Schedule Changeeee

It was bound to happen at some point, after all I was having such a good week.

I was expecting a schedule change today as the Korean government schools closed for the summer, so the children can all get to the hagwon earlier and as a result finish earlier. Everyone’s a winner right? Me, not so much. I am sure in a couple of weeks I will read this back and realise I am just being a big moanster. But at this moment in time I just want to have a bit of a moan, so indulge me.

I have a nice routine, some great classes (see “A Typical Day….”), “three strikes and you’re out” is working wonders with most of the problem kids, and I have finally started taking some Korean lessons. All in all I was having a good week. Then today happened and it’s like I am back at the start.

I got to work early to do some planning and I was sat at my desk for half an hour before my Grade One class started. The first bell rang and I went to get the register only to get two text books thrust into my face along with a mention of “new students” and no explanation. Great, I was finally allowed to move the girls onto the next Fun Fun English book and now we have to go back to start. Maybe it was just first day nerves, but the newbies barely know the alphabet! This does not bode well for my favourite class. I offered to teach two classes, so I can bring the new kids level, but that idea when down like a lead balloon. Now I have to start back at the beginning and contend with some very bored 8 year old girls.

Next, my evening classes, the middle school class and the mixed age elementary class, have been cancelled. Christina, my co-ordinator and Korean teacher, is no longer going to be teaching English so they will stop bringing the students from the other academy. I was told not to worry though, I would be given a new schedule.

Like I have mentioned before, this whole experience is making me very flexible-change is inevitable and if everything stayed the same life would be very boring. But, why does it always have to happen at the last minute? There’s no way the new students (who are 9) were just walking past the academy and thought to themselves “You know, today would be a good day to learn English,” because like I said earlier, they barely know the alphabet. Equally, cancelling lessons is normally not an overnight decision-I would have liked to plan some fun little goodbye lessons, brought my camera, sweets and had one last laugh with the kids.

I know that a lot of it is just part of the Korean culture and mentality, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. It’s also something I will just have to get used to, because I am sure that it will keep happening. I do have a very good deal here, and despite my moaning I do really appreciate it, plus some of my Korean co-workers are finally warming to me. I am just gutted my favourite class is going to become my most frustrating, and just when I get to know the kids the carpet is pulled from under me and I will have to start all over again with new students. Still as a friend pointed out, at least I am not getting locked in cupboards and being constantly insulted (at least not in English!) like some teachers in the UK. Always look on the bright side……