I got called in yesterday to stand-in for some teachers here at the hakwon (Korean for private school) ... I had to teach a class with an 11-year old and a class for a 16-year old (so they were more like back-to-back tutoring sessions).

I was pretty excited ... the material was pretty easy, so I'm guessing the wonjangneem (headmaster, sort of) was just letting me get into the groove of teaching (since I had never taught before).

The kids here are pretty bright, but I think they're taking too much of a mechanical view of English. They can read the words very well, but they don't quite comprehend what the words mean... the 16-year old could read Animal Farm, but when I would ask a question about the subject matter, he would just stammer and look at me.

I get to teach SAT Math and SAT Verbal (and some SAT US History) ... I think teaching the math section will be pretty straightforward, but I want to really make an impact on the verbal section. The subject material moves very quickly, and I think I might have to do some 1 on 1 sessions with a bunch of the slower students, but I'm honestly relishing the idea. I'm only getting salaried for 6 hours/day for 4 days, but I think I'll be working more (not that I particularly care...). I really want to do this hakwon a service by doing my best... and most of all I want to help these Korean kids excel on the SAT.

I just took the SAT again, and scored slightly below my high school score ... at least I still have retained some of that knowledge :)

Now to go prepare for Monday's class.. SO EXCITED! =)