SoKo is Fun

Last week I assigned my third grade class 301, homework. During introduction week, I told them that in the U.S. you leave school at the latest by 4pm unless you are involved in a club etc. They were all so shocked by this. So when my 301 class was misbehaving (i.e. hitting each other and not listening to me) I told them to write 7 sentences about the Korean school system and what they would change about it. Yes, most of the sentences were copied from other students but there was one paper that truly impressed me. I have typed it below..

“Most students in Korea have to be in academies until midnight. Also they don’t have enough time to play with friends. If they spend time without studying, they are sure to receive low scores. This means that they are imprisoned in their studies, just like slaves. Where is the freedom? Where is the student’s ability to think? Moreover, in this society students are only judged by exam scores. So parents and teachers say, ‘You must receive higher scores than other students.’ It’s driving us crazy. Each person has their own personality and abilities. But we can’t find a way to bring our abilities to into play. ‘Where’s the real education?’ We don’t have any power to change the system. But we have to remember one thing. Each of us has an individual dream, so education should give us the right way for us to make our dreams come true”
~Student 3131~

Wow, when I read this I could not believe it. In class way too many times I catch my students sleeping. If I were in school from 8am -12am, and woke up at 6am everyday out of fear of being late for class, I would probably sleep too.

For another class, as homework I had them write 5 sentences about anything. I got at least 5 papers saying “I love you teacher”…too funny!!!

On a lighter note, I asked my students today what sports they watch on TV, soccer and baseball were the most common answers. I then asked if they watched basketball, and would you believe that basket ball is not broad casted in South Korea. I was so shocked. I told my students that I was going to call the President of South Korea to have him change this immediately. LOL.

Well apart from work, the last few days have been AWESOME! I hung out some friends here on Friday night. Then on Saturday we went to a South African show thingie. It was pretty cool. Seeing the South African dancing, hearing poetry, and songs. While I was there I met some Haitians. Never thought I would meet a Haitian out here. It was pretty cool being able to speak creole.

All in all things are going really well! I think coming out here was the best decision I ever made! Thanks to all those who supported me!

~Ciao~