So i know i've only been here for 1 month and about 2 1/2 weeks, but i thought it would be interesting to share some things that i have already, in this short amount of time, learned from being here. I'm sure that in a few more months, this list will be updated with even more random things that i'm learning. Enjoy!
2. You take what you can get-small victories are HUGE!! When my youngest class asked me in English if they could go to the bathroom, i wanted to have a party. It was amazing! Now there will (hopefully) be no more peeing in their pants!
3. A 'look' is worth a thousand words (in any language!). Facial expressions are universal. Even my youngest students get my looks. This is also true for actions. My kinder students don't know what 'run' really means, but they know how to 'run' when i'm chasing them around the classroom. So you teach actions and then they catch on to the words.
4. The Dutch might not be the cheapest people i know...have you ever seen a Korean teacher feeding frenzy? It's ruthless out there.
5. The way to a child's heart is stickers. My student's would run a marathon for stickers...if they could. It's great!
6. If you can't say it....sing it! I have realized that i need to put almost everything i teach to music. When we make a line at the door, i sing "Let's make a line, long and straight, let's make a line, long and straight" and it works wonderfully! And then they learn it, so the next time i stand by the door, they start humming along with me. Gotta sing!
7. The world is 3-D. I know that sounds obvious, but never did i realize it until i came to korea. When you're walking outside, you need to not only be looking to the left and right, when trying to find a place, you also need to be looking up...WAAAAY up! Buildings here are stacked with stores all the way to the 8th or 9th floor. So if you don't keep your head moving, you are bound to miss any place you're looking for.
8. Grandma doesn't mean what it used to. I'm talking about the notorious "hagimas" (older korean women) they're like the korean grandma's. But they're not your typical grandma. On the subway, if you're walking on, which usually you never do b/c you're getting "shoved" on, and there's an empty seat, you can't expect to get it because out of nowhere, a purse will come flying from behind you and land right on the seat. And then you'll know that you got
"hagima-d". I've seen this....these grannies are pro.
Korean culture is so interesting and i love learning about it and being surrounded by it. They've been doing things for like 5000 years. That seems like an unreal amount of time- Canada is a baby country in comparison. There is so much to experience and learn and it rocks to have that chance!
Until next time...
Konbae!
**konbae= cheers! **
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