Round 2
My extended absences from blogging usually result from 1) either not having enough time or 2) pure laziness. This most recent time was a combination of the two. But let’s just focus on the more honorable reason, if it can even be considered ‘honorable’.
I thought my second semester teaching at the university would be easier than the first, since I’d already have all my lesson plans done and would just repeat what I did the first semester. Well, seeing how only two of my classes are the same subject from before, that was a foolish notion. However, I did have two of my classes completely reassigned during the second week of the semester, so I do have some sort of an excuse. I went from two easy Beginner Conversation classes (which I had last semester) to two Employment English classes. These classes involve writing resumes and cover letters as well as interviewing (all in English, of course). Considering my past job history, I do have quite a bit of experience in these areas (although my success in such endeavors may be up for debate). Regardless, I’ve had my hands full figuring out what to teach and how.
As for my Technical Writing class, it’s been chewing me up and spitting me out in little bite-size Cory-Oh cookies (I just made fun of myself using a nickname I’ve despised since childhood). I spend a minimum of 3 hours prepping for each class. Usually more. However, I have succeeded in reducing my class size. Now, why would I want to reduce my class size? Well, I don’t want to have students who are not ready to take the class or who don’t even really want to take the class. Plus, grading a dozen or so papers every week is just way too much work. So, after administering a wrathful grammar quiz, a merciless style quiz, and finally a doomsayer’s warning that many students will in all likelihood fail the course, I put my scythe to rest to find that my mighty swing has indeed scattered the timid and tested the steadfast. Of the 15, only 6 remain. I actually wasn’t trying to cut out that many…maybe 5 at the most. Maybe I shouldn’t have sharpened my blade so much…
Anyways, to sum up, I’ve been doing nothing but work. And study Korean. 4 hours of Korean each day, then 3 hours of teaching, then office hours, then another few hours of prep. Then sleep. Life is no fun.
I thought my second semester teaching at the university would be easier than the first, since I’d already have all my lesson plans done and would just repeat what I did the first semester. Well, seeing how only two of my classes are the same subject from before, that was a foolish notion. However, I did have two of my classes completely reassigned during the second week of the semester, so I do have some sort of an excuse. I went from two easy Beginner Conversation classes (which I had last semester) to two Employment English classes. These classes involve writing resumes and cover letters as well as interviewing (all in English, of course). Considering my past job history, I do have quite a bit of experience in these areas (although my success in such endeavors may be up for debate). Regardless, I’ve had my hands full figuring out what to teach and how.
As for my Technical Writing class, it’s been chewing me up and spitting me out in little bite-size Cory-Oh cookies (I just made fun of myself using a nickname I’ve despised since childhood). I spend a minimum of 3 hours prepping for each class. Usually more. However, I have succeeded in reducing my class size. Now, why would I want to reduce my class size? Well, I don’t want to have students who are not ready to take the class or who don’t even really want to take the class. Plus, grading a dozen or so papers every week is just way too much work. So, after administering a wrathful grammar quiz, a merciless style quiz, and finally a doomsayer’s warning that many students will in all likelihood fail the course, I put my scythe to rest to find that my mighty swing has indeed scattered the timid and tested the steadfast. Of the 15, only 6 remain. I actually wasn’t trying to cut out that many…maybe 5 at the most. Maybe I shouldn’t have sharpened my blade so much…
Anyways, to sum up, I’ve been doing nothing but work. And study Korean. 4 hours of Korean each day, then 3 hours of teaching, then office hours, then another few hours of prep. Then sleep. Life is no fun.
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