EPIK Co-teaching Video Contest Entry

EPIK (English Program in Korea) has a contest every year for the English teachers in South Korea. There are 3 categories:

1. English Co-teaching Video: contestants create a video that showcases an English Conversation Class and the methods used by Native English Teachers and their Korean co-teachers.
2. EPIK life video: contestants create a video that highlights life is Korea. They discuss teaching, food, culture, traveling, etc.. and present a picture of what it is like to live here.
3. EPIK Volunteer Essay: contestants write an essay describing any volunteer work they have done with teaching in Korea.

I love teaching and Josh loves making videos. So it seemed obvious that we had put something together for the Co-teaching category.

I chose one of my favourite classes to be recorded for the contest. They knew a week in advance that Josh would be joining and recording our lesson. Although it can be nerve racking being in front of a camera, the girls did a fantastic job participating in this lesson. Josh did an amazing job recording, editing, and composing the music for this video. Although we didn't win the video contest, working with Kate, Josh, and my students was a great experience.

The lesson we taught follows the rotating groups method highlighted in my Divide and Conquer: Four classroom management tips that work blog post. The topic lesson is titled My Story: Past, Present, and Future

For your viewing pleasure, the following video introduces my amazing Co-Teacher Sunhye Kim (Kate) and our fantastic second year girls English Conversation Class:

Summer & Winter Camp: Korean Vacations vs. N. American Breaks

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South Korean summer and winter vacations are a bit different than North American breaks. 

In Canada winter vacation means a time to relax, sleep in, watch movies, or hang out with friends. If you are ambitious and prepared, you might go skiing or build a snowman. Summer vacations are similar except the ambitious spend time on the beach, or at a lake. 

In South Korea a vacation means regular classes are replaced with specialty classes. During the "time off" students are expected to sign up for enrichment classes. Somehow these classes have been translated ‘camps’.

For me, the words "summer camp" invoke images of campfire singalongs, and late-night swimming. Similarly, "winter camp" makes me think of hitting the ski hills or going sledding. In South Korea, these words mean sitting in a classroom for 2-3 hours Monday-Friday. 

When I came to terms with this, I decided I would create the best possible experience for those students who chose to sign up for my English Camp. While following the guidelines of providing an educational experience, I tried to incorporate as much fun and freedom into my classes as possible. 

Here is an outline of my English Summer Camp:

The theme was English speaking countries.

In groups of 3-4, students were instructed to do a research project on one of the following countries: USA, Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ireland.

They had computers, poster board, construction paper, scissors, glue, crayons, pencil crayons, and markers at their disposal.

I gave them very basic guidelines of what they had to include:

•Country’s name: Capital City + Map

•Population

•Famous food

•Famous people

•Famous Music (Introduce a band or singer from your country and play one of their music videos for the class)

•Popular sports

•Tourist attractions

•Political leaders (President / Prime minister/ King / Queen )

•Any Other interesting facts!!!!

~Be prepared to present your poster to the class on Friday

~Each group member must speak during the presentation

~Presentation should be 8-10 minutes

~The best poster & presentation will be rewarded

My camp was only 2 hours: 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Several groups were so devoted to their projects they asked to continue working after class. I gave them the key to my classroom and headed to the beach. One of my students told me that her group stayed until 7:00 one night working on their project.

I created an upbeat Summer Camp Playlist on grooveshark that included some of my students’ requests. This became the soundtrack of our summer camp. Each day music would be playing for my students as they entered the room and while they worked on their posters. Class began with a fun 30 minute warm-up activity; then, my students were given the rest of the class to work on their projects.

I soon found myself amazed at the high quality projects. As far as I know, Korean students aren’t given a lot of creative freedom in their day-to-day classes. The system seems very teacher centered and test based. So -although my students weren’t used to this type of learning environment- they thrived.  

