging Blitz!
Two questions and a rant about something I won’t miss about the ROK.
First up,
"How does your school experience at the age of your students compare to that in Korea?"
I look forward to reading my fellow badgers’ answers to this question. We range from elementary school to high school, so we’re going to have a variety of answers.
Personally, my elementary school experience was nothing like the school in which I teach. I think there are two main contributing factors that explain why they differ. First, and most obvious, is that I went to elementary school nearly two decades ago. I hope my school (Summit Elementary) has evolved some from the time I attended it in the early 90’s. I’m positive it has because I remember our computer lab with old-school Macs that had black and green screens. The hottest game at the time was Number Munchers, the hardest level being “Prime Numbers.” I’ve had a passionate hatred for prime numbers due to my consistent low scores.
In comparison, a robotics class is being taught in my classroom at the moment. First and second graders are making motorcycles out of Legos and small battery-powered motors. Pretty cool!
The other way my experience in elementary school differs is the schools’ priorities are much, MUCH different. I don’t believe I had a cultural experience in grade school. A small school in rural Wisconsin doesn’t care about such things. The most cultural tidbit we learned was what a Dradle is and the game that accompanies it. Nothing more than a candy opportunity in music class.
Contrast that with what I am doing in Korea. 5th and 6th graders have three hours of English each week. The younger students have 1 or 2 hours. I teach English but also teach about culture whenever possible. Students in my classes are already clamoring about what countries they hope to visit, and have a fairly good understanding of why English might be very important in their future.
It might seem like these students are going to be so much better off than my generation, but these kids go home and melt their faces off with World of Warcraft...
Next question:
"If you had the opportunity to change 5 things at your school, what would they be and why?
I think this question is better answered from some of the other writers. My big complaints are petty and embarrassing. I am the first to admit that I work in an above average school. Actually, it’s probably one of the best in the area.
1. I’d change the lunch menu. No more octopus, squid, or whole fish dishes. While we’re at it I’d remove all meat that has bones. I can’t fathom American schools giving kids dishes with bones in them.
2. Change the location of this robotics class that I’m stuck in. 8 year olds making robots means they’re also making every robot noise they can think of.
3. Corporal punishment (kidding)
A. (kind of)
4. More time for the kids to play outside.
5. More time devoted to ANYTHING that allows the students to be creative. I see a lot of followers and only one or two leaders in my classes.
My time is coming to an end in South Korea, and recently I’ve spent a bit of time on what I think I’ll miss in Korea, and things I can’t wait to escape. I thought I’d share one of the things I cannot wait to escape. South Korea's surprising inefficiency.
I could point to many examples that would display their ability to not be productive, but one in particular sticks out in my mind. It happened last week while I was waiting for the bus to school. When I see police officers in in my neighborhood I tend to watch them simply because there is no crime. I’m always curious how they spend their days (they should blog). First, their police cars are super small, basically a modern Geo Metro. What would they do if they actually had to detain someone? Next, they drive in pairs, taking the buddy system to a whole new level. I could definitely understand this if it was New York City or a rough part of Chicago. Instead, they both manage to do nothing while looking busy. This is what it means to be a diligent worker, I think. In this particular moment the two men seemed baffled by a car that had been parked slightly too close to the bus stop. They managed to secure a perimeter and wait. Next, a new SUV pulls up where two city employees get out to examine the vehicle in question. They confirm it’s too close to the bus stop and take some pictures. The first set of officers write up a lengthy ticket and put it on the windshield. They chatted a bit more, and then all drive off. Four people, 20 minutes,a ticket, and a car that doesn’t get moved.
There are many things I’ll miss about South Korea. Their form of diligence will not be one of them.
Don’t stop now. Click on the links below to check out other Badger blogs!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Two questions and a rant about something I won’t miss about the ROK.
First up,
"How does your school experience at the age of your students compare to that in Korea?"
I look forward to reading my fellow badgers’ answers to this question. We range from elementary school to high school, so we’re going to have a variety of answers.
Personally, my elementary school experience was nothing like the school in which I teach. I think there are two main contributing factors that explain why they differ. First, and most obvious, is that I went to elementary school nearly two decades ago. I hope my school (Summit Elementary) has evolved some from the time I attended it in the early 90’s. I’m positive it has because I remember our computer lab with old-school Macs that had black and green screens. The hottest game at the time was Number Munchers, the hardest level being “Prime Numbers.” I’ve had a passionate hatred for prime numbers due to my consistent low scores.
 |
| maybe level 1 wasn't so bad |
In comparison, a robotics class is being taught in my classroom at the moment. First and second graders are making motorcycles out of Legos and small battery-powered motors. Pretty cool!
The other way my experience in elementary school differs is the schools’ priorities are much, MUCH different. I don’t believe I had a cultural experience in grade school. A small school in rural Wisconsin doesn’t care about such things. The most cultural tidbit we learned was what a Dradle is and the game that accompanies it. Nothing more than a candy opportunity in music class.
