Gadeokdo Island

Last weekend, I took an impromptu trip to Gadeokdo Island, which is the largest island in Busan and about a 30-minute drive from my home.

My old Korean teacher friend learned of my pending departure from Korea, so he invited me out to lunch on Saturday for some Chinese food. I took the subway and met him, and to my surprise, he was with two middle school students who would be joining us for lunch. One student was a girl from his school who I had met previously. The other student was a boy from my current school who the Korean teacher also knows well.

Korean restaurants are still operating these days but there are protocols designed to keep people safe. We had a separate small room with a sliding door to ourselves. My Korean friend paid for a big meal that was tasty and filling. We all had jjajangmyeon which is noodles with a thick, dark sauce containing pork and vegetables. I only spilled a drop or two onto my shirt. Not bad.

After lunch, we piled into the teacher's car and he drove us through Busan, along a scenic ocean and mountain view road, to Gadeokdo Island. This island has a nice walking trail and interesting historical sites.

During the early 1900s, Russia and Japan were at war and Gadeokdo was used by the Japanese military as a based. The large flat circles carved into the ground, or launch pads, are still viewable on the island where the Japanese set up their artillery. There are other fortifications and military barracks to view as well.

 

We took a stroll around some of the sites and posed for a few pictures, then it was off to a nearby cafe with a great view of the sea for coffee. It seemed like the entire street was just one big row of cafes to take advantage of the sea view. 

One of the students had written me a nice note about me leaving Korea. Students are being so kind to me since they learned that I was leaving Korea. I guess they have many foreign teachers over the years and few stay with them for more than a year. It's very sad, but I'm glad they can connect with people from around the world. And the students certainly make a positive impression on the teachers. I'll miss them when I'm gone.

English Camps

At both my boys' school and main school, a small group of students joined me for English camp in the early days of winter vacation. This extra-curricular camp is an opportunity for students to interact with a native English teacher in a fun and informal setting while improving their communication skills. Each camp was three half-days, with the boys studying with me in the morning and my main school students, a mix of boys and girls, studying with me in the afternoons.

The camps are a whirlwind of activities that leave me completely exhausted by the end of the three days. I felt like I had been run over by a truck but was really pleased with how the camps turned out. In previous terms, some of my camps were unfortunately held online, but thankfully we were able to meet in-person for these, my final camps, as a teacher in Korea.

Students voluntarily signed up for the camps, or as I learned later, some joined because of good old-fashioned parental pressure. Still, the students were active and enthusiastic participants and we had a lot of fun together. The theme for the English camp was 'Around the World.' I designed a series of activities and games that I hoped would be interesting for the students. My biggest worry was that I wouldn't have enough material for the three days, but I actually had more than enough tricks up my sleeve to keep the kids busy.

Camps are both great and terrifying for me because I'm all alone with the students in the room. No other teacher has input into my plan so I can do whatever I want. But also, it's all on me to make sure things go well for three full days.

As the theme was 'Around the World', I had the students make little passports and fill in their names and information on the first page. Students were to make notes throughout the camp in the passport on the different activities we did. They could write something like 'I played bingo and it was fun' and I would then give them a sticker for their passport, as if they were getting a real passport stamp for traveling somewhere. One girl wrote, 'I failed to make a bingo.' Truly sad that she didn't win at bingo but she earned herself a passport sticker.

I purchased a stack of real postcards from notable tourist sites around Korea. Students wrote English messages to a person of their choice, usually a parent, along with their home address and I sent the postcards off in the mail. It was the first-time students had ever sent a postcard! Many of the students didn't know how to properly write their mailing address, which was somewhat surprising.

I played other fun games and ended off with a short dance party. I played a YouTube video of traditional dances from around the world and then we watched and tried a hip-hop dance tutorial for one last activity. The boys didn't really dance, too self-conscious I think. But the girls at my main school gave it a good try.

