Interesting Read...If Your Interested That Is

I found this article written by Brain in Jellanamdo pretty interesting and accurate.

It Korea's plan to hire non-native speakers who speak English to fill the roles of the English teacher in the classroom. Confusing right? Although not a bad idea, Brian brings up a couple of good points, as do the commentors that follow his post.

Here is a preview:

Having seen the way native speakers are currently used in the schools, I have to say that having more non-native speakers isn't necessarily a bad idea. The point of having native speakers in the classroom is to give students exposure to foreign cultures and to give them a chance to use the English they've learned. However, since there is some resistance to introducing foreign cultures into the classroom, since students are reluctant to speak English in class, since productive skills are deemphasized in favor of teaching toward tests, and since foreign teachers' classes are presented as goof-off time, I'm not sure they're such a wise investment.

I Did It Myself!

In Korea, being technologically smart, they have an automatic bill pay machine at the bank. You don't send in your bills like you do in America. You go to the bank to pay your bills. You just insert your bills into the machine, press a few buttons, swipe your bank card, then presto! Bills paid!

This machine, no matter how simple it may be to the average Korean 5 year old, has been the bain of my existence since I've had to start paying bills here. It is not in English. There are no English options. It shouts Korean at you when it wants you to press a button. Its scary.

No matter how many times I've been shown how to work the stupid thing, I usually ended up needed some kind Korean to assist me with the process; usually a pissed off ajuma--old married woman, literally--to cluck and sigh at me, then push me out of the way, rip my bills out of my hand, clucking the whole time, then push me when it is time to enter my pin number. Another reason why it is so scary--man I thought Mom had a good evil eye!

Anyways, after four months of paying bills, I can now proudly say that I can do it my self, thank you very much! Yesterday, I went to pay bills. I ponied up to the machine, pressed all the right buttons, swiped my card twice (once was the wrong way), and pleased the ajumas behind me because I was fast. When I finished, I wanted to turn to the person behind me and give them a hug (or have them hug me because I did something all by myself). I wanted someone to pat me on the back, to say congratulations! But then I remembered that I was at the Korean bank, and they don't really care about me, except that I'm a foreigner in their bank (WOW!!). So I did get patted a few times, but because I'm pretty, not because I did something all by myself!

So moral of this story: Its okay that it takes me five times to get something right, I'll eventually get it. At least now I can pay my bills with out help. Can you?

On Break.... Finally!!!

Today marks the first day of our two month vacation from teaching English!

I LOVE vacation!
I LOVE vacation!
I LOVE vacation!

Eddie and I will be around Yeosu until the 5th, then we will be heading to Malaysia for a bit of a stay. I'm hoping to still have internet though, as I will be working on another masters' course during our vacation (bahhh--why do I need to be educated--huh??).

So until then, I'm sure I'll have a few more things to write--but I wanted to let you all know in case you wanted to send some care packages or such--we won't be around to get them (if a dire emergency arises, please let me know and I will get you an address!)

Hey, did I mention that I get my vacation, for two months, and its paid??
I LOVE vacation (and I love rubbing it in!) :)))

Merry Christmas

From Ed's Students:

'Hello How are you? We are Buyeong High School students in Korea. Though we have never seen each other, we hope this Christmas makes you feel very special and very loved, for all! PS Edward Teacher is very handsome and teach well"

To Mr. and Mrs. Lemery
"No cry. No cry. Santa grandfather do not give present to crying children. !Fighting! (means go team) Santa knows you. Children who are kind or bad. Today night will visit your home and go!!! Early morning she wakes up with a knock, knock, knock on the door. Why you not give prise to us. We disappointed and very sad but we wish your merry christmas Happy new year. Ok? Thank you read this letter. Bye."

(the Korean says 'Edward should shave his beard'.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hazard:
"Hello! We are Bu-yong 'elite' high school students (Ju-Hee, Jin-Hee, Lemon, Lucy, A-Ram). We are Edward's students. Ummm......Happy New Year!" (notice the picture of Edward)

This one pretty much just says Merry Christmas and I love you.

Here's hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas and we miss you all!

X-Mas Wagookin' Stylz

This past weekend was our Christmas in Yeosu! We invited our two extra classes over for a 'Western Christmas'. Many, if not all had never been to a 'foreigner's house' so that was a treat in itself. We made cookies, at mandu and kimchi, watched Tim Allen try to be Santa. It was a good time. Here are the highlights:

 

 

Violet

 

Star, Taylor, and Toni

 

 

B Class

 

 

 

 

 

 

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