Ummm... where did the week go?
It's been one of those weeks where time has simply flown. Perhaps it's because I've been feeling a bit under the weather (result of rock-star lifestyle and working with filthy kids?), and spent a lot of time sleeping.....
Yesterday, I was napping in the "nurse's office" - which is basically two beds just outside the kindergarten class. The kindy class was inexplicably full of 4th graders and I was just drifting off to sleep when I got that "someone is looking at me" feeling. I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by about five little grade 4 girls who were wondering what I was doing there.
"Baginia sick?"
Yes, yes, Baginia is sick. But my students have this way of making me feel better.
It's quite unbelievable for me to see how they are advancing and how they are learning so quickly. When Chad taught here last year, he introduced certain routines that I have kept up. These routines, and adding just a *wee* bit each day has resulted in Kindergarteners who know all their colours and how to count to 20, Grade 1s who know all the big and little alphabet letters (keep in mind that Korea has a completely different writing system), Grade 2s who can read basic English words (like "dog", "cat", "big", "look"), Grade 3s and 4s who can follow verbal instructions, Grade 5s who can ask and answer questions and Grade 6s who can write sentences and even argue a point! Think of your own second language learning -- can you do any of these things in French? Spanish? Korean?
This is not because of me. This is because of them - and their enthusiasm towards English (thanks to Chad!), and a supportive school environment. This is the result of 2 to 3 hours of English instruction per week.... which is unfortunately not the case in most other public schools here. Nicola, for example, has over a thousand students in 3 different schools. How can they possibly benefit from her presence?
And well... am now looking forward to a weekend in Suncheon and/or Wando (if the weather holds - am NOT doing any more typhoon camping, thankyouverymuch!), and the countdown to Taiwan is really on! One week left!
Yesterday, I was napping in the "nurse's office" - which is basically two beds just outside the kindergarten class. The kindy class was inexplicably full of 4th graders and I was just drifting off to sleep when I got that "someone is looking at me" feeling. I opened my eyes to find myself surrounded by about five little grade 4 girls who were wondering what I was doing there.
"Baginia sick?"
Yes, yes, Baginia is sick. But my students have this way of making me feel better.
It's quite unbelievable for me to see how they are advancing and how they are learning so quickly. When Chad taught here last year, he introduced certain routines that I have kept up. These routines, and adding just a *wee* bit each day has resulted in Kindergarteners who know all their colours and how to count to 20, Grade 1s who know all the big and little alphabet letters (keep in mind that Korea has a completely different writing system), Grade 2s who can read basic English words (like "dog", "cat", "big", "look"), Grade 3s and 4s who can follow verbal instructions, Grade 5s who can ask and answer questions and Grade 6s who can write sentences and even argue a point! Think of your own second language learning -- can you do any of these things in French? Spanish? Korean?
This is not because of me. This is because of them - and their enthusiasm towards English (thanks to Chad!), and a supportive school environment. This is the result of 2 to 3 hours of English instruction per week.... which is unfortunately not the case in most other public schools here. Nicola, for example, has over a thousand students in 3 different schools. How can they possibly benefit from her presence?
And well... am now looking forward to a weekend in Suncheon and/or Wando (if the weather holds - am NOT doing any more typhoon camping, thankyouverymuch!), and the countdown to Taiwan is really on! One week left!
p.s. Check comments on the post just before this for a chance to win a trip to Korea!
posted by Ms Parker at
10:28 AM
2 Comments:
Nah... the week has flown by for me, too. I think in general time just sped up these past two weeks. Not that I am complaining. Getting to a weekend faster is always appreciated!
By
Jen @ Light Enough to Travel, at 7:17 PM
Trust Al to promote a contest. Doesn't he know that I suffer from the disease called "Lomas Luck"? (If it weren't for bad luck, we wouldn't have any at all) This week has been hell. Fingers crossed that next week can only get better. I'll keep you posted on Jacques' condition. He got to go to the vet for an enema today. In an hour he's going to the groomer's for a bath. I want your life. We'll trade, okay?
By
Anonymous, at 2:25 AM
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