Okay, first, I had an open class in Friday. Which to anyone who has not worked in korea, an open class is basically an evaluation. I am not entirely sure how important the outcome would be had I wanted to stay working in Korea. I had chosen to throw my entire self into this lesson. I wanted to teach the best I could, but I try to do that with every lesson anyway. But I had no intention to do a bullshit lesson, like I have seen often in Korea, where they practise the lesson with their kids several times before they do it for the evaluation.
So it turns out I was to be evaluated by three random teachers who work in the locxal area at different school, not sure what that proves. Yes they could give me some helpful criticism, but they would all have their own way of doing things as each teacher does...not sure what that was all about. Anyway I had to hang around waiting to teach because the observers were late. Then when I started I was a little flustered and got things a little messed up in order. I pulled it back together though and as far as I am concerned I taught a fairly good lesson. The kids seemed to like it and from what my co-teacher said, she liked it too.
However my observers were a little more reserved about it. They did not care for my game and felt that I was not teaching certain activities in the proper way. I listened to their comments and took some of it in. However some of what they said was just theoretical bullshit that I have cast aside myself because in practise I attempt to tailor my lessons for my students and teach them in methods which work for them. But I just let them give ne their comments rather than argue about it.
They then turned on my co-teacher and went to rip him apart for not having participated. But as far as I am concerned the 6th grade teacher does not need to speak English. He more or less cannont speak English, or so it would seem. But I can make the students understand me and he keeps them in line. It works for us.
Anyway, I am glad that is out of the way. I will keep some things in mind of what was said. But I am leaving soon and the outcome will have no bearing upon my job.
Socialisation or lack there of.
I have spoken of this before, that I do not really have a social life here. However it has now reached a point that I am becoming a recluse. I no longer try. A friend of mine seems to be disappointed by my attitude, but I have become quite comfortable with a solitary life and I should be fine till the end of my contract. Now I am not saying that I want to live like this forever, rather that there is little that interests me now, here. Normally I will meet up with him at the weekend for a chat and a meal. That's great for me. Plus given where I live going out and getting home have to be done with strict time limits otherwise I must pay for a room or a taxi, neither of which I really want to do most of the time.
Yesterday he wanted me to go clubbing in Busan and basically just stay up all night and then take the first bus home. When I was in uni, sure maybe. But I HATE clubbing and I really didn't want to lose a whole day and fuck up my sleeping habits. Yeah, I know, not adventurous. But, well, I just don't care anymore.
I will wait to re-ignite my social spirit once I am in the US. I don't think I really have the energy anymore for it here. Well that's it, catch you later.
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