Introductions

There are six classes in this kindergarten, each with approximately 25 children. It has been split so that Lauren will teach the five and six year olds (they are Korean ages, so since we've just reached the new year it's safe to knock off two years to get to the familiar aging system) and I will teach the seven year olds. I think this works well for both of us; Lauren has been dying to teach some really little ones since she's not yet had the chance, while at our last school my five year old class was my least favourite (perhaps bar that bunch of 13 year old boys) since I find them just *too* small.

Anyway, Lauren and I went into each of the six classes today, introduced ourselves and attempted to gauge the levels of their English. Although some of them might not be letting on their proficiency due to timidity, we got the general impression of "low". In a way, this might make lesson planning easier since if we assume no knowledge, at least we can be sure they are getting a full English education.

The children will have their regular Korean lessons while we will flit in between them giving them a 50 minute English session a day. The Korean teacher will be present in the room while we teach which we initially thought might be a hindrance; Lauren had bad experiences at that other Korean kinder she worked at with the Korean teacher butting in and answering the questions for the children -- defeating the object of the lesson. However, with 25 total non-English speaking children, having a Korean teacher will no doubt be beneficial for class control, and the teachers have also been informed that there will only be English spoken in the English lessons -- so maybe the less able English speaking teachers will pick up a thing or two, too, lol.

It was good meeting all the other kindergarten teachers today too; there was much more of an atmosphere in the staff room (what with there being other people there), and although we might feel as though we're raining on their parade a little, they all seem like nice girls (yep, another difference between a hagwon and a kindy - no men) so hopefully it'll end up being a nice place to work.

Obviously I'm feeling a little more positive about the whole thing today; still not dead impressed at having to work til 6 but it's marvelous what a little human interaction can do for ones morale. :D