The students at my boys' school filled out a survey on their impressions of the camp, and I was told that everyone was very satisfied and had fun. One student wrote that it was a 'perfect camp'. I handed out certificates of completion to the students at my main school, and we ended the camp with a complimentary take out meal for the students. Everyone received a chicken burger, fries, and a Pepsi from the nearby fast-food place.

I connected really well with the students in this camp. It was extra-special because I told them that I was leaving Korea and this was my last chance to teach them and have a camp together. They were espcially kind and well-behaved. They gave a really good effort in the English activities, and all in all, it was an ideal teaching situation albeit very exhausting.

Some of the regular classes during the school year, because they were so difficult, left a bad taste in my mouth. But to basically end my Korean teaching adventure with these camps and with these kids was an amazing gift because it was such a positive experience. I'll leave on a high note.

School Talent Show

As we approach the end of the school year and the much-needed winter vacation, the students held a talent festival to showcase their abilities in music, dance, dramatic arts, and even magic. This festival was cancelled last year because of the corona-virus pandemic, so the students were exceptionally excited and eagerly looking forward to the event. I was worried that the rising COVID-19 cases would again spoil the show, but thankfully the festival was successfully held. The show must go on.

One full grade was present in the gymnasium at a time to perform or watch the performances while the other students were in their classrooms seeing it all on a livestream. Grades rotated throughout the morning. I, on the other hand, watched the entire show from the back of the gym, and I was thoroughly impressed by the students. The festival was well put on with a professional crew manning the light show and an emcee pumping up the crowd at every opportunity.

Students had been practicing for weeks, and in a few cases, such as the orchestra and dance club, had prepared for the entire school year. Knowing that the students would be very excitable, the school administration had asked the students to refrain from shouting during the performances. That directive was useless. The students clapped, cheered, shouted, and supported their classmates at every turn. They were having a lot of fun.

One third grade boy, who I know to have difficulty regulating his behaviour in my classes, drew the attention of the principal and several teachers for his raucous shouting. He was reprimanded several times where he took off his facemask. None that stopped his from hooting and hollering like a crazed fan. He was having the time of his life and nothing was going to stop him.

The first-grade students were the first to take the stage. They performed musical numbers with bells, guitars, drums, and traditional instruments. Each group performed two songs, and there was a very nice selection of Christmas carols. After each performance, the students scurried off the stage and I was there to clap and congratulate them. They looked so happy, and also relieved to be finished with their performance. They stored their instruments and took their seats to cheer on the next act.

The grade two students were equally as entertaining, putting on a short dramatic play. I couldn't understand the details, but it seemed to be about the issues and challenges faced by students at middle school. It ended with students resolving their dispute and becoming friends again.

Every grade three class (5) performed a choreographed dance routine to a medley of fun K-pop and international pop songs. I had a sneak peak of some of these performances since the students had been practicing their moves in my classes for a week or two before the talent show. What surprised me was that each class wore matching costumes for their dance, and many students got special hairstyles or wore fancy make-up. It was truly like a professional production. It was wonderful to see every student participate, even those who are a bit shy or socially awkward danced their hearts out like true pop stars.

The true show stoppers were the dance club members. They did several routines, often with just two or three members at a time. While the class dances were good, it was clear that the dance team were on another level. They were highly skilled and amazingly rehearsed. They could easily fit into any modern K-pop music video. 

Individual students also put on talented routines. A pair of students bravely sang in front of the student body. Another student played the flute. A third-grade girl did a wonderfully funny magic show. The camera was brought close and the images projected onto the screen to show her impressive card tricks. She bantered with the emcee which brought out many laughs from the crowd. The showmanship was outstanding.

Everyone was in a good mood for the remainder of the morning. When the show was over, students had their school lunch and were free to go home for the rest of the day. Teachers stayed in the office to work. Merry Christmas!

