I've hit the eight month mark (can you believe it?) and I just realized that I haven't said to much about what actually goes on at school here in Korea. It's a big difference from Canadian schools, I can tell you that much. And not just in what the kids are learning.
Here's the schedule of an average Korean child around 8 years old:
7 AM.....Wake up
8:30 AM....Go to school
9 AM.....School
1 PM.....Finish school (some of the kids end around 3 or 3:30)
2 or 4 PM.....Go to first after school academy
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8 PM to 10 PM.....Come home from academy (high school students don't get out of school until this time)
10 PM....Homework
11 to 1 AM.....Bedtime (this changes, depending on the student and the parents)
That means that my average student is coming to me with anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of sleep under their belt. Plus, they've probably been at school for 5 to 7 hours already. Which explains why they're so eager to play games and generally act up for most of my classes. I have a couple who will also randomly take naps during class. Feel a little sad yet?
My classes are pretty easy though. I usually teach for about 45 minutes. Class starts with hellos and some general discussion and then we move on to reading from their books. They also have workbooks to practice their writing and reading skills. For the most part, they have it pretty easy in the class and they generally get their homework from the Korean teachers.
My classroom has a table with the students sitting in a U-shape around it. I have a whiteboard and that's it. It looks like any other small meeting room from back home, with my personal additions of posters and signs.
On a side note, I've been asked to write a series of articles for that newsletter I was telling you about. I have ideas for two of them, but I need a third one. What is something in Korea that you'd be interested in hearing about?
If you have any questions about anything, feel free to leave some!
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3 comments:
HOLY!!!! They go to school that late at night! I remember in high school I was in bed by 10...sheesh!!!
I know...sometimes there's kids walking home from high school while I'm going out for drinks with friends. I've seen toddlers up late too. Very very different.
Hey Chicky!! I love your blog and am so happy to hear how fabulous you are doing. Unfortunately I only rememeber to check back here every couple of months so your postings are always timely for me. Keep the blogs coming and your article for the foreign newsletter was great. What are you doing in China?? I can't believe it was almost a yr ago since I last saw you : ) Take care.
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