I am currently teaching winter classes while the students are on break so this means I am being a English teaching babysitter for 3 hours a day and then I get to have the rest of the afternoon to myself. I am also one of only a few teachers at school so it has been a nice break up of the same old song and dance. My students are as cute as ever, I never thought I would adore them as much as I do. The hugs, smiles, little chocolate candy gifts and pure joy of being praised for a job well done is almost too much to handle sometimes. These days I really feel like I deserve being called TEACHA! when the challenging games and activities I play are a big hit and my 1st graders are speaking better English than most adults in Korea.
It's amazing that I have been in Seoul for almost 6 months now. I have learned so much about culture, life and traveling it is immeasurable. Now I suppose comes the hard part, figuring out what comes next. I will not be returning stateside for a few years if I can help it and therefore the planning of the next adventure must commence. I am loving Asia right now and would love to be apart of the exciting times ahead for this part of the world. Thats the best thing about life, I really can do whatever I want. That little ditty from my high school counselor has never felt so true.
To anyone recently graduated from university and coming up short on the job front, I highly recommend throwing caution to the wind and moving to Korea (South Korea, be prepared to answer the ignorant question "which one?" if you decide to) to teach English. It is a fulfilling job, comfortable lifestyle (culturally and financially), loads of fun and will open your mind in several ways. [Please feel free to comment or email me with any questions about how to do it - there are so many options and pros and cons to them all. It's not AS difficult as you might think but you do need to be determined, and you will be rewarded ten-fold.]
Enough gibber jabber, who gives a shit what I think anyway:) I am heading south for a 3 week holiday to sun myself in T-minus 11 days and I'm already gone baby...
Much love - here, there and everywhere!
~~~Maybe it's too much kimchi but KPOP has finally invaded my itunes and I don't care who knows it, Rain's moves turn me on! Do it, divulge your guilty pleasure and Enjoy:)
Being a teacher is a very fulfilling job. Even the small things you've taught to your students are very rewarding. I appreciate the Koreans for giving an effort to study English. My former Korean student whom I used to teach ESL online was very interested in learning English. I had one though who was not really interested but was only forced to study because of his parents.
ReplyThanks for the comment Shell!
ReplyYes, the korean culture is very competitive when it comes to learning English. It is compulsory to learn it in public schools and there a tons of special schools called "hagwons" where students will spend several hours after regular school hours studying English. It really is amazing to think about the time, energy and money Korean's spend on learning English.
My Korean friend here is trying to put up a small ESL online school. I know it entails a lot of procedures, processes, paper works (for legalities), and setting up an office, but I'm gonna try to help him because teaching is also my passion. I hope this will be realized soon.
ReplyThanks Ellie.