'Tis the season for cancelled classes

It's always a difficult challenge to plan lessons for the month or more of classes after students have completed their curriculum and written their final exams. Basically, I have free reign to make 'free topic' lessons on a topic of my choosing. The students are not particularly interested in learning or paying attention, so I need to make the lessons fun with engaging games or videos. Thankfully, I don't need to completely fill the time myself, since there is an unusually high number of cancelled classes at this time of year.

Last week on Tuesday, two of my five classes were cancelled at my boys' middle school. A guest lecturer was brought in from outside the school to speak about a topic. I was not informed of the topic, but when my co-teacher realized it was our two classes that were cancelled she squealed with joy. The two classes are by far the worst, most difficult classes in the school. Teachers always complain about the classes and lament when it's their turn to teach them. Thus, the complete joy when both of those classes were cancelled for the guest lecturer.

Back at my main school on Wednesday, I walked into a third-grade class fully prepared to teach a Christmas lesson and sing 'Santa Claus is coming to town' with my students. But several students met me at the door and pleaded with me to let them practice their dance routine for the school festival instead of having English class. It was, in their words, 'very important that they practice dancing.' They explained that they had seen another class's dance routine realized theirs wasn't up to par.

I consulted with the Korean co-teacher and we decided to let the kids practice their dance routine. I just sat back and watched the class try to choreograph and synchronize their moves to the soundtrack of a K-pop compilation. I was actually really impressed with their dance moves, although some of the less enthusiastic students were clearly just going through the motions. I decided to give all of my 3rd grades classes time to dance instead of teaching. They were more than happy to have an active class, and I was pleased to sit down and watch. I gave each student a candy cane at the end of the lesson.

The next week on Wednesday, the PE teacher had asked to take my first period class for an activity. I wouldn't need to teach. I readily agreed to this - another cancelled class. As it turned out, she also wanted my second period class as well. I learned that when I went to the class at the scheduled time and found it empty.

That very same day, after my morning classes were cancelled, I learned that a student at my boys' school had test positive for COVID-19. I would need to leave the school to go get tested. This meant that my afternoon classes were to be cancelled as well. I didn't teach a single class on that day. My COVID-19 test came back negative early the next day.

Thursday was officially the day of the much anticipated school festival, so again all classes were cancelled that day. I observed the students perform various musical, dramatic, and dance performances from my seat in the gymnasium. It was entertaining, and I couldn't help but take a small bit of credit for giving my students extra practice time to perfect their dance. No, not really. But the students did a great job and I was amazed at how talented the students were.

Friday was Christmas Eve. Classes were held in the morning. I finally had classes to teach - this time, two classes of second year students in the morning. Afternoon classes were cancelled and teachers were free to leave the school at 1:30pm. I had the head teacher and vice-principal approve and sign for my early leave, then I was out the door. For this one week, 11 of my 21 classes were cancelled. It was an interesting but restful week. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Online classes and online problems

For the first time in several months, classes at my boys' school are online. This is a short-term measure because of the high number of cases in Korea and also because some 2nd-grade middle schoolers were exposed to the COVID-19. So far there are 10 confirmed cases at the school.

When I reported to the boys' school on Monday morning, the 1st grade English teacher, who I usually teach with on Mondays, was absent. I was told that 'her condition is not good.' She had a COVID-19 test on the weekend and received her negative result this morning but she still had a fever. She stayed home from school that day.

So, arrangements were made for me to sign in and conduct the class while she signed in from her home to assist with the lesson. Usually we would sit side by side for online classes at the school. I was given her login credentials and a key to the classroom. Several problems occurred when I was setting up for the class. First, the internet was not working. I plugged in the ethernet cable but received a message of 'no internet'. I quickly called my main co-teacher to come help. She fiddled with things for a while and then brought in another teacher to help. The class had already started, so I'm sure the students (and co-teacher) were sitting at home wondering what was going on. The teacher was finally able to sign me into the WIFI.