As a teacher, nothing compares to the buzz that happens when students are focused on a task they enjoy. They are having fun. They are learning. They are growing. My students proved themselves to be creative, artistic, innovative, and diligent. Witness:

Here's a video I made that shows my fabulous students in action. Music credit to John Mayer.

 The Final Products:

That's me up on the map with fellow Canadian hero's
Stephen Harper & Justin Bieber 

Rainy day in England

Russell Crowe was claimed by the NZ group

Not only were these projects an interesting way for my students to learn more about English Speaking countries, they were also great to use as informative and decorative classroom posters.

Slang-Cartoons and Social Commentary

During my first 7 months of teaching I noticed that my students often spent their free time online looking at comics. It was not uncommon for me, if I came into my classroom during break time, to find a laughing group surrounding one of the computers.

I am always looking for new ways to motivate my students in English conversation class. I have recently started dedicating a short amount of class time to teaching them slang. I have covered  the terms cool and sweet, as well as the phrases crazy about and freaking out. 

After mid-term exams the students were tired and in need of time to relax. I designed an assignment which would allow them to creatively practice using these words and phrases: In groups of 3 Design a comic strip using the four slang vocabulary words you learned this semester. Be creative. 

I turned on my new favourite grooveshark.com playlist, thanks Allieren, and put them to work.

My students didn't shy away from any of the big issues. They managed to 

• discuss the marginalization of transgender individuals 
• address the political tensions between Japan and Korea 
• highlight rejection, unfaithfulness, and suicide 
• create awareness about the dangers of vampires
• comment on the popular Korean hit Gangnam Style.

For your viewing pleasure, some of my favourite comic strips:

She-Man

 Dokdo is Korea's Island

The Younger Woman

Rejection and Suicide

 Beware of Vampires

Oppa Gangnam Style

And, last -- but not least-- a cartoon that I thought was very interesting... appropriately titled: 

 Crazy Boys

Acupuncture: My first experience with Eastern Medicine

Since moving to South Korea my diet has changed drastically. In Canada, I mainly ate diary, wheat, and fresh veggies with an occasional chicken, pork, beef, or VERY occasional seafood dish. In Korea, the diet is heavy on white rice, fermented veggies, spicy red pepper, pork, and seafood. Oh yes, and beer – or as the Koreans call it “MekJu” (맥주) – lots and lots of mekju. I have been a huge fan of Korean food and drink since I first arrived. However, recently, my stomach and my taste buds have been at odds with one another.

After 7 months my stomach decided it will no longer tolerate this diet. I have been having some digestive problems – namely acid reflux.

I am not one to suffer in silence, so after a few days of severe heartburn I made my plight known to my co-teachers. They suggested that I visit a traditional Korean doctor and see if acupuncture could bring me relief.  On day 4 of my discomfort, accompanied by my friend/co-teacher/translator, I visited an acupuncture clinic.

Heat Therapy

acupuncture

When I arrived, I told the doctor my symptoms – or rather, my co-teacher did, and then I was given a quick examination.  My suspicions were correct and the doctor confirmed that I was having a bout of acid reflux. I was told no spicy, greasy, or acidic food, no alcohol, and no caffeine. I love food and my world became a darker, sadder, more difficult place to live as each restriction was mentioned. However, I also love being pampered, so things were soon on the up-and-up because the next thing I knew I was whisked into a curtained off area and told to rest on a heated bed. Shortly after lying down and getting comfortable the nurse returned with what can only be described as a massive, steaming, hot pad. It was covered with water-proof flaps, that, if opened, would reveal steaming hot bean bag tubes.It felt very nice. After my 20-30 minute heat therapy the doctor returned and my acupuncture began. He first pinned 9 tiny needles in my stomach and then one needle in each hand, leg, and foot. The stomach and leg needles did not hurt at all. However, the needles in my hands and feet caused slight pain when they pierced my skin. An infrared light was then turned on and shifted over my stomach to “intensify” the therapy. 20 minutes later, the nurse returned and removed the needles. This part was absolutely painless. I was told to come back for the next 2-3 days and they provided me with a special powdered tea to take after each meal.

