Too Busy

2008 is off to a more than busy start. Korean public schools are on their winter break until the end of February, so our school is offering extra English classes. Elementary and middle school kids who usually come to our school 2 hours a day, 2-3 days a week are now coming for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. It's hard to keep track of the constant coming and going of kids throughout the day.

I'm teaching a special writing course for my bilingual 3rd-5th graders during our Winter Intensive and am so impressed by their progress even in this short time. I'm pushing them hard to develop their writing skills, and so far, they're rising to the challenge. Today, however, my 3rd-4th graders were acting burnt out and zombie-like, so I only assigned two sentences for homework. I usually assign a page of writing everyday. It amazes me how accustomed I've become to the Korean educational system--that I assign substantial homework, knowing their other teachers are doing the same, on their vacation. I sometimes need to remind myself that respecting Korean culture and trying to adapt to it doesn't mean I have to give up my own Western understanding that play time is an essential part of childhood, and Korean kids seem to get far too little of it.

I want to challenge my students to do their best, but I don't want to see them burnt out. I don't want them to become so hardened by tedium that they start to shut down that natural childlike curiosity that makes them such eager learners in the first place. I want my students to be confident readers, writers, speakers, and listeners but not at the expense of their enthusiasm. That balance can be a challenge to achieve, especially given the competitive nature of the educational culture here, but that's my goal as the person who has been trusted with this portion of their education.