#teachingesl

Before leaving for South Korea, I was aware of Corvid-19 spreading through East Asia. However, I was not concerned. The year was 2003 and the middle of February when I flew from the City of Angeles to Beijing for a six-month language study abroad program at Beijing Film Academy.  So, let’s just say, I’ve been here before.

Unlike 2003, the internet was and is a good source for information. There are up to date status reports for the spreading of the virus and safety measures being taken by various governments. In addition, there is a widespread campaign to teach the general public, far and wide, about hygiene. Go to Youtube and checkout the Tik Tok video put together by some choreographers for their citizens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twjjX4lBJTs

I did try to purchase some masks before my departure, but was unsuccessful. Vendors on Amazon were price gouging. Luckily, I arrived to orientation where, on a daily basis, they supplied us attendees with disposable mask to ware.

As the situation would have it, we were not allowed to leave the campus we were staying on, which was about an hour drive south of Seoul. Yes, quarantined. In addition, and understandably, the day for the cultural excursion was canceled.

At this time, it has been a week since completing orientation, and I am in my digs provided by the school. Whilst I feel safe, I am also being safe. I wear a mask when out in public (walking, buying groceries, riding the subway/bus, etc.). I wash my hands frequently, for 20-30 seconds, and use hand sanitizer.

The start of the school year has been delayed by three weeks for the students. However, I still go to work on Mondays and Fridays. I haven’t had a lot to do, as of yet, as I am not in the system. Although I have been given a laptop, I do not have the lines/cords/outlets which would allow me to sign-in and use the internet. But I digress.

Corvid-19 has surpasses SARS in regard to infection and casualties. People are scared, here and all over the world. Flights in and out of China and South Korea are being canceled. People are using the virus as an excuse to openly display their xenophobia and racism. Checkout the Code Switch podcast over on NPR.  https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy&episode=NzNjZWEyNTctNThmYS00OTIyLWJhMDMtZDAyMTk5ZDMyM2Ey&hl=en-KR&ved=2ahUKEwiaqe7v95ToAhWDE4gKHanvAsAQieUEegQIDxAG&ep=6 Don’t get me wrong, I always want to know if a person is racist or not, so I know who I’m dealing with. But, you know….damn.

I digress.

The Coronavirus is real. There is no vaccine or cure. Whilst the person that currently occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue initially held a presser to tell the American people that everything was under control. He now says, with the warmer months coming, by April the virus will disappear. What a bunch of pee-pee-ca-ca. That’s right, I have no confidence in the current administration, which is presiding over the United States of America. As it stands, come fall, Corvid-19 will mostly likely be even deadlier than it is now. More people will likely be infected and more will succumb to the disease.

As an LA, communicating with my co-teachers is extremely important. I try to stay on top of what is being taught in each of my classes. And, from time to time, I am asked to come up with games or ideas to review with the students before an exam.

However, one of my great joys is being allowed to come up with projects to teach the students to my culture. While I try usually do this for holidays celebrated in the US, introducing my students to Dr. Maya Angelou for Black History Month has been a source of joy and pride.

I have been assigned to assist at CEIP Magerit, in Parla. It is a bilingual primary school. With the exception of Math and Language (Spanish), all classes are taught in Engish. While it is quite the commute to the outskirts of the capital, Parla is in the Community of Madrid. 

Establishing a positive relationship with the Coordinator, teachers and other LAs is very important. I feel very lucky as all of my co-teachers are fantastic and allow me to interact and assist with the students in every class.

I have talked about how to find a teaching job in Korea and what it’s like to work at a private academy (hagwon) —but I want to share a bit about my experience teaching at a Korean university for two years.

A lot of college graduates come to teach in Korea for a new experience and/or the hope of saving a lot of money. A university job in Korea is ideal because you work less hours (12-18 teaching hours a week) and have a fantastic amount of paid vacation (3-5 months of the year). These days, university jobs are very competitive; it’s based on who you know and how great your resume is. 

Every contract and school is different. I was lucky to have my own student assistant (to make copies and do grading), my own office (with a sweet view of the ocean), decent pay with full benefits, a ton of flexibility with picking books and teaching materials, a nice staff, great students, money paid into a private pension, and the opportunity to do research I was semi-interested in. 

I have a master’s degree and taught public speaking at a public university in the U.S., so I did have prior university teaching experience. Also, I taught at private academies and a public elementary schools in Korea, as well, so I had experience with teaching in Korea. So, why would I leave my cushy university job in Korea?