I went to the front desk to settle my bill and paid a mere 6000 won (under 6 dollars CAD). This included my check-up, heat therapy, acupuncture, and 5 days worth of post-meal tea. Not bad.

Immediately after the treatment I didn’t observe much of a difference in my condition. However, after being home for an hour or so I noticed, for the first time in days, my chest wasn’t on fire.

The next morning, I was feeling significantly better – but still not 100%. I returned to the clinic in the afternoon for treatment #2. This time Josh was able to come, get a close look at the mysteries of acupuncture, and keep me company. We took some pictures and even snapped one of the doctor inserting the needles. He was not pleased about that and shortly after he left an assistant came to visit us and ask us to delete any pictures of the doctor – which we respectfully agreed to do. Sorry Doctor.

In total, I had 4 treatments, and I felt better after each one.

Perhaps I would have felt better after a few days regardless. Or, perhaps, it is the main contributor to my current good health. Who knows? What I will say is that I enjoyed experiencing this ‘alternative’ type of medicine that offered me treatment sans pharmaceuticals. The worst side effects of acupuncture are the possibility of small bruises – which, of course, pale in comparison to the fine print side-effects of almost any over-the-counter drug.   

Further reading:

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/Acupuncture_and_Acid_Reflux

http://www.ehow.com/video_7343319_acupuncture-acid-reflux.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupuncture

Korean L'Abri: A Vibrant Christian Community in Gangwon-do

While living in South Korea, Josh and I have made it a priority to see the country and engage the culture as much as possible. During Chuseok, the Korean equivalent to North American Thanksgiving, we had five days off. We took this time to travel to the beautiful Gangwon Province and visit Yangyang, a small town nestled in the Taebaek mountains, home of Korean L'Abri.

I am somewhat of a L'Abri junkie and this will be the fourth L'Abri I have visited along with the Swiss, the Dutch, and the Canadian branches. Josh has also become fond of the L'Abri community and is well on his way to sharing this healthy addiction with me. We have a special place in our hearts for this community because we were married at Canadian L'Abri on Bowen Island in 2011.

To give a bit of background, L'Abri is an open-minded Christian Community that was founded by Francis and Edith Schaeffer. It began in the 1950's in a small village in the Swiss Alps and L'Abris have sprung up all over the globe since that time. A person from any belief system or background is welcome to come, study, discuss, and grapple with the basic and important questions of life. The community's primary function is to engage and discuss rather than convert.

While studying and living at L'Abri, students and L'Abri workers eat meals, do chores, watch movies, and live together in a very familial way. There is also plenty of time to study in the quiet environment that is provided and also enough free time to spend time in nature, bond with fellow students, play music, and be creative. Students who study at L'Abri for a week or more are assigned a tutor who they can discuss their studies with and any philosophical, religious, or personal questions that may arise.

The cedar treehouse: A great place 

to study, pray, and meditate.

A beautiful study area 

The Musician

L'Abri is by far the best Christian community I have experienced. This community is hospitable and welcoming rather than exclusive and condemning. While studying at L'Abri Christians are encouraged to engage culture and understand it in an honest way rather than hide from it. I really enjoy spending time at L'Abri because I have found the communities to be open and the people who visit to be very thoughtful and engaging.

Our 3 day stay was rejuvenating. The building and people were very welcoming. We enjoyed many delicious meals and interesting conversations over the Chuseok holiday. We were treated with the utmost consideration regarding, and in spite of, the language barrier. We were very fortunate to be surrounded by Koreans who spoke English and when Korean discussions did take place, someone always translated.

For anyone who has visited L'Abri before I would highly recommend Korean L'Abri as a place to go and enjoy a very Korean version of the community. It is also a great place to visit for anyone interested in exploring the Christian faith. And, to all those Christian ex-pats who have had difficulty finding a church or Christian community in South Korea - this is fantastic place to go for rejuvenation and Christian community. 


