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I taught my first literature class today. Talk about flying by the seat of my pants. So there I was, lightly armed with a half read copy of Dracula by Bram Stoker and the Sparknotes printed off the internet. Definitely insufficient for the three hour class I was supposed to teach to some really high level students. Plus, literature is a real subject. Being an English teacher in Korea is kind of a joke and does not actually require any teaching qualifications beyond being a citizen of an English speaking country, so having to teach a real class was kind of scary.

Luckily it went very well. If you add a quiz at the beginning, you kill 20 min easy, writing an essay at the end plus peer editing exercises takes care of another 45 min. Then all you need is 10 min on Stoker, 10 min on writing style (epistolary, just in case any of you were wondering) , 10 min on the characters, 10 min on the plot, 10 min on themes and symbols, 30 min for a discussion and debate with the students, and 2 five minute breaks. BAM a 3 hour literature class!

OMG so Korean education is so freakin rediculously brutal that kids don't even get to enjoy their winter and summer vacations.

Let me explain.

In addition to public school, kids usually attend private cram schools that specialize in various subjects. (Mine specializes in English) This means that after school, kids actaully go to MORE school to supplement their education. They do this as early as elementary school. I suspect the reason for this is that college admissions are quite competitive with only three or four "Ivy league" schools that everybody wants to go to.

Anyway, when public school takes a break in winter and in summer like in the US, instead of relaxing and enjoying their free time, kids attend the private cram schools even more!

Poor bastards. What really suck about that though.....is that means I have to work more....I don't get to enjoy winter vacation either!!!!! BAH!