That's when the next problem occurred. I was unable to log into the co-teachers Zoom account. I tried several times and it didn't work. My main co-teacher frantically scrolled through her phone. She soon realized that the password she had given me was wrong. It contained an extra digit, so that's why I couldn't log in. Here's the kicker, by the time we figured out the password was wrong, I had already attempted to log in too many times and the account was locked.

There was nothing else to do at that point but give up. I was instructed just to go wait in the staff office. My first period class would go without their lesson that day. This was the first time in two years that technical difficulties had prevented us from teaching an entire lesson. Many times before, technical difficulties had cost me 5, 10, even 20 minutes of a 45-minute class, but we eventually sort out the problem and teach in what time we have remaining.

By the time second period started, the teacher had recovered and unlocked her Zoom account. I was able to teach the remaining four classes that day. Things went relatively smoothly from there, except for the usual inefficiencies of online teaching. 

The teacher takes roll call in every online class, and that eats up at least 5 minutes and sometimes 10 minutes of my class time. Anytime you call on a student, it always takes a long time for them to respond. They are usually not paying attention to the class. They may be playing games or doing something else when they suddenly hear the teacher, who has been calling their name for the past minute or so. With so much time wasted, I can only cover few things in class. Learning is truly ineffeicient, but the students seem to love it. They get to stay at home. They don't have to wear their school uniforms. There is amble opportunity to play games or do other things, which would easily be spotted and stopped by the teacher if class were held in a classroom.

Things rapidly change because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Last week I was told that I wouldn't have classes on Tuesday because of a field trip. Then a few days later, I was told the field trip was cancelled and that I would have in-person lessons. Then on Monday, I was told all of my classes would be online. It's not easy to make the transition since a lot of lesson activities are designed either for online classes or in-person classes. The uncertainty adds a lot of work to my schedule. 

Online classes come with online problems, every time.

Covid test and Covid things

This week started ominously with a text from my co-teacher that read, "Bad news...". There had been a few confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst the 2nd graders at my boys' middle school. All of the teachers were to get test for COVID-19 before they could report for school. Even though I don't teach 2nd graders at that school, and hadn't been to the school since last Tuesday, I also needed to get tested.

This was on a Sunday, so I went for my test on Monday morning. The results of the test wouldn't be known until the next day, so I missed one day of school. I was asked to send my lesson PowerPoint presentation so another teacher could teach it, but ultimately all classes at the school were cancelled so that was unnecessary.

The testing centre opened at 9am and I arrived a few minutes after that to see an already long line stretched along the sidewalk and doubled back. It was a long wait, but at least the rain started to let up. I had been to this testing centre twice before and was now familiar with the protocol. As always, a staff member helped me fill out the Korean forms. There is a brief interview before the test and the staff was able to ask basic questions in English. "Why did you come here today?" I answered, "Some of my students have COVID-19". 

The test was pretty much the same as always. Sit down in a chair and pass your vile to the staff. Remove you mask and have a much-too-long prod shoved up your nose and scratched about. At least this time, they didn't test the back of the throat which is also very unpleasant. Not sure why the change but I didn't complain. I put my mask on and left the facility. I forgot to mention that this entire process occurs outdoors - waiting in line, filling out forms, interview, and test. It takes place in the courtyard of a medical facility and there are plenty of staff on hand to make sure things run smoothly and the line moves along as quickly as possible.

All this happened while South Korea is facing a major COVID-19 wave. The country has set another record high for cases while critical cases, deaths, and strain on hospitals is higher than ever. We reached a previously unheard of 7000+ cases per day in the country. Certain social distancing measure were reinstated after the botched 'Living with Covid' scheme that the government initiated. I can't believe there was talk of removing the facemask requirements for people who had been vaccinated. We're a long way from that now.

