Expat Blog
Expat Interview
Category Archives: Work
Not quite the answer I was looking for
I have recently begun teaching English to adults here in Ottawa. It’s been a bit of a steep learning curve- no singing, no dancing, and no stickers. The upside is that my students don’t punch each other or cry if … Continue reading
Posted in Canada, Education, Life, Teaching English, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged esl, mosquitoes
14 Comments
Canapé Day
Yesterday, my English Camp students came in with enormous quantities of seemingly unrelated food – baby tomatoes, grapes, processed cheese slices, tuna salad, sesame leaves, strawberry jam, sliced ham, and frozen blueberries. What was going on? “Ka-na-piss, Carrie-teacher. Today ka-na-piss … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, food, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged canapés, korean food, korean schools, south korea
6 Comments
Speeches, Tears and Goodbyes
This week the first semester finally ended. The week was marked by the usual end of term events including a whole staff Teachers’ Dinner. My school is so large that usually Teachers’ Dinners are held by grade or subject. … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
8 Comments
The Best Bit
We recently had a staff dinner. Why? I’m not sure. There is an official end-of-the-semester lunch next week, as well as another dinner for a retiring co-worker. But I have learned not to question these things; my job is to … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, food, Korea, Life, Living abroad, teaching in Korea, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged fish, korea, korean food, korean schools, south korea, teaching in Korea
3 Comments
Do You Like Apples, Apples?
This week I had what I hope will be my last Open Class. My co-T is young, sweet and a bit of a loose canon- she doesn’t believe in lesson planning. Thankfully for what is left of my sanity, extensive … Continue reading
Posted in Education, ex-pat, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, Teachers, Teaching English, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged korea, south korea, teaching in Korea, tefl, Ulsan
2 Comments
Sports Day… sort of…
My school is enormous and so we only have Sports Days once every two years. This year was the lucky year. The kids were beside themselves, and the teachers were frantic. Every inch of the school (except inexplicably, the bathrooms) … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, teaching in Korea, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged korea, races, south korea, sports day, teaching abroad, Ulsan
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Intonation changes everything
I recently participated in a Saturday English program called “Real World Conversation.” It was organized by the Ulsan Ministry of Education, and had the children’s best interests at heart. The goal of the program however, was a little unclear. Were … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, Korea, Life, Living abroad, Teaching English, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged English, korea, south korea, tefl, Ulsan
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Good job on being so terrible!
As an elementary school teacher, I tend to exude sunshine, lollipops and rainbows. I like things that sparkle, I own a Hello Kitty calculator, and I have markers in every colour of the spectrum. I like to pretend that all … Continue reading
Posted in Education, ex-pat, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged korea, korean schools, south korea, teaching in Korea, Ulsan
5 Comments
We’re really only here for the food…
I attended a Korean co-worker’s wedding on Saturday. The bride looked radiant in a fluffy, sequin-covered tulle netting gown, and matching tiara. I was astonished she fit through the wedding hall door. As the only foreigner at the wedding, I … Continue reading
Posted in ex-pat, food, Korea, Life, Living abroad, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged south korea, Ulsan
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A Velvet Dress and Diamonds
Everyone looks forward to Grade 6 graduation. Parents, students and teachers all dream of the day when the little devils dear children will move on to their next school. Our reasons may be different but the anticipation is the same. The day … Continue reading
Posted in Education, ex-pat, Korea, Korean schools, Life, Living abroad, teaching in Korea, Travel, Uncategorized, Work
Tagged flowers, graduation, korean schools, south korea, teaching abroad, teaching in Korea, tefl
4 Comments
ihatecockroaches 