OK, I have received some e-mails from so you, but others have not replied. Why not? I would like to hear from those of you who look at Axton's Seoulshine. There was a reason I asked for e-mails and a reason you gave them to me!!!!!
Post a comment, ask a question, spread a rumor, tell me about yourselves!! You all know I am getting along, for the most part and I am alive, ARE YOU?
My fellow (former) employees, WHAT'S Up?
Don't be shy people, I will reply in the blog, I WILL NOT call you out, I can reply without using your name, if you are so inclined.
NOW.
I started teaching the other night. My first night alone. MY classes. I am finally A Number one in a room! They HAVE to listen to me. There's nothing like a captive audience to hear me blather about a language they are trying to pick up. My first class was a room of 4-6 year olds. They are working on the phonics of the language and working out the sounds each particular letter makes. My next class works on putting sentences together and reading. The books we use are the "Side By Side" series. It applies the English language in simple terms for the 'new' English speakers to use. Other classes work on sentence structure and application of Verbs, adjectives, adverb, and nouns, although, I am not teaching those classes. I will be soon, but I will work my way up to those classes.
The age range at this 'Academy' is from 4 to 50. There are a lot of 'Free Talking' classes, where I sit with the students and discuss current affairs and how they would use the English language in conversation. These kids have already taken the tests for their other schools and need to work on their conversational English. I have a student whose husband was a General in the Korean Air Force, so she has moved around quite a bit and her English is impeccable, she is just interested in practicing and applying what she already knows. Other adults want to use it for their jobs and to make themselves available for jobs they would not necessarily be able to receive. It's quite interesting, their appetite to learn, I wish some Americans tried as hard as these students.
I made the right choice to come over to teach, not only will I learn a new culture and language, but I will benefit from my students as much as they will benefit from me.
The food is different, to say the least. What I have tried, I have liked, but I know I will come across something I wish I hadn't tasted. One of my fellow teachers will be taking me for Dog Stew, which I am excited to try, ONCE. If I don't like it, I don't have to eat it anymore. BUT, the squid I had was really tasty, I had it in a pepper sauce and it was delicious. I am adventurous when it comes to food (Thanks Mom and Dad), so I will try anything ONCE. I shall not go hungry.
Please feel free to leave a comment, I set it up to where you don't have to register for the site, so please, let me know how you are doing!!!!
I you do not have the address of my online photo album, shoot me an e-mail and I will get it to you right away.
P.S. The question I have been asked (by those of you who have contacted me) is the time difference. Right now, it is 10:05 PM in Seoul and it is 7:05 in Kansas City. we are 15 hours ahead of you. And, NO, that doesn't mean I find out about stuff before you.
Post a comment, ask a question, spread a rumor, tell me about yourselves!! You all know I am getting along, for the most part and I am alive, ARE YOU?
My fellow (former) employees, WHAT'S Up?
Don't be shy people, I will reply in the blog, I WILL NOT call you out, I can reply without using your name, if you are so inclined.
NOW.
I started teaching the other night. My first night alone. MY classes. I am finally A Number one in a room! They HAVE to listen to me. There's nothing like a captive audience to hear me blather about a language they are trying to pick up. My first class was a room of 4-6 year olds. They are working on the phonics of the language and working out the sounds each particular letter makes. My next class works on putting sentences together and reading. The books we use are the "Side By Side" series. It applies the English language in simple terms for the 'new' English speakers to use. Other classes work on sentence structure and application of Verbs, adjectives, adverb, and nouns, although, I am not teaching those classes. I will be soon, but I will work my way up to those classes.
The age range at this 'Academy' is from 4 to 50. There are a lot of 'Free Talking' classes, where I sit with the students and discuss current affairs and how they would use the English language in conversation. These kids have already taken the tests for their other schools and need to work on their conversational English. I have a student whose husband was a General in the Korean Air Force, so she has moved around quite a bit and her English is impeccable, she is just interested in practicing and applying what she already knows. Other adults want to use it for their jobs and to make themselves available for jobs they would not necessarily be able to receive. It's quite interesting, their appetite to learn, I wish some Americans tried as hard as these students.
I made the right choice to come over to teach, not only will I learn a new culture and language, but I will benefit from my students as much as they will benefit from me.
The food is different, to say the least. What I have tried, I have liked, but I know I will come across something I wish I hadn't tasted. One of my fellow teachers will be taking me for Dog Stew, which I am excited to try, ONCE. If I don't like it, I don't have to eat it anymore. BUT, the squid I had was really tasty, I had it in a pepper sauce and it was delicious. I am adventurous when it comes to food (Thanks Mom and Dad), so I will try anything ONCE. I shall not go hungry.
