The Best Writing Class Ever

At the beginning of the semester, I was told I would be teaching a level 97 writing class (96 is the bottom and they learn ABCs, 103 is the top). I was scared. Teaching 13 kids (who can barely read or speak) to write sounded like a nightmare.

I approached the first day with determination... and a good amount of dread. But I soon had them wrapped around my finger, and I actually came to really enjoy the class. The kids were brilliant, and I never seemed to run out of tricks to keep them focused and working. We would get through about 4 pages in the workbook each day. That's ten minutes per page. Like I said, I had to get creative.

Today I had to say good-bye, it was our last day together. I took their photos to remember them. Here are a few of the famous 13...

5 Second Rule

The other day I walked into my special class and they were eating BBQ chicken. They made sure to give me a piece. I decided to save it, so I wrapped it in paper. Later, as I was leaving the class, I bent down to pick up a book and the chicken suddenly slid out of the paper and onto the floor. Annie was standing next to me.... she yelled "Oh no!" and then started counting.... "1, 2, 3, 4", she frantically picked up the chicken. "It's still good!" we cried together. "Only 4 seconds!" Apparently they've got the 5 second rule here too. Of course, I ate the chicken.


The younger kids I teach are so funny. Sometimes I come to class and find them all hiding under their desks, as if I can't see their little shoes down there. Or they hide behind the door.
One time, I said, "Oh no, where's my class? I guess I'll have to eat these cookies by myself..." At that they all popped their little heads out of hiding. I yelled triumphantly, "Ha! Got you!"

A Swingin' Place

I did it! I found a swing club! It's at a place called the "Boogie Woogie". It was awesome. It was so much like the places I went to in the states. Great music, tons of dancers, and no alcohol. I had a great time trying to remember all of my moves. On the bus ride home, I couldn't stop thinking about moves I had forgotten. The nice thing is that I don't need to speak Korean to dance. You just dance. Swing is a social thing so you switch partners every song. I hope to meet many interesting people.

I dragged some of my Korean friends along (Christina and Min). They didn't even know swing clubs existed in Korea. I had a fun time teaching them. Christina is a natural! She was a pro in minutes.

I also believe I was tested by one of the swing instructors. Moments after I arrived, a lady snatched me up... asked in English if I knew the 8 count (which I did) and then we danced. Then she introduced me to a friend for me to dance with (and her friend was an amazing dancer). I wonder if I passed her test. I was a little nervous because it has been almost 7 months since I did any swing dance.

I learned they have a dance every day of the week. I'll have to pace myself so I don't burn out.

I plan to be a regular at the Boogie Woogie.