Saeseogwi (Sa-So-Gee) Elementary School is the first school that I was assigned to work at here on Jeju. Last semester I worked here full time as did another Native English teacher named Ali. This semester I split my time between two schools. I am only at Saeseogwi 3 days a week.
The school is comparable to elementary schools in the US. There are 601 total students here. In fact there is a huge chalkboard in the teachers main work room that shows the break down of each grade and each class by gender. We have 317 males and 284 females.
Each grade at this school has three classes. For example: 1-1 means First Grade Class One, 1-2 is First Grade Class Two, and 1-3 is First Grade Class Three. The class sizes are larger. The largest grade is 3rd. It has 40 students in each class.
Third grade is my favorite. I am not sure if it is because I have them the most or because the students are just that great. It must be because I have them the most! Ha ha ha. In two of the sections I feel that I am zoo keeper more than a teacher. I am fortunate enough to have an amazing co-teacher, Mrs. Kim. She really is a great teacher who is excited and dedicated to learning English.
Ali is the other native English teacher at this school. He is now in his second year of teaching. Ali is from Canada. This semester he still works full time at Saeseogwi.
Saeseogwi Elementary has been chosen for the English Pilot program. In a way that makes it a special research school. For me it means more work and preparation at times. We have what are called "open" classes. This is where teachers from our school and other schools come and watch one of our classes. It is on no way a natural class however. My Korean co-teachers practice how the class will go over and over again with the students. It is almost as if it is scripted. I am not a fan of this method at all. It does not represent the struggles of having co-teachers and just teaching a foreign language in general. Plus the kids act like angels during these "open" classes and that is not how they really are either! Ha ha ha.
Next semester I might be moved to another school, but I don't think that I will. The school can keep me if they want and so far they have kept both Ali and I. Enjoy the pictures. The view of the playground, World Cup Stadium, and ocean is from my desk! AMAZING
