Economics: The class that snoozes.

I do, however, have had issues with sleeping.  (Not my own, but, the students.)  These students really do not get any sleep at night. Unlike their American counterparts who forgo sleep to post every movement they make on Facebook, the Korean students stay up and study like robots into the wee hours of the morning which forces them to take cat naps during my lessons.  Which doesn't look good for me.  Some of the more strict Korean teachers will have sleeping students stand in the back of class with their book open to the page.  I do not want to resort to this method of 1800s style teaching so I am going to have to try another approach. I tried pleading with them to get into partners to work on their worksheet so they can talk each other awake--I told them to talk more!--"don't be so quiet, it's not a test..." Bonnie said I would regret those words one day.

Of the two classes I teach, it is really just one I have trouble keeping awake.  The other class, which the American co-teacher says he has a harder time with because all they do is "goof around," is much easier for me and I get better feedback when I ask questions or want a student to explain an answer.  But the class that sleeps on me is very tough, my Cooperating Teacher says I have to do something to keep them awake, tell them a joke or something--which I do ALL THE TIME but they aren't receptive because they are comatose.  So, after the students come back after their American field trip, I am going to try a new approach to keep the students awake and engaged...cross your fingers for me!  I will explain the results in a few weeks.

After lunch this week, I have been doing counseling sessions with students from my Home Room.  I am inviting three students at a time to come visit me for about twenty minutes to discuss either what they have on their mind or to ask them questions I have ready.  None of the groups ever start the conversation and most told me that it would be easier if I would just start with my questions.  The reason I have questions is fun, actually, I have an old friend who teaches at Jennings Elementary School in St. Louis.  (Hi Tanya!)  Tanya asks her class the same question(s) I ask my students and then we swap answers and share them with the students.  I thought this would be a great exercise in cultural differences, cultural exchanges and seeing life through someone else's eyes for both the Korean and American students.

Counseling session: Tuesday

Counseling session: Thursday

Counseling session: Friday

So far, the students have been receptive to the exchange.  I get seemingly honest answers from the Korean students and it is a good experience for me to be introduced to each student individually.  Last week we discussed the extent and stress of their education and what it takes to get into one of the top three schools.  When I exchanged the answers with Tanya's class, her students were very surprised that anyone would take school that seriously, especially how some students go so far as to commit suicide if their college plans do not pan out.  I found this funny because that is exactly how I would have felt if I were them.  Tanya's class discussed issues such as bullying, growing up in low socioeconomic backgrounds, getting enough meals at home, etc.  I think the Korean students were surprised to hear about some of the American students issues.  So I will keep doing the exchange, I think it is good for them to hear about life on the other side of the world.  I hope this exchange will get the Koreans to think critically a bit, something they are not trained to do in school here.  Many of the Korean students want to study abroad in other countries so the exchange can open up their world a bit and maybe be more confident in their decision to travel.



To end this week's blog I have some advice.  Not any advice I would have come to on my own, necessarily, but invaluable advice I have honed from my hours of watching 48 Hours Mystery on CBS.com.  You see, I can only get a few stations online over here in South Korea.  Most of the major networks have blocks on watching anything American online overseas.  A major bummer, as you can imagine.  But CBS is available.  Sadly, CBS is available.  I NEVER watch CBS at home.  There are no CBS shows I obsess over and none of it's comedies are funny.  Two and a Half Men?  Mike and Molly?  No thanks.  And do people still watch Survivor??  But, I have found a certain respite in 48 Hours Mystery.  It's mostly tabloid trash without the famous people and that's probably why I find it halfway viewable.  So, in closing, I will impart on you my newfound knowledge on how to either 1. Stay alive or 2. Not get caught if you happen to need to off someone.

-Do not live in Las Vegas.  Just don't do it.
-Do not be any sort of "entertainer" but, mainly, don't be a stripper.
-Do not date a girl who is dating other men or women.
-Do not be a woman with more than one ex-husband.
-Do not cheat on your spouse.
-Do not let your spouse die if you happen to be divorcing them at the time.
-Do not shop for all the supplies you are going to use to get rid of someone at a store where there is CCTV.
-If someone takes out a life insurance plan on you--be very wary.
-Do not up your life insurance plan and then go around bragging about it.
-Do not have crazy teenage girls with psychotic rage problems.
-Do not have a double life consisting of being a PTA mom by day, escort by night.
-Do not marry people who have easy access to poisons and the like.  Like doctors.
-Or cops.  Do not marry cops.
-Do not live anywhere remote.  You're asking for trouble.


I'm sure I could go on.  But that's what comes to mind.  I'm not saying that any of these items for sure are going to get you into trouble--just steer clear of them if you don't want to end up on CBS.