Brad, no bread!

These past few weeks at school have been going really well at school. I think the students and all us teachers are finally feeling settled and into a routine. I can honestly say I enjoy going to work everyday and finally feel like I am teaching and getting through to the students. An example of why teaching ESL is so much fun. This past week we were talking about the letter b. When asking one of the classes what words begin with B, one student was trying to say bread. However, every time she said it came out as Brad. I wrote Brad on the board, just to be told numerous times by the class, “no brad, brad.” I had no idea what they were saying, finally one student said, you eat it. And then it dawned on me, bread! These miscommunications happen daily, and they make my job all that much more entertaining.
Update on my class, I now have 9 students, with one more starting next week. Gordon gives the placement test to see which class new students should go into. However, I am not sure what the actual point of giving them is because the administration makes up their mind all on their own where new student will go. Thus, the reason I have received all 4 of the new students. His opinion was for this new boy not to be in my class, but of course no one really listens! So, now Gordon and I have 10 students and the other two have 8 students. I thought 10 was the max, but I was informed today it is 12. I am not sure where 12 students are fitting in these classrooms, but I am hoping they finally give the other classes some new students before I hit 12!
Today we had our second field trip. We went to the Children’s Museum, which was a 100 times better than the last field trip. We spent a little over two hours exploring the 3 floors of the museum. Afterward we had lunch there, where the students brought their lunch. Gordon had told us ahead of time not to worry about our lunch because there would be plenty to eat with the children. I was a little skeptical, but of course, he was correct. These parents provided so much food for their children! Plus, some parents prepared food specifically for the teachers. Unfortunately much of the food is bimpop, and I can’t eat it because it almost always has some form of shell fish. But there was plenty of fruit, crackers, and candy to go around. My only main objection to the whole day is the amount of control the other Korean teachers try to take in our day. I understand they need to be there to help, but I do not like them taking over and speaking in Korean, when I have specifically told my class what to do. Spending most my day with Gordon’s class helps a little in this because most the Korean teachers know by now not to interfere with his class. However, the few occasions I am split up from him, they try and take over and give the exact opposite directions I have given. It is frustrating because the class gets confused, and I have no idea what they saying, and we can’t communicate because they don’t speak English. It always makes me feel like they think I have no control over my class, which is not true either. I asked after the field trip if we were allowed to bring this up and Gordon said of course, but that it probably won’t change too much. It is also frustrating because my Korean helper, Liz, is amazing, and if people would just let Liz help my class and Gordon’s class like she is supposed to, then much of the confusion would not be taking place. I always feel bad bringing up these issues to the director though because then all the Korean teachers end up getting in trouble. It is a crazy system here in Korea, where they treat us foreigners amazing, but treat each other with little respect. Over all though, the day went great and my kids did an amazing job, I was very proud of them and told them on our bus ride home!