Megteacher

That is what the students call me. No Miss or Ms., just a melodic sounding Megteacher. I have grown to like the sound of it. I have been a teacher at Swaton Language School for kids for thirteen days and have observed many things with regards to Korean education and culture. 

My school is on the 4^th floor of a modern building in downtown Cheongju. Outside of the elevator, you leave your outdoor shoes in a cupboard and swap them for some swank old man slippers. Behind the glass door of Swaton, a friendly receptionist greets the parents and students as they shuffle in before the 9:30am morning bell. 

 Kindergarten

The mornings at Swaton consist of Kindergarten from 9:30am-2: 30pm. There are forty students that occupy 5 classrooms and are divided on the basis of age and ability. The classrooms, appropriately named Brown, Boston (Boston University), Julliard, MIT and Harvard plant a subtle seed in the student’s minds of what their intended goals should be for the far future. The students who attend Swaton come from very fortunate upbringings. Families who have enough money to send their children to English school opt for schools like Swaton instead of sending them to Korean public school kindergarten.

 I have a newfound respect and admiration for Kindergarten teachers across the globe. Though the children at Swaton are Kodak cute, it can feel more like babysitting then teaching. Though the classes only run for forty minutes, an accomplishment in some of the classrooms can be to get a student to sit in his/her chair for the entire time. It can be frustrating as well because when you are aggravated and want to discipline them it is difficult. The Korean teachers can quickly resort to their Korean language and reprimand the students. And they listen (quite quickly might I add.). However, their English skills are very basic so using phrases like “if you don’t listen or be quiet you will be sent to the teacher’s room” really has no meaning. I have found that being quiet with my arms crossed is the most effective method for the students to realize that “Megteacher is mad.” Or “Look, Megteacher no talk.” For the most part, though, the Kindergarten students listen pretty well as they understand at a young age how serious a proper education is in Korea. Money is not spent on designer clothes or fancy cars; education is valued more than any material possession that fills a closet or a fancy car that can be shown off outside a dinner party. Though I am all smiles when 2:30pm rolls around, I do enjoy the younger kids and find their energy and uncontaminated souls to be refreshing. They are a constant reminder of innocence and the simple joys of life.

Elementary

My afternoons consist of students between the ages of nine-twelve who come to English academy after an arduous day at regular private school. The students have a more extensive English vocabulary and have begun to learn tenses as well as ideas and concepts associated with the English language. I prefer teaching the older students as the 1.5 hours spent with the students are more rewarding. Not to mention more is accomplished in the classroom.  The students are fascinated with New York, Obama, Angelina Jolie, pizza and Brad Pitt. The ever so tactful students were particularly interested in my freckles. Half my arm was exposed during class last week once the heat was turned back on in the school. Some of the students noticed the “dots” that dazzled my arm. I tried to explain to them that the sun causes orange spots to appear on my skin. They looked rather confused so I rolled my sleeve up to show them that my entire arm was covered with these orange specs. Well fear not, the reaction from the students was similar to telling the students I had some kind of contagious disease. I felt a bit insecure about my doting dots but I soon recovered. Thick skin is sometimes necessary here.

 I have to give the students credit as their days are filled with school, piano lessons, English lessons, studying and an occasional computer game before their heads hit the pillow. The Koreans are very ambitious and have a very strong work ethnic. I know many nine year olds back in the states who could certainly benefit from a semester abroad here in Korea.

I am happy overall with my teaching situation. My days and hours of work vary and my work week is never longer than 30 hours. Though I am just a baby to the profession, teaching has proven to be a rewarding experience. I am teaching students a skill that will be useful for any future endeavor and will potentially help them succeed in whichever profession they choose to pursue.

 My only complaint about teaching is that these schools are run very similarly to any business. No student can ever receive below a “B” and comments on monthly report cards can only be positive and praise the students for their hard work. The school does not want to lose any business so it sometimes feels like our profession is belittled to protect the school’s image. But, I am not here long enough to add my two cents about the way things work.

 Til later…