Also new to South Korea is a digital vaccine passport. Everyone must download the phone app and register their proof of vaccination. This proof is required for many businesses including restaurants, cafes, gyms, and so on. I spent much of my weekend trying to download the app and get myself registered. One day before the nationwide requirement for digital proof of vaccination, my co-teacher hadn't heard of it, so I was on my own. After great difficulty, and using a digital translator, I had finally downloaded the app and registered my proof of vaccination. I also made an appointment for February, when I would become eligible, for my third vaccination, the so-called booster shot.

 
My COVID test came back the next morning. I was negative. So, I was required to go to school that day. I had five online classes and sat through a staff meeting where the school principal updated everyone on the status of the COVID-19 cases at the school. The plan is to conduct online lessons in the short term and then switch back to in-person classes the next week. Also, the 2nd grade final exams were postponed by one week.

I'm starting my preparations to return to Canada, so that means I need to get my documents in order. My co-teacher wrote a helpful note in Korean that I took to the vaccination clinic on Thursday to get an English language and Korean language hard copy verification of my two previous vaccinations. I will need this to show proof of vaccination, among other things, when returning to Canada to classify as a 'vaccinated person'. Completing this process will allow me to avoid a long hotel-stay, quarantine for my first weeks in Canada, assuming the rules aren't altered again.

It's so odd, almost two years after arriving in Korea, we're back where we started - COVID-19 wave, online classes, and social distancing restrictions.

Just a random week

On Tuesday of this week I taught a short lesson on greetings with my grade 3 middle school boys classes. I want to move them away from standard greetings such as the all too common, "How are you? I'm fine, and you?" I introduced some more casual greetings like, "How is your day going? What's up? What's going on?" These aren't things they'll learn in their textbooks but it will help them sound more natural when speaking English.

After the short lesson, we played a game that involved the Korean version of Rock, Paper, Scissors. It's called Kai, Bai, Bo in Korean and is used to solve most any dispute that the students may have. Well, the boys classes are super into competition, so the game quickly got wild and loud. At one point, a boy did a soccer style victory slide across the floor of the classroom to celebrate his rock, paper, scissors win and to taunt his opponent. I gave chocolates to the winning team, so the classes were more energized than ever. The students are finished with their curriculum and tests, so motivating them to learn or do anything productive in the classes is challenging, to say the least. Chocolate is a good motivator.

This week also saw all-time highs for covid-10 infections in Korea. With over 5000 cases per day, we are firmly into another wave and the strain on hospitals is becoming dire. Predictably, the 'living with covid' phase the government initiated some weeks back was completely premature and a terrible mistake according to doctors and anyone not hyper-focused on economic results. Even with this new spike in cases, the government said they would not reinstate previous restrictions not wanting to 'lose the progress that was achieved'. But I ask, what progress? We have more cases now than ever. 

Unsurprisingly, after a few more days of pressure and high case counts, the government backtracked and has implemented new social distancing restrictions on the population. Fewer people are allowed to gather at restaurant. Instead of 8 people, only six can dine together. Still too many, I think. There are reports of a digital vaccine passport being required for entry into certain businesses like restaurants and cafes, but I'm having trouble finding current information on the requirement.

Winter has definitely arrived in Korea. This week, the mornings have been cold, around 2° or 3° each day. It warms up a little throughout the afternoon but still chilly. Classrooms are being heated but also ventilated. So heating units are on and windows are open. I am living in a chilly bizzaro world.

On Friday morning, as I was gathering my things for my first period class, my co-teacher asked if I knew about the schedule change today. Of course, I did not. An extra class was added to my schedule at the end of the day. Surprise! Hope you have a spare lesson prepared. It's always been a nightmare scenario that I'd have no lesson planned for a class. Luckily, after nearly two years of teaching, I have enough material to draw on in these scenarios. 

With the surprise bonus class, I had four classes on Friday. And it was unusual in that I had four unique lessons to teach. Usually, I repeat lessons throughout the week, so it's easy to get into a groove. But with four unique lessons including one surprise class, I was definitely pushed to my limit. 

It's the weekend. What will happen next week? Stay tuned.