The Moment of Truth: After School English Class

It wasn't until about 5 minutes after class had already started, as I was standing in front of the classroom greeting everyone, that I finally decided what we were going to do that day. It was Friday afternoon, I was completely exhausted, and the idea of going into my afterschool class and trying to force…

An Overwhelming Fondness

Yesterday afternoon during one of my free periods I was sitting in the office working on some lessons for today and going over the grade one speaking test grades. It was a very hot day so we had the windows open to let in any breeze that might be passing through and everyone's little desk…

ESL Psychaitrist Game: “You Should…”

Its name is Psychiatrist game. I genuinely don’t remember if I thought of this activity on my own, or if I read about it online somewhere. Either way I’m sure that it already exists and I’m even more certain that once enough time has passed I will be using it again with a different name…

The Virtues of EPIK: English Program in Korea

For anyone thinking of coming to Korea to teach, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed by sheer number of options that exist. There are hagwons where you can teach adults at night, or kindergarten during the day, or businessmen early in the morning. There are public schools where your classes will probably have at…

Reasons Why Monday Isn’t Going to be Bad

It's currently Sunday night a bit later than I should be awake given that I need to be up bright and early tomorrow morning. Mondays are not my easiest days. I have two of my most difficult classes on top of the fact that no one wants to do much thinking at all on Monday's,…

First Class Without A Korean Co-Teacher

    So the protocol here is that all of the native English teachers have another Korean English teacher from the school in the room when we are doing our lessons. Their degree of involvement from any point after that completely depends on your situation. I feel incredibly lucky to have the co-teachers that I have,…

Culture Shock in Korea

(Warning, this is more just a stream of consciousness that found its way out of my brain rather than a cohesive thought.)   In a very bizarre turn of events my culture shock in Korea hasn't been from the food or the language. Most of what has happened, has happened somewhat according to my expectations. I…

First Day of Teaching Middle School in South Korea

I did it. I officially survived my first week of teaching middle school in South Korea. Luckily for me that week was only two full days, but regardless I survived. I’m sitting here on Friday night writing this, thoroughly exhausted, and feeling very happy. I’m not on a mountain top, and I’m not in a…