1. I get to watch the Korean teachers herd cats- er, students.
A. Basically, take 80-ish students and throw them outside with a ton of distractions. Then try to make them do things like line up and sit down and run in sync… It’s inevitable that SOMEONE isn’t paying attention- statistically I think it’d be about 50% or 40 students the first time around. Then there’re the ones that ARE paying attention but had no idea what is going on and flail with random motions they think might be acceptable to the casual [teacher] observer, composed mainly of enthusiastic grades 1-3. This would fall at around 25%. Then there are the kids paying attention and know what’s going on, but they are shy or stuck up or lazy, so they put out the least amount of effort possible to get by. I’d say that’s about 5%-ish, composed of mainly 6th grade ‘too cool for school’ types. The remaining percent, whatever that is, are on the ball and looking good; however, their efforts are overshadowed by the other 80% of students, making them jaded and annoyed.
The Result
*Rinse and repeat… EVERY DAY for three weeks… equals an endless reminder that Korean teachers can’t get cooperation from students using instructions in Korean. So I shouldn’t feel bad the students tune out my English instructions. A cheap, easy ego boost that takes a mere 5 minutes out of my day. Plus it’s funny as hell.*
2. And to be totally creepy about this, I get to watch the kids dance.
A. Let me give you a little back story, I love to watch little kids dance. It’s all because of my sister. After going to soooo many freakshows- er, dance recitals, and laughing my guts out at hapless, victimized little five year olds, I have fond memories. So watching my students, who I know personally, windmill their arms and kicking up their heels is hilarious.
B. I especially enjoy watching Grade 1 and 2. Mostly because they’re adorable and enthusiastic and clueless, but more because the TEACHERS have to dance too! It really warms my heart to see the bossy, obnixous 2nd grade teacher, who I have lovely nick named “Bossy Bessy” due to her unfortunate gum smacking habit, whip out dance moves to “The Twist.” It further tickles me that I’m not the only one who feels that way, judging by the laugher from the office window!
The Result
I get to laugh my butt off from the safety of the second story window and harass the students about it. Great stress relief and revenge against all those little snotmonsters who disrupt my classes.
3. Cancelled classes – no explanation needed.
4. Tired students
A. After running and sorting huge piles of recyclables (yes, this was an exercise they used – they take recycling very serious here!), dancing to a really annoying song, doing suicide drill–esque exercises, and standing in the sun, the kids just don’t have the usual energy to act like permanently insane monkeys.
The Result
Compliant students who are GRATEFUL to do something as mindnumbing boring as listen and repeat. Or arts and crafts, which for some reason, most of them scorn.
After all, who wouldn't want to see THIS in sparkly, cute costumes dancing "The Twist"?
Super attractive, right?
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