Further Reading: Here is a short video we made describing Korean L'Abri. Enjoy.

Korean Food Delivery

Ordering delivery is South Korea may be one of the grandest experiences I know. I'm no fan of disposable dishes/cutlery. I hate feeling wasteful. However, I never feel this way when I order Korean delivery. Why? Because it arrives in real dishes.

Tonight we ordered bibimbap for two. After making the call, we waited little more than 5 minutes before our bell rang announcing the arrival of our nom-noms (yum-yums). When I opened the door the delivery man unpacked his insulated container and laid out our supper: two bowls of bibimbap, two small bowls of soup, a bowl of rice, kimchi, and pickled radish... all served on proper kitchenware (spoons included!)

All the dishes are covered in plastic wrap so they stay fresh while making their trip to our apartment.

Upon finishing out delicious Korean fast food feast, we piled our dishes together, opened our front door and set them in the hallway. When you order delivery in Korea you don't do the dishes. The delivery person comes and picks up your mess. Very convenient.

dirty dishes

When you are too tired to make dinner, or even to go out for it, Korean delivery is the way to go: your food arrives quickly, it's hot, it's delicious, it's healthy, and the only thing you have to do is eat it. Another bonus is that if you can't finish your meal you can save it for the morning - there is nothing like fried bibimbap mixed with kimchi for breakfast.   

Breakfast of Champions

For more information on Korea Food Delivery, check out this video by Eat Your Kimchi: 

Jimjillbang: The Korean Public Bath

My artistic interpretation of the jimjillbang symbol. These symbols are all over Korea and they indicate a jimjillbang is near.

Jimjillbangs (찜질방) are Korean public bathing houses. As a person who loves the spa, but rarely indulges in such lavishness, I found this inexpensive Korean recreation enticing. Although I am a pro-jimjillbanger now, my first excursion was a little confusing. I hope the following piece will help make your first time getting naked and bathing with, possibly, 100+ others a positive experience.

Jimjillbang means hot-water-room. However, it's much more than that. They have baths, showers, massage tables, saunas, steam rooms, and mud rooms in what is called a mok-yok-tang. The term Jimjillbang actually refers to the building which usually has a bathing floor, a game floor, an eatery, and a sleeping area*. Men and women are separated and they bathe/sleep separately. Koreans are familial. Middle-aged women take their old mothers and help them bath and relax. Young mothers take their babies and let them splash around with their siblings. Teenagers go with their friends** and I always find that we foreigners are welcomed in a spirit of kinship.

*Travellers on a budget take note of this inexpensive option for shelter over night.

**While discussing pastimes in conversation class one of my students said he enjoyed showering with his friends. Although I was initially taken aback by this comment, I now believe he was referring to visiting the jimjillbang.

Etiquette & Materials: Come Prepared

My beautiful blue jimjillbang basket

Mok-yok-tangs are for bathing. Of course, you will also be indulging in mineral baths and saunas and perhaps, if you are adventurous, a massage. But firstly, in order to keep the environment pure and chlorine free, you should get clean. Although communal soap is provided, you may want to bring your personal favourite, natural, organic, handmade soap. You may also need shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush & toothpaste, perhaps a facial mask, foot scrubbers are always nice, a razor, a loufa, a comb, and something nice to drink like juice or milk* (water is provided). Worried about trucking all these things around and then packing them up all wet to go home? Never fear. Since this is such a prominent part of Korea culture plastic baskets are made especially to tote around your jimjillbang items.

* Milk is not just delicious it is also great for your skin. I have observed jimjillbangers filling their basins with milk and doing a body scrub with it. 

Arrival

Say “mok-yok-tang” and the clerk will know you are only using the baths and will not charge you the additional sleeping fee or give you lounge clothes. If you choose to spend the night and don't speak Korean you can indicate that by making sleeping gestures and they should get the idea.