Contrast that with what I am doing in Korea. 5th and 6th graders have three hours of English each week. The younger students have 1 or 2 hours. I teach English but also teach about culture whenever possible. Students in my classes are already clamoring about what countries they hope to visit, and have a fairly good understanding of why English might be very important in their future.
It might seem like these students are going to be so much better off than my generation, but these kids go home and melt their faces off with World of Warcraft...
 |
| on every street corner |
Next question:
"If you had the opportunity to change 5 things at your school, what would they be and why?
I think this question is better answered from some of the other writers. My big complaints are petty and embarrassing. I am the first to admit that I work in an above average school. Actually, it’s probably one of the best in the area.
1. I’d change the lunch menu. No more octopus, squid, or whole fish dishes. While we’re at it I’d remove all meat that has bones. I can’t fathom American schools giving kids dishes with bones in them.
2. Change the location of this robotics class that I’m stuck in. 8 year olds making robots means they’re also making every robot noise they can think of.
3. Corporal punishment (kidding)
A. (kind of)
4. More time for the kids to play outside.
5. More time devoted to ANYTHING that allows the students to be creative. I see a lot of followers and only one or two leaders in my classes.
My time is coming to an end in South Korea, and recently I’ve spent a bit of time on what I think I’ll miss in Korea, and things I can’t wait to escape. I thought I’d share one of the things I cannot wait to escape. South Korea's surprising inefficiency.
I could point to many examples that would display their ability to not be productive, but one in particular sticks out in my mind. It happened last week while I was waiting for the bus to school. When I see police officers in in my neighborhood I tend to watch them simply because there is no crime. I’m always curious how they spend their days (they should blog). First, their police cars are super small, basically a modern Geo Metro. What would they do if they actually had to detain someone? Next, they drive in pairs, taking the buddy system to a whole new level. I could definitely understand this if it was New York City or a rough part of Chicago. Instead, they both manage to do nothing while looking busy. This is what it means to be a diligent worker, I think. In this particular moment the two men seemed baffled by a car that had been parked slightly too close to the bus stop. They managed to secure a perimeter and wait. Next, a new SUV pulls up where two city employees get out to examine the vehicle in question. They confirm it’s too close to the bus stop and take some pictures. The first set of officers write up a lengthy ticket and put it on the windshield. They chatted a bit more, and then all drive off. Four people, 20 minutes,a ticket, and a car that doesn’t get moved.
There are many things I’ll miss about South Korea. Their form of diligence will not be one of them.
Don’t stop now. Click on the links below to check out other Badger blogs!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Monday, April 23, 2012
BBB Day 1: Surreal Korea & Advice for Pre-Korea Keith
Day 1 of the Badger Blogging Blitz has begun, and I see a few other people have already posted their responses to today's question. Be sure to click on the links below to check out their views!
First up, what
has been the most surreal experience so far?
The most surreal experience I’ve had in
Korea has been going on for 20 months now.
I don’t see or feel it on a day-to-day basis, but when I step back from
my routine and actually examine what I’ve done in South Korea I begin to
realize. Going from nothing to calling a
foreign country “home” has been a long, but fantastic experience.
I realized this after declaring this
question too difficult because I don’t deem any single event to be all that
surreal. I’ve normalized everything in
Korea, even the apartment lifestyle. But
when I look at the larger picture, I recognize this whole experience has been a
bit mind blowing. The day I graduated
from UW I was not ready to move to Asia.
I wasn’t ready to move to Asia the day I moved to Asia. Maybe it’s actually a good thing, but I had
not prepared myself mentally to live in a different country for a year,
especially in Korea where I didn’t speak a word of the language. But that is why this experience has been what
it is: I started from nothing and
clueless, and have managed to make it my home.
A few things that I've been surprised by, or have led me to calling SK "home":
1.
My ability to teach-- I had some serious doubts about whether or
not I could teach in an Elementary school.
They proved to be reasonable doubts, too! The first few months I really struggled with
the age of the students and recognizing what they need. I was fresh out of college where we attend
lectures and discussions, now I was teaching little kids who scream, kick, pull
hair, and CRY. I feel bad for the first
students who had to suffer through my inability to connect and understand
them. I still don’t necessarily
understand them, but I’m tolerant. Now I
have forged a few relationships with some of the students that I’m proud
of. Students don’t fear the thought of
talking to the English teacher, and some even seek me out.
2. New Friends-- The new friends I’ve made in
Korea will last a lifetime. Sounds cliché,
and it is. I’ve made friends from every English
speaking country in the world. I suppose
I’ve met more Americans than any other country, but I still have friends from
the UK, from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and of course South
Korea. I’m very fortunate to have met
all these great people. If there is one
thing all the ESL teachers have in common, it’s that we all have a unique story
to tell or experience to share.
3.
