I now know how all of my teachers felt...

I am officially finished with Day 2 of teaching! I only have two more days this week, and the I am attending a conference this weekend as well as resting up because the rest of the team (40 people) are getting here this weekend. So far it has been very quiet with only 40 students and 4 teachers. I love everyone that I am working with, and we have a lot of fun with each other as well as being able to help each other get better at teaching.

Orientation went really well. I was in Class B which is the lower level English class. It was really interesting to talk with the kids and learn a little bit more about the Korean culture. They get to choose their own American/ English names, and apparently get to change them constantly as well! All day long the boys and girls ask everyone else if they like their name, and ask for ideas of what to change their name to. One kid is named Pooh after Winnie the Pooh...He's obviously been to Disneyland! Another kid asked me if he could change his name from Rio to Edward. When I asked if it was because of Twilight, he blushed, and totally avoided the question. It's hilarious to me that they can do this!! So I pretty much have to memorize at least one new name almost daily. Another thing the kids are great at is sucking up. If they don't want to do something, they will say "OHHH teacher you are so beautiful!!!" Even the boys do this. They are also amazed by the tall and big footed teacher who teaches with me. They keep sneakily putting their feet next to his to see how long his feet are.

The first day was very interesting. Most of the kids are very very quiet in the beginning. If I ask for volunteers to answer a question, not even one will volunteer, even when I threatened to take away points! And when I called on students they literally whispered! It is getting better now. Also, one of my students named Julie kept falling asleep. This is like really really bad in Korean culture so I had to kick her out of class and tell her not to come back. Next time, I will have to make her stand during the entire class (1 hour). That will be interesting! Overall, they are very good at learning English and are eager to learn it as well. While they do try to be manipulative, it is apparently because Korean parents do not discipline, so the teachers are the only ones who do. I'm trying really hard to show them love as well as being strict. They even ask me if I hate them when I give them a homework assignment or make them switch seats. Hopefully they will see that I love them as well as want them to succeed in learning English!

My second day was much more smoothly run, and the students are soaking up the English. They are now more comfortable with asking me questions, and joking around with me as well. I am starting to see all of their different personalities, and love each of them for the individuality. I'm excited to see how God uses me, and them to teach me as well!