A Bittersweet Morning

If you've taught in Korea, maybe you've experienced this. One of your students, maybe you teach them everyday or not, suddenly tells you in class one day, "Teacher, today is my birthday." This is the sort of thing that happens a lot, being told something in the last minute. It's too bad because if you know ahead of time, it's nice to prepare something for the student, either a small gift or some food and games and have a little party for them.

Well this morning was a little different but a similar last minute situation. I noticed something different in my company class. The students were quiet but I could tell they wanted to say something but couldn't get up the nerve to tell me. One student asked another student (in Korean) if he told me that today was the last class. I understood and asked them. 'Today is the last class'? They shamefully nodded their heads.

It's funny. This morning I woke up wondering if they just might say that and sure enough, they did. Last minute news. Usual in Korea. There's a small story behind it though.

Yesterday, I heard from one of my best students (J.J.) that she was going to quit the class. I was really surprised to hear that from her considering she had the best attendance and participated the most of anyone in the class. Then I found out why. A couple of students wanted to change the teacher, students that just joined the class and weren't fitting in because of ONE other student that was making it difficult for some of the new students. Some of the students just stopped coming and the atmosphere was dull. Students were acting like kids literally. Like Middle School teenagers, just answering in one word and looking disinterested. This all happened a few weeks ago and I knew I had to make a decision of whether to continue the class or not in September.

After talking with J.J. and another student Jack, I decided that I would continue for one more month. This was on Thursday. But sure enough, korean style, last minute news this morning, one of the students said, " We all feel tired and need a break."

The next few minutes were uncomfortable and especially the end of the class. I find it uncomfortable when saying goodbye to some Korean people, it's almost like they've never said goodbye to anyone before.

But in the end I thought of not having to get up so early in the mornings so it was a good morning after all was said and done.