My schools

I've got some downtime so I thought I'd write about the schools I'm teaching at.

I'm teaching at two different middle schools, Sungduk Middle School, and Jaun Middle School. They are both very close to where I'm living, which is called Sinseong-dong. Sungduk is only a 10 minute walk away from me, and Jaun is a 10 minute drive, or 15 minute bus ride. I haven't ridden the bus to Jaun yet, I've gotten picked up and dropped off the only time I've been there.

I'll be working at Sungduk on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with five classes each day. I'm teaching the 1st and 2nd grade in the middle school (which translates to the 7th and 8th grade), seeing the second grade once a week, and the first grade twice a week. At Jaun, I'm teaching four 3rd grade classes on Wednesday, and three 2nd grade classes on Friday. Each class is 45 minutes long, and there are about 30-40 students in teach class.

Sungduk is an older school, at the top of a hill, and is currently under construction. I officially start teaching on Monday, even though I've been to the school already. The interior looks like a cross between modern and traditional design. For example, the wooden floor and sliding wooden doors look like the interior of an old Asian house... but on the fourth floor there is a brand new English Lab complete with a touch screen blackboard, and virtual studio (which I cannot wait to use!!). I am so baffled by the breadth of technology that is offered in Korea, and especially in its schools. Jaun Middle School is actually near a military base, so the school is for children of families working for the military, or government. Jaun also has an English Center, but it's not as pimped out as Sungduk. However, it makes up for it by being basically, a brand new building, with huge hallways and all new furniture, desks, etc... and a super friendly and outgoing staff.

Onto the staff...the teachers at Sungduk are a lot older than me, there is only one teacher who is close to my age, and she's a year older. Most do not speak English well, or are just afraid to speak to me. There are three teacher offices, and the one I'm in has three out of the four co-teachers I'll be working with. They're really nice and friendly, but they're also very, very busy. At Jaun, I think there are three teacher offices as well. The two co-teachers I work with are in my office, as well as four or five extremely friendly, enthusiastic, young, outgoing teachers. Their English is very impressive, and they take every opportunity they can get to speak to me. When my co-teachers are busy, there's always one or two other teachers in the office that want to chat. I've noticed they've even started speaking English to each other in the office, in an effort to include me. I can't wait to get to know these teachers better.

All in all, I'm very happy with my schools. I haven't begun teaching in Sungduk yet, so I'll hold off on an update about classes and students.