October 2011
31 posts
On the symbolic nature of pumpkins...and stuff.
I consider it a very good sign that the only ‘real’ frustration I’ve run into with my host family so far has been over how to carve a pumpkin.
Yes. That’s what I just said.
My host mom grows pumpkins in her garden and she has been saving one for the past couple weeks for me to carve for Halloween. So so sweet of her to do that. (Which is why this story makes me look like...
Students, please don't tell your parents.
This is the last week of the month, which for my students means that it’s movie week. For my highest level first years, I always let a few students who come to class before everyone else pick the three movie choices that the class will vote on.
Today, the four usual girls were clustered around my movie cabinet, discussing options.
Excited, one girl skipped over to me with a DVD in hand and...
Gifts.
My host brother just walked into my room to give me something he made for me at school today:
…A beaded strand of DNA cell phone charm.
Adorable. And slightly strange. But I love it.
I'd like to introduce you to my host sister.
Transcript from her test (above):
“Written myself
Hello!
My name is Chung- So- Young. I’m fifteen years old. I’m going to introduce about me. My favorite character is Hello Kitty. So I have so many kitty goods. And my hobby is watching Disney movies. Last weekend, I saw Tangled. It was so funny! My dream is famous and kind doctor. I want to cure my grandmother’s leg....
Letting students free-write is the greatest thing...
I am having the time of my life giving interview tests to students. Quite traumatic and horrible for them I’m sure (..kidding), but I love it.
During one of my favorite student’s interview, I couldn’t stop laughing. Sarah is one of craziest, bubbliest (…?) people I have ever met and I love her to death. I asked her what she likes to do, to which she responded REALLY...
Little victories.
One student’s start to her written self-introduction (part of their midterm test that I’ve been giving this week):
“Hello! Elizabeth teacher <3. I’m You Jin. I like talking with my friend during forgin teacher class time. But You are class is sistem and fun than before! HaHaHa. So I stop that I talk with my friends. :) “
(I love that her first self-proclaimed...
Uh oh.
They warned us in orientation that we might lose some of our English skills/ability while we are here in Korea.
Proof that this is true: tonight’s conversation between Lisa (another ETA here in Korea) and I. (Talking about how my school sometimes is a little too protective in their care of me).
[5:18:51 AM] Elizabeth White:I know its protective fondness or whatever, but it can turn into...
This made my day.
One of my favorite students (nickname: Alphabet) was talking to me before class. (The conversation went something like this:)
Alphabet: Teacher, boyfriend…you have?
E: Yes, I have a boyfriend!
Alphabet: Ohhh!! What his name?
E: Stephen.
A: What?
E: Stephen.
A: Oooh, Stevie Wonder! Very good!
-dying of laughter-
A: How is his ability?
E: Huh? Ability?
A: Yes. Ability. In...
Things that made me laugh today.
While talking about American music genres, a picture of composer John Williams comes on the screen. My girls start to get excited and start yelling something. Not understanding, I ask, “What?”. Then I hear what they had been saying: “Teacher! KFC!”….
John Williams:
KFC’s Colonel Sanders:
Hahahaha, nice.
Thing #2:
The “monsters” class was...
Field trip with the monkeys
Today was our school’s annual fall field trip. The three grade levels were divided into three separate trips, so at the urging of my co-teachers, I went with the first graders (the equivalent of American 6th grade) on their field trip. I had a blast! We loaded into six different tour buses (can you imagine taking 200 students somewhere by bus? Ye gads!) and headed off to the countryside for...
2 tags
“Teacher. I am goddess. You too. We are godesses.”
– Particularly confident student today
