First Teaching Day

Today was the first day I taught English. It did not go so well. In fact, If I did not confuse the kids more I would be surprised. I had NO idea what the book was even trying to do sometimes. I would read the passage not understanding what it was trying to question, tell them one thing and then go on to see in the next example that I was totally wrong. Once you look the lesson over and work through it yourself, you can see what they were trying to teach. But understanding the format is hard and foreign and trying to do so on the fly is impossible. I believe that even if I memorized the whole book, I would be lost. I am convinced if I don't improve significantly and quickly I will be fired.

Chelsea (my roommate) and her friend, my co-worker, Greg tell me that all teachers go through this experience and that it is impossible for me to get fired. I hope they are right, because I am going to test that maxim.

My last class was only three boys and they were the most advanced class I taught today. They were by far my favorite class in that I actually think I might have taught them a little. At least conceptually, if not grammatically. But the rest of the day was a wash.

After my last class (incidentally this is my easiest day of the week, tomorrow is brutal with only and twenty min break in a 8+ work day) Greg walked me home and took me out for a form of Korean BBQ. During dinner he let me in on his past and gave me some helpful advice about how to cope with dignity. Apparently my distress was very visible. He also invited me to a philosophy group that meets once a week in Changwan. Seems like fun if I can ever get some stability.