First Meeting...We're Ready to Teach Some English
While one may feel overwhelmed at the notion of working 12-hour days at a sleep-away English Winter Camp for three weeks, our initial reaction was…well, “the money is really good.”
After spending more than 5 hours planning various games and curriculum with great friends at Angel-in-Us coffee shop, I had an inkling that a “positive outlook” (thanks Jason) would be crucial, if not more important than effective and engaging lesson plans. Looking back, I realize that the enthusiasm expressed as we collaboratively planned for the “Song and Drama” portion of the camp gave insight into how the next three weeks would transpire.
The Results (after an enjoyable search of iTunes and brainstorming):
Myself: Drama: “School of Rock” and song “Here Comes Your Man” by the Pixies
Neil: First Drama: “No title,” and can be described as different scenes with no theme, except for an amazing “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell” song…After a few suggestions the final Drama choice…a classic, “Ghostbusters” and song you guessed it, “Ghostbusters.”
Jason: Initially, his Drama title was: “Yoshmi Battles the Pink Robots.” Then after an in depth analysis of his Drama by his co-teacher, the change was finalized. His drama would be known as “Park Ji Sung battles the Pink Robots” accompanied with the same title as the song.
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| Tom's Ready to go! |
What felt like minutes (in actuality 1 day) after returning from Beijing, Neil and I had little to no time to acclimate back to our routine after our superb vacation in China. It was a race to do laundry, magically dry clothes without a dryer, pack these clothes that magically should dry without a dryer, and lastly look over and adjust our curriculum and games for camp once more. With an almost guarantee that something important would be forgotten (I almost forgot balloons for one of my vocabulary games), I took into account how a convenience such as being able to jump in a car to quickly grab something that you forgot at home was something that would have to wait until I return back to California.
Following a 10-minute bus ride, we arrived at The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology to teach English to 5th graders that were technically on winter vacation (Yet another example of the value of education in this country).
Now comes the cute part…my amazing, adorable, eager to learn, and loving homeroom class “Mercury.” Composed of 9 boys and 7 girls, my initial reception as I walked into the classroom from these students can be equated with a child visiting Disneyland for the first time (and I hadn’t even started teaching them yet). Then there is my co-teacher Mr. Park, I know everyone said that they had the best co-teacher at camp, but when I say it I really whole-heartedly believe that “I had the best co-teacher at camp.” His methods of discipline and collaboration would be of value to any educational community. Before you could say Kim chi, rules were taught, nametags made, classroom jobs were assigned and the class was literally running itself. (I can vouch for Neil that his experience with his homeroom “Aphrodite” was quite similar…except one difference, his students did have an inherent fascination with his beautiful beard and the permanent beanie that he wore for 17 days straight.)In order to give an adequate account of working at an English Winter Camp in Korea (that parents pay good money for), I will divide my experience into sections:
“College Living and Roommates”
This would seem the appropriate time to say how the facilities brought me back to my college days, but throughout college I never lived in a dorm, with 5 roommates, or slept on a bunk bed. While, I cannot say that it literally brings me back to my college days, I can attest that the living conditions at camp were reminiscent of a college environment (I guess that would have something to do with camp being held at a University).
The dorm room apartment-style living included a small living room, 2 showers (with hot water), 2 toilets, 3 sinks, and 3 bedrooms. The university was less than a year old, so I am almost certain that we were the first to make this place home.
*Note the hot water emphasis: the timing of camp was actually perfect. During our time away from our apartment, the cold weather in Ulsan caused many apartments to loose hot water or access to water all together, due to frozen pipes.
While, I have heard horror stories of communal showers, rooming next to students, and indescribable and uncomfortable living conditions at other or previous winter camps, I share with all who read this, that the living conditions at the Gang Nam Nu English camp were pleasant and comfortable. The food on the other hand…let’s just say every other day was decent. Keeping in mind that positive perspective, I will note that once in a while a delectable meal made an appearance. Lastly, us campers must never forget the spam, coleslaw, and cheese from a plastic wrapper sandwich breakfast. While some may describe this concoction as “not delicious,” we must be grateful for the fact that it gave us the energy needed to teach effectively for 12 hours.  |
| Smiles all day!!! |
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| Taking a rest |
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| The Boys of Mercury |
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| The Girls of Mercury |
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| Some Amazing Narrators!!!! |
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| The Hun! He's Ready to Rock!! |
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| Representing!!! |
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| The kids loved making their Rock Posters |
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| A wonderfully wonderful co-Teacher |
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| Mr. Park is Silly |
“I Can’t Believe I Get Paid To Do This”
The title of this section speaks for itself. Although the days were indeed long at times and the schedule jam packed, the students as a whole were extremely well behaved, funny, likeable, adorable, clever, intelligent, and loving. Even though I had my favorites(Hun, Trevar, Mario, Hannah and Allie), there was not one class that I “did not feel like teaching.” And even when I had a cold/flu the first week of camp the students made me forget that I was ill.
In my preparation and planning, I strived to make the lessons exciting and full of games that still met a learning objective. Largely, the students met me more than half way with their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. To give a better insight as to how a typical workday of camp would go, the following is a daily schedule:
8:30-9:30 Breakfast
9:40-10:20 Vocabulary
10:30-11:10 Vocabulary
11:20-12:00 Reading
12:10-12:50 Reading
12:50-14:00 Lunch
14:00-14:40 Writing
14:50-15:30 Writing
15:30-16:00 Break
16:00-16:40 Special Activity
16:50-17:30 Special Activity
17:30-18;40 Dinner
18:40-19:20 Drama
9:30-20:10 Song21:00-22:00 Meetings…sometimes
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| Can you find me? |
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| They we're so cute and nervous for "School of Rock" |
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| I've found my true calling: I love MCing |
“Move over Ryan Secrest”
As fate would have it Neil, Jason and I were chosen to MC the “Song and Drama Festival” for our corresponding classes. Jason and I would co-MC for class B group on Wednesday night while, Neil and Christy would co-MC for class A group on Thursday. With microphones in hand and the spot light glaring we were ready to pump up the crowd.
Here are some of the “outstanding” and more “notable” jokes that stood out:
After an attempt at getting the crowd to do a wave, “I’ve seen better waves at a lake.” (drum sound): (said on Wednesday night by Jason and on Thursday night by Neil) Hopefully, this “classic” and “hilarious” joke was used on Tuesday night for Class A group.
After a performance of The Incredibles, “Now that performance was ‘Incredible.’” (drum sound)
Well at least I know we all have legitimate backup plans for jobs.
After a plethora of performances that would show up “High School Musical,” it was decided:
Jason’s class won: “Best Teamwork”
Neil’s class won: “Best Costumes”
My Class….drum roll please…won “Best Overall”
With a rendition of “Here Comes Your Man” that would make the Pixies proud, my class truly “rocked out.” I can honestly say that I’ve done my job when Korean 5th graders(rock n’ roll faces and all) proudly sing the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and their FAVORITE rock band, THE PIXIES!!!!
"Who You Gonna Call?"
THE END
Here’s to a great 3 weeks that felt like 1!