Living in Korea-- More specifically, living in Korea and not
absolutely hating it. Korea is unlike
any other country I’ve spent time in, so to move there permanently (for 20
months now) was a struggle. I’m proud of
my ability to adapt. I don’t notice it
really, but comparing myself from 20 months ago, to today, is crazy. It forces you to be outgoing, and I now
appreciate that as much as anything I’ve learned since coming to Korea.
It’s been surreal to realize how I’ve grown
and changed without even knowing it. It’s
been a fun ride!
This has been a
long post already, so I’ll quickly answer the last question.
What 5
things would you tell yourself before boarding the plane to come to South
Korea?
5 Things I’d tell pre-Korea Keith:
1.
Dude, stop complaining that you’re
leaving all of your friends behind.
Turns out you won’t be the only foreigner in Korea! In fact, you’ll make more friends than you
did in college, and become surprisingly close to them due to the crazy
experiences you’ll have while coping in a new country!
2.
Bring an extra stick of
deodorant.
3.
Learn more Korean than “Anyong”
4.
Don’t wait til Japan to start
cashing in on the free booze offered on international flights.
A.
Fly Korean Air more often.
5.
Be prepared to deal with things
you cannot prepare for. Patience is a
virtue.
Finally, I'll give a short recap of my typical Monday.
Today was fairly common, my first two classes were moved to different periods. English is always the first to get bumped or canceled. I'm okay with this, but sometimes it can be very obnoxious to prepare lessons to find out that you won't need them. They always get used eventually, so it's no biggie. What's more annoying is when I'm the last to find all of this out... Oh well, could be worse!
I killed two hours with my sixth graders before lunch. These kids have a ton of energy and make a point to do their best to break my spirit. They've only succeeded once or twice. I've broken theirs every other day. Mess with the bull, you get the horns! Not really, but I like to think I have some sort of effect on them, and it certainly isn't English.
Lunch consists of white rice, standard kimchi, whole fish soup, and a yogurt/fruit salad. It wasn't too shabby. Lunch is always an uplifting time. My little rugrats always scream my name (keiss) and beg for high fives.
Back up stairs to knock out those two classes that got re-scheduled. Same lesson as the previous 6th grade classes, so no prep needed. Students' behavior is similar, shitty.
Today is the first day of my after-school advanced English class. This is the one class I'm really excited about. I've chosen some of the best students in the school and we'll be reading books and watching the movie version of the book. We started 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' today, and I think the kids are really going to enjoy the class.
Finished the class up, blogged more than I have in the past 2 months, and now I'm walking out the door to the gym.
Come back tomorrow for some more answers to Korea's most important questions.
Finally, I'll give a short recap of my typical Monday.
Today was fairly common, my first two classes were moved to different periods. English is always the first to get bumped or canceled. I'm okay with this, but sometimes it can be very obnoxious to prepare lessons to find out that you won't need them. They always get used eventually, so it's no biggie. What's more annoying is when I'm the last to find all of this out... Oh well, could be worse!
I killed two hours with my sixth graders before lunch. These kids have a ton of energy and make a point to do their best to break my spirit. They've only succeeded once or twice. I've broken theirs every other day. Mess with the bull, you get the horns! Not really, but I like to think I have some sort of effect on them, and it certainly isn't English.
Lunch consists of white rice, standard kimchi, whole fish soup, and a yogurt/fruit salad. It wasn't too shabby. Lunch is always an uplifting time. My little rugrats always scream my name (keiss) and beg for high fives.
Back up stairs to knock out those two classes that got re-scheduled. Same lesson as the previous 6th grade classes, so no prep needed. Students' behavior is similar, shitty.
Today is the first day of my after-school advanced English class. This is the one class I'm really excited about. I've chosen some of the best students in the school and we'll be reading books and watching the movie version of the book. We started 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' today, and I think the kids are really going to enjoy the class.
Finished the class up, blogged more than I have in the past 2 months, and now I'm walking out the door to the gym.
Come back tomorrow for some more answers to Korea's most important questions.
Again, I'd like to point out that there are even better blogs to check out! Here are the links
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Sunday, April 22, 2012
badger blogging blitz Day 0
I'm returning to my crappy blog this week to join my fellow badger teachers in a blogging blitz. We'll be discussing a few interesting topics each day, and giving our perspective on life in Korea. We might also add additional stories that we find unique and have sculpted our time in the ROK. At the bottom I'll link to each of their blogs, and I encourage you to visit theirs because they're very good writers and usually have a witty thing or two to say.
Here's your Badgers starting line-up!!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Here's your Badgers starting line-up!!
Julia Bass
Emily Gaynor
David Klug
Zach McLeod & Liz Wansley
Matt Marx
Soren Nieminen
Friday, February 10, 2012
few photos
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| In Guri. Friends are stuffed and struggling to drink. |
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| John. |
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| Oshkosh |
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| Dorian |
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| view from my window |
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| controversial food |
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| Melanie and Wonjong |
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