Hey Mom and Dad,
Okay, so I SURVIVED. I taught 6th, 7th and 8th graders and I cannot even describe the experience. Haha, my first lesson is introducing myself and all about me FOR 40 MINUTES! I do love talking about myself but for 40 minutes 4x/day I never want to mention another word about myself when I'm finished. They still think I am good friends with Justin Beiber and one of the boys said "are you a single lady like Beyonce?" haha, they think just because she sings "all the single ladies" that she is single. I had to reassure them that she is actually married and it is just a song but yes I am a single lady. haha.
Okay so part of Korean culture is bringing gifts to your co-teachers/principal/vice principal etc.
So I went to this bakery near me this morning and went a little crazy (i think it's because it was my first day of teaching) and I think i bought out the entire place. haha. I got donuts/korean breads/green tea loaves for all the teachers and then I got some cookies/chocolates and nicer gifts for my main korean co-teacher who has helped me out (the one whose house i had to stay at and sleep in his 12 year old son's bed!) haha and the principal i got gift wrapped chocolates and the Vice principal I got some weird cookies that were good. We have to present it with two hands and do a little bow. I got so awkward doing it but I gave it to them and it's all done now! they were very thankful. but of course they wanted to give in return, so the next thing you know I'm eating sweet potatoes and some random type of black coffee with the teachers. Haha, I swear each day I never know what it's going to turn out to be and I love not knowing. Part of the adventure. Things are far from routine here which i'm sure a routine will develop soon but the days are flying by since I am teaching now.
The first class was 2nd graders (7th grade). they refer to middle school as 1st 2nd and 3rd graders which totally confuses me but I am getting the hang of it. I was able to co-teach with my favorite teacher Mrs. Kim (she helps me SO MUCH) she translates and writes things down for me. I really need to learn more korean when I find time. So my power point about me didn't work the first 2 classes due to software problems so there I was carrying around my new mac laptop showing the students pictures of my family/NYC/america/soccer etc. they acted like it was Christmas morning the way they were "ooooohing and ahhhing." their jaws drop when I tell them my last name is Catanzarita but they call me Teacher Sheila so that's all they need to know. so I talked about myself/where i come from/my family/etc for the first 15-20 minutes then I have them write down ANY questions to ask me. The first question in EVERY single class today was "do you have a boyfriend" they are hilarious. Dad---when I put your picture up all the girls go "OOOOH HANDSOME!" haha and they call you beautiful mom, and the boys love Sara and Mary. I told them you are going to try to visit in Spring and that almost made the room explode of yells and cheers. haha. They will soon figure out I am not that entertaining as they believe! or interesting.
anyways the first class was very active, the older kids are a bit "cooler" but once I call on them or go around the room to make sure they are writing things down they get the hang of things. It's SUCH a division of students of how well they know English or not. Some students know it SO well and carry on convos with me when others don't even know how to respond when i say Hello or ask their names. I have a few great students (mostly girls) who sit in the front row of my classes today and help me out.
I finished off class with them writing things down about themselves and reading them to me so I could get to know them as well. Then I played Hangman with english words they had to guess and that really got everyone involved since there could be a winner.
I taught with 3 out of 4 of the other English teachers today but it's not co-teaching yet. It's literally just me being the main teacher and them translating stuff if the kids don't understand. I've never talked so slow in my life (you'd be proud since you are always telling me to slow down!) it's pouring rain here, and I work til 4:20 then I am heading home to meet the internet/cable guy AT LAST! I got my Alien registration card and multiple visa so Japan looks like it may happen in 2 weeks! woohoo. I'm heading to my friend Melissa's birhday dinner and out to celebrate tonight, so should be fun! She's the big 2-5. Crazyyy. oh p.s. in Korea you are a year older because you are considered "1 year" when you are born. I DONT WANT TO BE 24!
Okay I'm being offered chocolate by the girl who sits next to me AGAIN. They literally feed me every second so I better go. There is supposed to be a typhoon to sweep through here but apparently it's "normal." haha.
Talk soon! Love, Sheil
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