Marriage Proposal

Yesterday at hagwon was a headache. 6 hours of constant screaming, which I brought on myself by using speaking games, to try and create a natural but exciting environment to illicit their speaking skills. However I do try and remind my students that it is a SPEAKING game, not a yelling game or a slanging match...the stakes are high-one sweet for each of the winners-(note slight hint of derisiveness) and so sometimes games get nasty as the competition heats up. Earlier this week one of my students got so excited she turned to a member of the opposing team and shouted "It's a fruit, not a vegetable, stupid!", not realising that she had spoken to him in English. If there is one thing I can say from my time teaching them, is that speaking English is becoming more natural for them, even if it is broken sentences accompanied by flapping hand gestures.Until now they have had it easy, with Korean teachers available to translate everything they say (if I don't understand the Korean myself). Now they must open their mouth and say something in English.

In my second to last class (with the 15 year olds) I received my first marriage proposal from one of the teenage boys, when doing my routine "how are you?" to each of the students. "Do you marry me, Teacher?" he asked me. "WILL you marry me?" I corrected, and then paused. "Are you rich?" I asked him. "No" he replies. "Then my answer is no" I said, to howls of laughter from the rest of the class. I next asked his friend how he was, and he gave me his usual answer "Very happy...I always think about Louise Teacher" blushing red from the top of his forehead to the tip of his chin. Everytime he says this I just smile and walk away. Due to language barrier, I really do not know how to handle that situation. Besides, a teenage boy thinking about me in that way really does give me the creeps.

I have now booked paid for a 21 day tour in Thailand, and booked my flight from Cebu in the Philippenes to Bangkok in Thailand. I have received the full itinery for the two tours in the Phillipenes, and waiting for the itinerary for Thailand, and flight booking confirmation.(The tickets for the flight to Bangkok I have to pick up at the ticket issuing office in Cebu...the Philippenes really is behind in modern conveniences). Once I have this sorted, I can book my flight from Bangkok to England....ASSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!