An emotional week.

This week has definitely been the most challenging so far, and definitely an emotional roller coaster. I started teaching on Tuesday. In my school there are three grades of middle school students (1st grade, 2nd grade, and 3rd grade middle school). There are four sections in each grade. Each week I will teach the 2nd and 3rd graders once and the 1st graders twice. Each group has it's own challenge. 1st grade is very excited to be in English class, and has so much energy, and actually still want to learn English. However, their English ability if very low. 2nd grade still has a lot of energy, but don't necessarily want to use it to learn English. 3rd grade is a very low energy level age. They are so tired and want to sleep all of the time (I will talk more about why this is later). For the most part, teaching was good this week. I'm still new, and the students still want to talk to the foreigner, which is a definite plus. With each grade I also have a different co-teacher, which is also a challenge. The 3rd grade co-teacher wants me to teach directly out of the book (which is boring for students, as well as myself and isn't really how American's talk). The 2nd grade teacher wants me to teach the material that is in the book, but I can teach it however I want. This is pretty cool, as I can use games for learning. The 1st grade teacher wants me to teacher wants me to use the book part of the time, then make lessons over whatever I want for part of the time. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out.
Before I came to Korea, I had read about their educational system, and about how serious Koreans are about education. However, until I started living with a host family, I didn't realize how true it was. My sister and brother leave for school at 8 am like me. I get done teaching at 2:30, but they still go to school until 4:30. At 4:30 they go directly to "hagwon" (it is the equivalent of school/academy). They finally get done with this at 7 p.m. Then on Tuesday and Friday, they have an English tutor come to their apartment from 8-1030 pm. Between all of this, they also have their homework. Every other Saturday the students have school from 8-11 am. My host siblings also have "hagwon" for two hours on both Sat. and Sun.! It is no wonder that the students are tired during school! There is so much stress and pressure put on the students here to be high achievers. They have to do well on the tests to get into the "right" high school, so that they can get into the "right" college.
The emotional rollercoaster was really prevalent this week. My family, co-teachers, and students are all great. I really like spending time with them. However, my family is gone A LOT and so then I start to get lonely/homesick. It is weird, because one I'll be great and loving it here, and the next I will be so lonely and ready to go home. To help solve these feelings, I am trying to stay busy. I am jogging every evening, as well as playing piano. I am also looking into archery and kayaking. Right now, I feel like I'm on the up, and am learning how to deal. I know that this year will be full of these roller coaster feelings. Overall, I know that I am lucky to be here, and want to enjoy and make the most of my year in Korea!