Let me just say that this is an utter lie. Especially when it comes to teaching a foreign language. I've never been so rattled in my life. When the medium in which you speak is not understood, how can students learn anything?

Korean school culture is very different. I was expecting some chaos, but I thought I'd have a schedule by the 1st week. I still don't know all the details of my main school. I definitely do not understand what to do in my other two schools. 

After being told I was only responsible for doing an introduction presentation (something that shouldn't take longer than 15 minutes), I was told that the class isn't over, and that it would proceed for the next.. wait for it.. 65 minutes. That's right an 80 minute class. 

I think EPIK Orientation was great; however, I think they gave us very idealized versions of what our schools would be like. Albeit, the staff is very friendly, the students are eager, but the English comprehension is simply not there. When we had the co-teaching demonstration, I was thinking that the English level of students would be pretty good. Meh. Meh.

Speaking of co-teaching, the way it worked (thus far) is (step 1) that I speak in English. (Step 2) The students give me blank stares. (Step 3) The co-teacher then reiterates what I said but in Korean. You may think, "Hey Peter, maybe you're speaking at too high of a level." And you're damn right; I am. But when "My name is ____" is too high of a level, where do I start? Especially when I have to follow the guidelines of the textbook?

I think what the Korean government is trying to do to further English speaking is very admirable and is in the right direction. However, it seems like the system as a whole is treated as a black box. Not only that, but it appears that there's a "No Student Left Behind" approach to English. I think if the government is paying to have native speakers in Korea, it would also be in its best interest to increase the importance of learning English in its schools.

I can't wait until I get into the groove of things. I think once I understand my students' English level fully, the teaching process will be much better, and consequently the learning process (for the students) will be much more straightened out as well.

It's been a rough three days, but I'm actually very excited to see how this year progresses.