Please feel free to leave a comment, I set it up to where you don't have to register for the site, so please, let me know how you are doing!!!!
I you do not have the address of my online photo album, shoot me an e-mail and I will get it to you right away.
P.S. The question I have been asked (by those of you who have contacted me) is the time difference. Right now, it is 10:05 PM in Seoul and it is 7:05 in Kansas City. we are 15 hours ahead of you. And, NO, that doesn't mean I find out about stuff before you.
Labels: Seoul Musings
posted by Axton & friends | 11/09/2006 09:41:00 PM
4 Comments:
Brad:
I will be glad to leave you comments. Lets start with how things are going here. Jennifer is doing fine, and the twins (girls, in case you had not heard) are also doing swell (not really a medical term, but it works for us). She and Ken have a couple of names picked out, but I am going to let them stew about that for another week before blabbing is all over the planet.
Pat and I are doing fine. This is starting to be a busy time of year (you know, it would be nice to take some time off - I really haven't just pissed away a summer for 41 years. I think I would like it.)
Now to you. You seem to be thriving. You are right, it is a nice feeling to be in front of avid learners, no matter what the level or subject. Whips and chains might be useful, but probably not necessary.
In studying single server queueing systems a few years ago (don't ask; I do odd things from time to time) I heard that Koreans do not queue up. They don't get in line, they just go to the counter and ask for service. British people get in line (on line? I'm never sure which is actually preferred) and never queue jump. Americans jump from line to line in the hope that they can do better (and seldom do). So is what I heard correct? Do Korean people ignore queues or honor them? [It is interesting to note that queue can be spelled q, que, or queue and is pronounced the same. This leads me to believe that the ue is silent, and one can use as many of them as one desires. Thus queueueueue should also be acceptable.]
Reece is growing like a weed. He smiles a lot, and is moving about fast enough to give Pat a workout when she baby sits on Tuesday. By Christmas he'll have her completely whipped.
More later...
Bernie
Hi Brad. I am "blog ignorant" as you might say using PC terms...now that I've finally figured out how to post a comment here goes.
Sounds like you are doing great and will do great things for your class - awesome! Jacqui ate lunch at Jalepeno's today, brought me back some chips and salsa. Good stuff and reminded me of you!
Take care!
Bernie-
Thanks for the reply and I am glad Jennifer is doing well, I know the family is feeling better, after her trip to Seattle. I'll wait patiently for the names of the girls.
Tell Pat I am thinking of her, as well, it's hard to be away from 'Grandma'. Take some time off, enjoy Pat and enjoy all of your girls and Reece.
As far as Koreans queuing, NO. BUT, it could be just me, not wanting to be rude (go figure) and not wanting to use my size, as I tend to do in the States. Little old ladies push their way in front of me, why bother fighting back, they probably don't have as much time as me!!!! (That's the rude American shining through!!!!) The people tend to not move out of the way on the sidewalk, except when scooters go by at 150 KMH (Kilometers Per Hour, for those not used to the 'Communist' way of measuring---PAT!!!!) I have walked behind people who will not move or intentionally slow down, because they know someone is behind them. Oh well, I am not in that big of hurry!!
And, actually, who cares about what the British do anyway, except the French and that's only when they need assistance.
Margaret--I am glad salsa and chips make you think of me, I would not want it any other way!!!! Be sure to tell your server next time, "Brad was MUCH nicer and his service was much better!!!!" See if it helps. Also, run Gavin ragged, he needs the practice. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
See???? TWO people replied and I replied to THEM!!! Now YOU give it a try!!
Good Night from Korea and I hope you all are doing well.
Brad:
I hope you had a happy Pepero day. You should have received much in the way of chocolate sticks. Just how many special days do the Koreans have, anyway? Pat says that her fear of the metric system is not irrational. This from a woman who is, at times, irrational. You decide. Pat wants to know if you sit on the floor for your students (the 4-6 year olds) while you teach. If you don't, they will probably have sore necks by the end of the class. It would be like looking up at a mountain.
From what you indicated above, it seems that the Korean culture is to not queue up. Interesting.
This talk of snow and such... Wednesday it was 82, and Thursday it was in the mid 70's. Just another late fall in Missouri.
I will post the weekend football scores early in the week. Chiefs, Raiders, Jayhawks, Wildcats, Tigers, and (if there is any basketball activity) the K-Roos.
Your approaching dietary experimentation leads one to new interpretations of the term dogged determination. JJ and the Twins (not a musical group) are still doing fine.
Pat and I may go up to Jap's to torment Gavin as well. Sounds like fun. Maybe we can each order just one drink when he comes by each time he comes by. Make him run back and forth a lot. Exercise is important for a growing lad.
More later...
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