3.13.2009

Teacher Mode.

I've noticed that at the end of the working week, when I have my inevitable Friday meeting with Mags, it's a little hard at first to turn off Teacher Mode. This irritates Mags to no end. So tonight, I vow to do my best to stay away from the phrases, "Stop!", "Where are you going?", and "What are you doing?", anytime Mike moves, breathes, or walks in an unexpected direction.

You've got my word, Kachi. And my balls and my word is alls I have. And I don't break 'em for nobody.

Happy Five Months, by the way.

Today I had the only two classes that didnt' go so well last week. The first one were like a cluster of statues, and I couldn't get them to budge for the life of me. Had lunch afterward and my coteacher asked if I was upset about that class -- I guess I went a bit moody afterward. She said, you know they are just good students -- they sit and listen quietly. Yeah, I know, and that would be great if I were teaching them algebra or not me, but a. I need them to communicate with me so that I know they are understanding what I'm saying and b. I'm a big insecure attention whore at heart, and when my classes don't end up being super fun time, with everyone chattering and shouting out their English, I feel really shit about it. I can't help it.

Anyway, after lunch I had to face an even worse class. I made up my mind, in my off period, that I was going to turn it around, come hell or high water. If you don't get a class on your side early on, you've more than likely lost them for good.

We got started in class, and it was the same ol', same ol': heads down on desks, mutter mutter mutter.

That's when I decided it was time to have a little conversation called, "Me too".

"Hey guys. Look at me. Look at me! Listen.... are you tired?"

"Neh!"

"Are you cold?"

"Neh!"

"Do you want to go home?"

"Neh!"

"Guess what? Me too. I'm tired. I'm cold. I want to go home. It's Friday. We have all been here five days. We all want the weekend. We have two hours to go. All together, right? All the same, right?"

"Right."

"Okay. So, listen. We will work together, okay? We will finish and then we will go home. Okay?"

"Okay."

Guess what? It fucking worked. They sat up, cheered up and bucked up. We ended class a little early, skipping over the part where they have to read their exercises in front of the class, and talked about what we wanted to do with the weekend instead. I wanted to make sure I sealed the deal, though, so before I went, I told them, "Look, guys. I know you are tired today. But you did a good job. Thank you very much. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Teacher!"

No, guys. Thank you.

<3

5 comments:

MikejGrey said...

Five months.

Nearly halfway there.

Two electronic catastrophes for me so far. Probably shouldn't sat that, huh?

Tasha might be able to fix my ipod when she comes. Apparently she can do anything.

I'm no Picasso said...

I'd believe it. Your lady is amazing.

MikejGrey said...

So what's on tap for today?

I'm no Picasso said...

Cassuh? :D

I dunno. Just got out of the shower, finishing laundry....

I gotta get some clothes but I don't wanna. What do you wanna do? Any bright ideas?

MikejGrey said...

I dunno. Do you wanna try hongdae today? Or go to the lotte?