Teaching Parents

Today was my first day teaching my Parents Course. At the behest of the higher-ups at Dong Mak Elementary School, I have begun to offer a weekly course for the parents of our school's students. This week, I had seven moms show up, and no dads. I began the class with some brief introductions and was quickly asked the obligatory personal questions: "Where are you from?" "How old are you?" and "Are you married?" The motive for asking these questions is not simply curiosity, but is very much a part of Korean culture. Knowing my age and marital status helps a Korean place me within their social hierarchy. Age is particularly important since Korean culture says that older individuals deserve more respect than young people. As a few examples: language is more formal when speaking with people older than yourself; when clinking glasses while drinking, the younger person always holds his glass lower than the older person (I made this mistake while drinking Soju with the vice principal and was promptly called on it by someone else at the table); and it is considered rude to have your hands in your pockets while speaking with someone older than you (again, I have made this mistake).

Anyways, my first parents class went well. Considering the trouble I had the first time I tried to teach teachers, I was relieved to have the class go smoothly. In fact, I heard through the grapevine (the mom's talked to the vice principal's secretary, who passed the word on to my co-teacher, who filled me in) that they were very happy with the class. I'm not usually one to put much stock in gossip, but I'll take good feedback when I can get it.