Hello!! 안녕하세요!!

So...Fluke wrote an amazing post about his first semester here, so I'm not-so-subtly copying his idea and writing about my first semester. Let me begin with 안녕하세요!! (Annyeonghasaeyo!!=hello!!)


Culture Shock
I'm not sure I really experienced it. I mean, a lot here is different, some parts are completely different, and other parts remind me of home, but I think I just adjusted over time to what initially seemed a little strange. I never felt like the culture of Korea was so different that I couldn't adjust. Preparing dinner on top of my washing machine and refrigerator are totally normal now. The bathroom becoming a showeroom--totally normal. Changing from my regular shoes to indoor shoes and wearing them all around the school--normal. Cars on the sidewalk--to be expected. Seeing signs in English everywhere and forcing myself to read the Hangul to practice--getting easier and I'm reading faster. Waving "HI!" to just about everyone still makes me smile. Getting stares for looking different--it's normal, but still awkward sometimes. Adding the word "maybe" to practically every sentence with a co-worker because it is more polite to be indirect than direct/to-the-point has become more natural. While it is frustrating at times, I catch myself adding "maybe" to conversations among friends when it is not unnecessary! Bowing to everyone older than me and saying hello--this is probably the habit that will take me the longest to adjust to when I go back home!


Teaching English...with a Co-Teacher???
Well, most of you know that I did not have a "Co-Teacher." I had a teacher who spoke hardly any English and therefore could never translate when necessary. Good news is that the class became my class!! All English instruction came from me. I planned all instruction and prepared 99% of the materials. I designed the activities or got inspiration from fellow English teachers in Korea. I had my own classroom management techniques. I was the teacher of English!! My "Co-teacher" essentially got paid to do nothing. BUT...I love the kids and I love my job. Honestly, I would so much rather be in complete control than having zero control like some other English teachers I know. I mean, I came to Korea to teach. I would not be doing so well here or be as happy if I was merely a puppet by the Korean English teacher. I know I will continue to grow as a teacher, but this first semester I definitely grew as a teacher.
 I only taught grade 5 so I really got to know my students and their personalities. I love teaching grade 5!!! The kids do not have the 6th grade attitude yet and they are adorable. I have a handful of students who are fluent in English and I love having a quick chat with them before/after class. I have students who love English class even though they are way below grade level in English. I love the students' smiles and excitement when a game/activity goes well. I like singing with them and having them practice their English fluency without them realizing it. I like the "Jennifer teacher! Jennifer teacher! How are you?" I love their responses to questions. Even though not all the students have the vocabulary to express their creativity in English, I know through their art, their projects and their oral responses, that quite a few of my students have an amazing sense of humor. One time, the target sentence was "What a nice car!" when looking at a part of a cartoon strip. A student said, "What a nice car! Let's steal it and go to Woobangland (the amusement park in Daegu)!"


Learning the Language
Hmm...where to start....basically-I know more than I did when I came here! However, I thought by this point I would know way more than I do. The reason is that learning Korean isn't crucial because in Daegu, there is English everywhere. I'll order my meal in Korean and then the cashier will say the English number back to me to make sure she understood! I'll say nae-il (tomorrow) and the person will say, "Tomorow? Ok." haha it's been really nice to have English menus and restaurant names, but so many more places would be possible if we knew more of the language. Reading it is one thing--understanding what we are reading is another.
I've learned some words from my kids! I learned the word for bathroom and how to say "I do not have." Of course, the later was in response to my question, "Where is your book?" haha. Other words I've picked up from hearing it so often or from friends sharing what they know how to say. All and all, I want to learn more Korean!


Last few comments...
I love Daegu and I love Korea ^^ I love meeting up with friends downtown. I love shopping in the subways. Oh, I love public transportation!!! I love traveling and exploring on the weekends. I love how my students call me "Je-ni-pa" or "Je-ni-pa Teacher." I love not saying "excuse me" and "sorry" every time I accidently bump into someone in a crowd because it's not part of the culture here. I love the Korean English teachers at my school who help me with whatever I need and who just come to my classroom to chat sometimes. I love when other teachers at my school have the courage to speak to me in English. (I never assume they speak English and I don't put them into what could potentially be an embarrassing language barrier experience). I love finding new restaurants and becoming a returning customer. I love seeing my students around Daegu and receiving the head bow with a "Oh, hello Jennipa." Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in Korea thus far. No, not everything has been easy. No, I was not a perfect teacher nor did I have the perfect co-teaching experience. But yes, I look forward to the next semester. Yes, I am so, so, so, so glad I came to Korea for this incredible teaching, learning, traveling, and personal growing experience it has become!!!