Or is it just that I hear more about American news stories? Here's a 40 year old teacher marrying a 16-year-old student in North Carolina.
I have lots of essays to read, recorded debates and roleplays to listen to, etc. I'm sure that some of you are expereincing the same thing. I've heard lots of different ways to handle the grading. Some teachers work in their office, some go to a coffee shop, some go to a bar, etc.
I just bring everything home and grade it there, taking breaks to play with the dogs or talk to my wife.
The other thing I wanted to talk about is how some students, particularly seniors, assume they will graduate and pass all their classes. I just got an email from a student who I've seen in about 25% of the classes. She got a job before she graduated and the job had to come first. Anyway, she emailed her final essay because she had to work and couldn't come to school.
This kind of stuff happens in Korea (not often, but it's not that rare either) but never in America (where you don't start working full-time until you've completed your coursework) and it's hard for me to get used to it.
My wife and I rescued our 6th stray last night when we decided to go for a walk after dinner. I saw a litle Maltese walking around and followed it into an open space where some soccer team seemed to be spending their Sunday evening eating and drinking.
The dog started following some kid around and the kid got scared and fell. The father threatened to kick the dog so I yelled at him and went over to protect the dog. My wife yelled at me (I shouldn't really be fighting, especially because of my recent surgery) and my wife told the guy he shouldn't kick dogs.
We called the dog but there were a lot of people's legs in the way so we couldn't pick him up immediately and we were being a bit indecisive. All this time my wife was asking people if the dog had a home but everyone said it was a stray.
Some other guy picked up the dog and treated it quite lovingly except for the talk about eating it. I like to think he was joking, but my wife had actually seen the dog walk into a place that sold dog meat right around there so she told me to take the dog from him, which I did.
Then some lady told us that people come first and not dogs. My wife started yelling at her. Not so much because of her message but the lady was pretty condescending - I mean she's sitting there getting drunk next to a place that sells dog meat while one of her friends threatens to kick a little stray dog (this Maltese is probably around 6 pounds) and she wants to teach us about life's priorities?
My wife and the lady yelled for a bit until some guy came over and put his hands on our arms and told us to leave. My wife and I both told him to take his hands off us, my wife still yelling.
Anyway, we left with the dog and started calling local vets (mostly closed on Sunday night). One answered the phone and opened up for us. He said the dog has probably been a stray for a while even though it smelled like soap. Seems strange.
Anyway, the dog stayed at the vet overnight and will get checked out today. Then we'll try to find her original home (a long shot I guess) or a new one. Wish us luck!
Some minority students were not given diplomas because people cheered during the graduation ceremony. One of the students brings up an excellent point about not being able control everyone. For example, I don't like Fred so i get a few people to cheer when his name is called and Fred can't get his diploma.
That bothers me, but what bothers me even more are claims that when white students were cheered there was no penalty. 4 black students and 1 hispanic were punished in this school district near Chicago.
A school in Indianapolis actually had police remove parents who cheered for their kids during graduation. It seems a bit crazy to me.
I recently received this question via email: "I came across your website and thought I'd ask you for some advice. I am thinking of teaching ESL but don't quite know where to begin. Any tips?"
I think I gave some decent advice, but if anyone has something to add please leave a comment below. This is what I said: "I'd begin with some training, probably a certificate course that involves classroom practice. That will tell you if you like teaching ESL and get you ready for employment."
I'm still waiting for replies to this story about getting toes run over by a friend's truck (very American) - it seemed like humor that many could appreciate, but since no one is replying I'm not so sure...
But we do have an English learner using humor in this thread about Korean women being mistaken for lesbians (read the one where they pretended to be lesbians to avoid men).