I admit that I'm quite behind on blogging. There are many photos from my last week at school and my time in America that I wish to share with you. Unfortunately, my camera cord broke and I cannot upload the photos to my laptop at this time. I tried purchasing one but nothing seems to fit my specific camera model or memory card. I eventually ordered one from Amazon, but it didn't arrive in time. So now I have been relegated to passively waiting, until it finally arrives and Momma Kim overnights it to me. While we wait, let me introduce you to my 8 new club class students!
At my school, each club class is only permitted to meet 20 hours in total. It was rather depressing when my first club class ended during the last week of October. By then, I had become attached to those 6 students and didn't want to let them go. Nevertheless, my school held sign-ups for my second advanced English conversation club class. The response was overwhelming and through an essay writing contest, 8 new students were chosen. Our first meeting took place during the first week in November.
The dynamic of this class was quite different than the first. At the beginning, these new students were much more shy and reserved. In fact, one student was so nervous during our first class that she began to tear up when I put her on the spot and asked her a question. My relationship with these students was also slow to develop because of our erratic schedule. Classes were frequently canceled due to Suneung, other exams, and various school events. This sporadic schedule made it difficult for them to build rapport with me and each other.
But overtime, these students began to open up and develop their own identities. Once they became comfortable speaking, their personalities really began to shine. I already knew that these students were bright and motivated because they all placed into A-level English classes. Yet, I was amazed by their playful spirit and creative energy. I was warned that Korean students tend to lack creativity because they are subjected to hours upon hours of rote memorization. But from my experiences, especially working with my club classes, this couldn't be farther from the truth. These students are incredibly curious and forthcoming with innovative ideas.
Especially for my club classes, I tend to formulate lessons around open-ended creative projects, rather than strict assignments that place limitations on learning outcomes. I find that this approach opens the door for a plethora of unique ideas and fosters students' critical thinking skills. One particularly successful lesson focused on the topic of dating culture. It proved to be a highly entertaining project. The proof is below.
First, I led into the topic by showing a hilarious video clip of Mr. Bean on a date and having students discuss the good and bad things that he did. After that, I showed a PowerPoint dating do's and dont's and had them decide, for example, whether one should or should not offer to pay on the first date. Next, I presented fake online dating profiles and had students talk about who their ideal partner would be. Finally, I challenged students to assume the role of a given character, fill out a dating profile on their behalf, and then present their ideas to the class.
Personality: I am very ambitious because I want to be the best in my school and I am so polite and obedient. Thus I always wear my uniform correctly.
Interests: I like to study in school and always have good grades. That's why I am the mascot in my school. Also I'm interested in raising Saeromi Juniors (???).
Ideal Partner: I hope my boyfriend is in Chungnam High School (The top boys H.S. in Daejeon, aka the counterpart to our school, which is the top girls H.S.) and he is intelligent in there. He is polite and humorous.
Personality: I always concentrate one thing that I like. I have many friends. I like girls who are good at magic. Always think about family and friends.
Interests: I'm good at magic and also interested in magic, too. I'm interested in killing dragons. I like exercising because I have to do it to do magic and kill.
Ideal Partner: I like a girl who is pretty and really good at magic. The girl will always love me and don't talk about any boys. I like Asian girls especially (Haha, Yellow Fever!). I hope a girl is outgoing and polite.
Personality: I am outgoing, and like spending time in outdoor. But I can't do that. :( Sometimes, I feel lonely. People cannot understand actors' life.
Interests: I like watching movies and dramas, and also reading books. I like baseball. I had thrown the first pitch for LG Twin (Korean baseball team) fans. It was very interesting.
Ideal Partner: The most important thing is understanding actors' life. And make me not feel lonely. I want smart person who can talk about books or social issues (I concur. This is very important), and who likes baseball. It is better if he is handsome (Haha, always is).
Personality: I'm a superhero in USA because I'm very generous, kind, and strong. I'm very handsome romantic person and I have just had only one girlfriend before. So I'm not good at treating girls. I will do my best if you will be my girlfriend. I'm a really good guy.
Interests: Jump up above the tall buildings, playing with insects, saving people in danger, and costume play like jumping red spiders (Sounds kinky).
Ideal Partner: Kind and sweet girl and who play hero costume play with me (Definitely kinky). And pretty, small girl who always in danger (Quite accurate).
Personality: I'm athletic and like to dance and sing. I make a lot of money. I'm in good shape. I'm an outgoing person.
Interests: I like handsome entertainers. I'm interested at getting gold medal in Olympic. I took many CFs (advertising contracts).
Ideal Partner: Someone who has lots of money. I like man who can take care of household because I don't want to (Amen, Sister!). I want a man who is handsome, humorous, and athletic like I am.
Personality: I am very kind and a little timid. I didn't have great love yet. So I don't have any skill about dating. But if I meet my real love, I will love only her (Awww).
Interests: I am very good at soccer. Nobody can beat me in Korea. And nobody hates me. And I have some CF about shave. I like some games about soccer. And I am also good at speaking English.
Ideal Partner: I want a pretty woman for my children's face (It's a running joke in Korea that he's ugly). And she have to be very kind and like activity like soccer. I hope she is younger than me and cook Korean food very well (The key to a man's heart).
Personality: I am outgoing. I like bright colors. I like making clothes, shoes, and many accessories.
Interests: I want my life is special. I am interested in beat music (Dance music?). I like dancing all day. I enjoy people looking at me surprisingly (Hahahaha!)
Ideal Partner: Crazy man like me (Hahahaha!). Humorous man, creative man. I want the person who enjoys my music with me.
Personality: Arrogant, crazy, love violence (Sad, but true). I think I'm very humorous person. I hope everyone will love me.
Interests: Girls, South Korea, my lovely son Kim Jong-Un (Foreshadowing, perhaps), eating, my belly (Hahaha!), fashion (Oh, the sarcasm)
Ideal Partner: Cute, lovely, love me forever, love Jong-Un, hate South Korea, love my fashion, like sunglasses, taller than me, don't be mad whether you would be abandoned or expelled by me. And plus, your kid might be killed because of my lovely Jong-Un (OMG, talk about social commentary! Please refer to my blog's disclaimer!)
For another lesson, I had students design their own social networking sites and pitch them as the "new and improved Facebook." It'd take me ages to try to recall and type all the nuanced details of their websites. But just admire the detail and creativity that went into this project.
The first website has a realistic school theme that allows students to connect with those in their homerooms. The second website seems like a combination of the Sims computer game and a Tamagochi, in which the user lives in a home and owns a farm that they must diligently tend. In return, their trees bear prizes in the form of various fruits. The third website has an underwater theme and one's user profile resembles a personal aquarium.
In conclusion, I love my club classes. Can you blame me?!
Cute!
ReplyDelete