In either case, you will be given a wrist band for your locker. Women are given 2 small towels and men are given one. On my first visit, I made the mistake of going all the way to my locker...shoes in hand. I was followed by a head shaking attendant who proceeded to show me where I should have parted with them. Now that you are informed this should be pretty obvious...

Now take your clothes off, stow them in your locker, and get ready to bathe. If it's not too busy you should be able to get a sitting shower. These go fast. On a busy Sunday, if you arrive at peak times, you may be stuck standing: this is not as relaxing.

If there is a free sitting shower stool, wash it off with the communal soap. Scrub your skin. Shampoo and condition your hair. Get nice and clean so you don't contaminate the baths.

Now For The Good Part

At the Jimjillbang in our town I like to start off in the big hot tub. You can sit on the outside ledges or move in and splash around in the jets. Next, I usually go to the cold tub. This is a deep bath with powerful jets and really cold water pouring down from the ceiling. It is very refreshing after 10 minutes in the hot tub. After getting cooled off, I move to the really hot tub: It's smaller, hotter, and jet-less. It's scalding and, if you're like me, you will turn a fresh-out-of-the-pot-lobstery red. This is, at first, painful; but it gets better, and eventually it should become almost bearable, even enjoyable. I have been told this bath is very good for women. Moving back and forth from cold tub to hot tub is similar to a sitz bath which encourages the blood to flow in therapeutic ways. It is relaxing to follow this up with a more temperate bath.

After the baths, I enjoy the saunas. There is a marble one where you can lie or nap on the warm stone floor before moving to the so-hot-it-may-kill-you wooden benched sauna. Please be sure to rinse off after each visit.

Post-sauna is a great time to exfoliate: your skin will be very soft and any dead pieces will be easily scrubbed away. Korean women scrub the crap out of each other: They take exfoliation seriously, painfully seriously. Someone may even offer to give your back a scrub - bare in mind - the philosophy is: "I scrub your back, you scrub mine".

Getting Ready

Jimjillbangs are great places to get ready for a night out. There are scales, mirrors, hairdryers, straighteners, curling irons, combs, brushes, q-tips, cotton swabs, lotions, and hair products. You can also take your own beautifying equipment*. Of course, if you are heading home you can simply throw in the towel, get dressed, return your bracelet lock, and go on your way.

* For you men: My sources tell me that aftershave, refreshing skin lotion, and hair gel are provided.

Jimjillbangs are one of my favourite aspects of Korean culture. They provide an easy, inexpensive, and enjoyable way to relax after a long hard day at school. A trip to the jimillbang will set you back 5000 won (under 5 dollars CAD) and you can stay as long as you wish.

My Favourite Jimjillbang Story

Korean Hospitality: We are family

For our first visit to Seoul, we decided to stay the night at a very famous JimJillbang near Yongsan Station (Korea's Grand Central). This place is called Yongsan Dragon Hill Spa. I can't recommend this place enough, especially if you live outside of Seoul and need a cheap place to spend the night. We arrived with a group of friends late Saturday night (after 2:00am). For 12000 won(under 12 dollars CAD) we were provided with a place to sleep and a lovely way to wind down after a long night.

The place was packed. I loved the idea of sleeping in a room with grandmothers, mothers, babies, teenagers, and those in the gaps between. It really seemed like Korea was one big family. And although sleeping in a room with a group of strangers didn't bother me, being in anything other than 100% darkness did.

Struggling to find something to block out the light, I saw a lady and, in her hand, a mask. I approached her and, in broken Korean combined with gestures, asked her where one could purchase such a coveted item. Without hesitating she offered me her own. I tried to explain that I just wanted to buy one. A young bilingual girl nearby explained to me that the lady wanted to give me her mask “so you can sleep well – it is a gift”.

I love Koreans and I still sleep with that lovely mask and memory every night.