Well, more like the Korean won.
Last last Friday, on Halloween, one of the head Korean teachers took me aside and directly told me that a few of the students from my elementary classes want to quit the hagwon because of me. She said to me, "They think the material is too difficult and they are complaining that there is too much work." Well, surprise, janius, of course if I assign them homework, and they don't want to do it, they're going to whine and complain saying that they don't want to go to this hagwon anymore. Of course, they are going to run to you and say that they don't want to do the homework, and complaining that I'm giving them too much. Think about it, why are they only complaining about the classes that I assign them homework for? The classes that I teach Reading to have no homework, but you don't see them complaining. Hmm, I wonder why.
Now here's the funny part. I am not the one who decided on the elementary students' homework. The two Korean teachers chose the book and gave me very specific instructions about how much we have to cover in class, and then what pages are assigned for homework. And, they specifically told us that if the students do not complete their homework, then they have to stay after and they cannot leave until they finish. When Judy and I first heard this, we said, "That's a lot of homework! All the kids are going to have to stay after!" But the Korean teachers just insisted that it was necessary.
Also, that Friday was the first day that I actually was strict about and enforced this policy about staying late. I'm normally pretty lenient about it, but it's just been weeks of them all not doing any of their homework. If their books are empty, then I'm the one who gets in trouble for not making them do their homework, so I made them all stay late to finish. And well well, what happens? The kids run directly to their Korean teacher and complain. But hey, I guess it worked because she comes to me and this is what she tells me. "You have to just go easy on some of the kids (specifically the ones who are complaining). They are just not as motivated as some of the other students. It's okay if they don't do all their homework, just go easier on them." WHAT???
She later goes on to tell me that I don't really understand because I'm not a Korean teacher. Of course I understand, part of her duties include calling the parents, making sure the parents are satisfied with the education they're paying for, maintaining the reputation of the school, and to keep the students in the school. I do understand. But that's NOT NOT NOT what I came to Korea for. It's not part of my duties as an English Teacher here. I did not come to Korea to help a hagwon make money; I came to teach children English.
Anyways, that happened last last Friday and I was quite peeved. Two of the students actually quit and to be honest, the class is running a lot smoother. I haven't been easier on any kids in particular, but then again, I haven't been making any students stay after, even though they don't finish their homework. I'm not really sure how to run my classroom then...
Sorry it's been awhile. I've been really busy with studying for GREs and work and trying to have a social life. I took my Psychology subject test today and I'm really disappointed. Knowing that I couldn't bring all my college PSC class notes to Korea to study, I bought a Kaplan prep book thinking that it would be enough. So I thoroughly studied that book, but to my dismay, when test time came, there was so much information on the test that the book did not cover. It was a lot of information that I recall covering in my PSC classes, but I didn't have any of that information to study. At least not with me here in Korea. So, I don't think I did as well as I wanted to on that test, which is a bummer, because then I don't really know what to do about next year. I still am going to apply to grad schools, but if I didn't do that well, my chances of getting in to grad school go down...
Well, I'm exhausted and tomorrow I plan to start running again. It's been awhile because I've been so busy studying and eating junk food. Haha... but definitely want to start running and getting some exercise before the rain and snow come. SNOW! SNOW! I can't wait!
How is everyone doing back at home? I miss you all. I've updated some pictures... Oh! My bruise... I got it because I was too lazy to walk from my bed to the countertop to get my hairtie. So I kept on reaching thinking that I could reach the edge of the counter without getting off my bed. It was dark and I thought I got the edge, but nope, just missed and fell flat. It was kind of funny; I guess you had to be there. Oh, and the hairtie was around my wrist. But I'm all right, it'll go away. Sorry there aren't that many interesting pictures - haven't been able to go anywhere too exciting. Hopefully more adventures to come! Enjoy!
LOVE
