Camp over .... So glad

HIYA!

Man, of the 4 camps I've done so far, this one was the mostest toppest. I never did get the respect of all the kids. Some of them, I would say respected me, but maybe 5 of the 10 didn't respect me.

I'm not saying this from a standpoint of a disaffected and emotionally hurt teacher. No. It seems to me super important to have the kids' respect. Without that, what can you do? And I was pretty paralyzed.

There were so many times when the kids weren't cooperating that I'd say to myself, "So what. Let it go. Right? Isn't this my advice to myself and to others all the time? Why should it be so hard to follow now?" But for some reason, nothing would do it. Most of the time anyway, I just wouldn't give in to letting go.

The last week or so was a joke. But enough of that.

I'm sure the work at the private English language school that I'll start working at on or before September 5th won't be anything like what I just went through the past four weeks. Couldn't be. Nobody'd learn anything. It isn't just my performance or technique in class that was lacking. It's mostly the students. Thing is, I couldn't find the way into them; couldn't find a way to motivate them to study, or to listen to me, to pay attention to me, or pretty much anything.

I've talked with the owner of the school and he says the kids are motivated and good students. Of course he's going to say that, right?! But I have had some real open talks - via email - with this man, and I believe 90% of what he says.

I've told him - his name is Mun Song-il - that I'd like to start no sooner than Sept 5th. He only yesterday or the day before said he'd really like it if I could start sooner. Maybe.

I really didn't have any complaints about the school. There were things that I saw that didn't go well, things that I feel ought to change, and I made my opinions heard in a positive way. I never felt like complaining. Several others complained an awful lot. What a pity. Oh well. The Academic Supervisor handled her job as well as I could expect. Did a terrific job in my opinion, considering all that she had to do. Every camp I've done has had lots of disorganization and everything. This one was good in some ways, not so good in other ways. All in all, this was a good one except that the class I had was the class from hell! By the way, in case anyone's interested, this was the KBS SKY English camp.

I'll write more about where I am now in another entry.

Troy.