Weekly Meeting and Some Korean TV

We had our meeting with Julia this morning.  Ian and I each had two classes filmed this week and when we walked into the meeting, one of Ian's videos was up on the screen.  We watched bits and pieces of our videos and Julia commented on them.  She didn't really say anything damning, but she didn't really praise us either.  Typical Julia and her complete lack of actually communicating anything.  Apparently, Julia wants a video of us using the books (we didn't for our Halloween unit), so we get to do this again next week.  Goody.  Yoon's disinterest in the actual learning of their students is pretty discouraging.  As long as the school looks good (and the terrible books the company puts out do too) and the parents think they are spending their money wisely, nothing else matters.

The meeting was going very well until Ian and I brought up our comments and questions.  Long story short: our idea of older students helping younger students is impossible, the concept of a daily report for each class is terribly confusing for her and we need to provide her with an example, and I need to lug a laptop to Ha So if I want a convenient computer.  We also found out that Ian is being moved to a small room at Go Am to make room for a new teacher.  All the Korean teachers have their own desks with a computer and all their permanent books and materials set up.  No one touches or moves their things, not even the students.  Ian and I do not have this concrete space at work.  My tiny officed at Ha So is the closest I've come, but the students still go in their and I don't feel comfortable leaving anything out.  I know that Koreans don't have the same work environment philosophies as Americans, but how are we supposed act valuable if we don't feel valuable.

In short, my Korean job is ruining my Korean experience.  But, it must be said that I love the kids I work with.  If it weren't for them, I'm not sure how I'd do it.  They make it worth it, I only hope I can actually help them through all the obstacles.

Enough of Debbie Downer!  Here is some Korean children's programming to amuse yourself with.  Below is pretty typical of what we see on 10% of our channels.

And then there's the entire channel dedicated to the game Star Craft.  Whoever made this You Tube video was a bit shakey, so I apologize.

Well, good night!