To the new EPIK teachers in Gangwon-do and elsewhere

Welcome fall arrivals! By now, you've entered your second week in your town. Perhaps you have begun teaching classes, been to a teachers dinner or two, wandered your neighborhood or town, or journeyed around the province.

Here are a few posts you may find of interest:

Life in general / Being an expat / Living abroad / Stuff you'll see here

• "Make it a good day"
• Getting a haircut
• Aegyo (Being "cute")
• Eating dog in Korea
• Eating dog in Korea 2
• The gas bill
• Studying Korean
• DVD bangs (Movie rooms) Good places to watch a Korean movie!
• Advice to newcomers from the Cheorwon Crew
• Teachers dinners and mountain climbing
• School dinners/School life

Teaching / The teaching life

• Harry Wong's "10 Beliefs of Successful Teachers," quoted from his book The First Days of School.
• Playing UpWords with the HS students
• Give the students time to work things out themselves
• Writing alongside the students
• Role plays about traveling
• The 10 minute break between classes: Teacher/office edition
• Playing the "Sage on the stage" vs the "guide on the side". Sometimes you have to change your style.
• "Think-pair-share"
• Bring your materials to class
• Bring your materials to class 2: Notebooks and lines
• Let the students choose the next speaker/participant
• Making dreidels with the MS girls
• Know what the kids like
• Wait times: Give them time to think
• Be ready for venue / classroom changes at any time
• Never contradict your co-teacher. For consistency's sake.

Student life

• Smart phone addiction among the students. Over 2/3 of the youth have smart phones in Korea. Watch out.
• The 10 minute break between classes: Student and cell phone edition
• Indoor voices. Get ready. The hallways might get loud.
• The last day of the Fall 2012 term

This should be enough to get you started. Enjoy!