Entry 17: Dancing

Kindergarten
Chris,Julia, Sara, Sunny

3rd Grade
Andrew, Sam, Tony, John, Julie, Ginny, Rachael

4th Grade:
Julia, Eugene, Brian, Jenny, Junior King, Olleh, Kelly, Shine, Judith, Steven


6th Grade:
Ken, Luke, Amy, Julia, Max, Kevin, Ryan, Kai, Belle, Emily

These are the names that I remember from the classes that I have taught so far. I am meeting the 5th graders today and the 1st and 2nd graders tomorrow. I will post pictures because these kids are way to cute and funny. The kindergarteners are pretty much babies that can walk and talk. They are a bit taller than my knee and I'm afraid they will trip over their unsure legs as they run around the school.

Although the training at Kyung Hee and at Freya was long and tedious, I still feel that it was a shock as to how hard it is teaching English to kids that have no idea what English is. For my K-4th graders, even the simple command of "repeat after me" leaves a dumb founded look on their face. Of course, I expected them to not be proficient in their English abilities, but to teach this class without using Korean? I think it will be nearly impossible, especially since the teachers at 광판 elementary school don't speak English. Teaching is extremely fun and rewarding, but this comes at the cost of being exhausted when I get home. Doing lesson plans, trying to teach English with minimal Korean knowledge, having teachers watch me every time I teach (most English teachers get their own class room, but I don't so I have to move from class to class, and interestingly, the teacher just sits there and watches me teach), and the fact that I'm in Korea really take a toll on me.

It is interesting how some days I feel as if my Korean is improving by leaps and bounds and then the exact opposite at other times. I feel like my Korean is as good as my dancing. For those of you who know me and have seen me dance, you will understand how uneducated my Korean is. In the same way that I can watch someone dance and appreciate the beauty in it, I find beauty in the Korean language. Sadly, I do not know what it feels like to "pop" or "lock" or do one of those fancy "pirouettes", I would not know where to begin. Similarly, my Korean lacks the fluency and flair that natives possess. But I'm here, learning how to speak, learning how to crawl and stand on my own two feet slowly watching others spin around flawlessly, as I learn how to touch my toes. I fall down a considerable amount these days, especially when talking with adults. They expect a certain degree of proficiency when speaking in Korean, something to do with my blood, my very Korean blood. It is almost as if, because my parents are able to dance a waltz, I should also be proficient.

I am trying and learning, day by day. Interestingly, I know a dance that these people only know slightly, English. I get to start from scratch with these kids. Teaching them how to pronounce the letter "f" correctly, making sure that they do not confuse "v" for "b" and correcting them when they mistake "Judith" and say "Judas". In English, I can roam freely. I am no Shakespeare or Whitman, but there is a certain comfort in moving in your own language, and I want these kids to realize that it is ok to trip and fall, that it is perfectly acceptable for them to stumble and scrape their knees. Look at me, I'm a 20 year old student who stumbles in Korean every day.

I can't dance and I can barely speak Korean, but I know someone who does both pretty well.

So go see Eunice perform with Texas' Best Dance Crew, Redefined Dance Company, this Friday September 4th at 7:00pm. I know that a lot of people have church that Friday, but consider going to watch Eunice dance. I know that she would dance that much harder if you were there. Get there early to get good seats. Hogg Auditorium. Do ittttttt. Free Admission.

(I've seen their routine, and its legit)

Host:	RUSH OMEGA PHI GAMMA Fall 2009
Type:	Music/Arts - Performance
Price:	FREE ADMISSION

Date:	Friday, September 4, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Hogg Memorial Auditorium (behind FAC)