Blog Challenge

After talking to Bri recently, she mentioned in 2014 she would be adding a picture a day to her blog. She challenged me to do the same. I'm realistic, and said maybe a post a week would be more feasible for me. So here goes, my 2014 blog challenge of a post a week starts now.  

I haven't posted much about teaching on here, so I'll sneak in a quick one. Lately I have been teaching many different types of classes. Private academies, jobs at students homes, and at office buildings. This includes elementary students, a business executive, and a doctor. I didn't get pictures of all my students, just the students whose homes I go to.

Clockwise from top left: Ethan, Audrey, Jenna and Junie.
Note these are not their real names, just names for English learning.

Ethan and Audrey are brother and sister, age 4 and 2 I believe.  I work mostly with Ethan, and I 'm still amazed kids this young are learning their second language.  Ethan already does so well, his vocabulary amazes me, and he can put together simple sentences.  I don't work as much with Audrey, but she already has a small vocabulary and can count to 10.  Ethan has also begun taking violin lessons.  One of the busiest 4 year olds I know.  This is in addition to the English kindergarten he attends.

Junie and Jenna are school friends; they are about 6 years old. Side note, I'm unsure of the kids actual ages because Koreans count age different than we do. Everyone adds a year to their age on January 1. And thus everyone is 1 or 2 years older than the way we count it, depending when you're actual birthday is. For example, I am actually 30 years old, but in Korean age I am 32. A 2 year difference until June 25 when I turn 31, and it goes down to a 1 year difference. I know, it's confusing.  

Anyway, these two girls are at a lower English level than Ethan. It is very challenging working with these two girls due to the lack of communication. If I want them to do something I have to physically act it out so they can follow my instructions.

My current schedule is nice because it allows me to work with individuals and small groups.  It's easier to make a difference and see the progress the students make.  Also it's nice to get a mix of kids and adults.  Each class has different needs, and different goals.  So while it keeps me busy making so many different plans, the variety is nice.