First Week, DONE!

I just finished my first week of teaching here in Daejeon, South Korea!  It was exhausting, but also very fun.  Here's what my schedule looks like:

7:00     English Level 3
8:00     Break
10:00   English Level 3
11:00   Religion
12:00   Break
3:20     Phonics 1
4:05     Into Grammar 1
4:20     English Time A1
4:35     English Time A3
5:05     English Time B3
5:20     English Time B1
5:35     Into Grammar 2
6:05     English Time D2
6:20     English Time D3

It's almost like a university schedule in some ways, with random breaks throughout the day.  Fridays we only teach classes in the morning.

I already love my students.  They are so fun!  The junior classes are just like every other elementary and middle school class I've ever taught; kids are kids no matter where you go or what language they speak.  Something I am not used to, however, is teaching adults.  It is a completely new experience for me to be in charge of a class where I am the youngest person in the room.  Despite this, I've found it to be very rewarding to work with grown-up students.  You can have interesting conversations and be taught be them even as you are learning.  I have definitely taken advantage of conversation time to learn more about Korean culture, which I believe serves a dual purpose as the students must search for and practice new vocabulary as they try to answer my questions.  Another neat thing about the adults is their welcoming spirit and hospitality.  I have already had the opportunity to try several local treats due to the generosity one of my level three classes, and I have plans with a couple other students to take a mountain hiking trip soon!

It was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka dot English Classroom!

The classrooms at the Daejeon Institute are small yet cozy, and I get my exercise climbing up four flights of stairs several times a day. In order to teach my Junior classes, I must travel to a second institute located in Kwanju, about a half hour bus ride away.

Apparently there was a miscommunication between the two.

So far I have been using my free time throughout the day to prepare for upcoming classes, call home, learn some Korean, and explore the city.  It's been cool.

Religion classes start up this week, more on that later!  Ciao for now!