Since I live in Gwangan it takes 40 minutes to get to Nampo-dong YBM via subway so it was imperative that I leave by 9am and hit the book in order to prep for my class. As it turned out I have a 2 hour class with only one student. I finished at 12 and had lunch at T.G.I.F with a good friend of mine and my wife. After this I had to prepare for another 3 hours of Jr. Kids classes!
I am happy though because I am back in the comforts of YBM for at least Saturday.
Let me just share this too-I have done my best to show you the truths about the educational systems I have found in Korea. I like the kids on Saturday because they are older and at least can show proper respect. They don't do a lot. Many of them sit there and are half asleep, some are playing on their phones and others yet may be whispering to their friends some private joke/conversation in Korean but its not disruptive to me. Others are attentive. Some even have asked me questions. If I had been able to have a clear choice I never would have picked elementary kids for my daily job but those were only the cards I had dealt to me.
YBM made a mistake by letting me go. The new guy knows this and is doing his best to get me back and later I can work full time if I play it right. I like kids but I hate disciplining, babysitting and teaching them when they are not showing any interest. A comment was written about me being God, a crackhead or anything in between and frankly it doesn't matter to kids.-I beg to differ I consider myself a professional I don't do anything in the classroom (like say shut up, show up late, or do anything else that could be construed as a negative response) that would warrant bad behavior. Kids are not educated properly. Their parents truly don't teach them manners. To me they grow up ignorant and naive about many things.
Whatever your background was or is in Korea it isn't similar to mine. I also learned spanish and I already mentioned I know the basic commands in Korean. I also implemented my knowledge of Korea in my lesson plans.
ex. I wrote some Korean words in Korean on the board and they actually woke up for 10 minutes, they laugh and showed some interest. This of course is coming from my Saturday students.
I enjoy teaching them and whatever my bias is about kids I would gladly teach Saturday at YBM all the time!
I don't hate kids but I want everyone to realize that their are many sides to a story and there are also some painful truths that we can all learn. Its all about building some perspectives. Hate is an awful word to use but its only bad if you act on it. I hate the ideals behind many of the programs specifically the educational policies in this country.
If I am complaining its because its a big part of my everyday life. I think its important once again to try not to attack my situations because there is no true understanding you haven't walked in my shoes and sometimes maybe you can be glad because of that.
My post back in the saddle again it means I am back where I liked my life before I had to leave YBM I have an opportunity to grow and maybe get my old job back and that makes me happy.
It was also Parents day so my enrollment for the day was really low. I went to Gumi later that night and visited with her parents, went shopping on Sunday morning and rode KTX to Gupo station for the first time since I got married and went to Seoul for a quick honeymoon.
Since getting back in Busan I have been busy helping my wife prepare for her classes tomorrow Yikes another run another week here we go...
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