Teaching Grandmastery

I don't pretend to have all the answers but I'll tell you one thing: Mr. Monkey and the Hut is the most sordid rogue in the history of English learning literature. Not since the saucy and let's be honest shall we, flouncy, Jane of Dick and Jane has any ambassador to the ESL world been so justifiably repudiated.

Working for the weekend

I gotta make this quick because my computer will shut itself off in like, 2 minutes.

You might be interested in the part of the May edition of the school newsletter I wrote that I CUT OUT of the final edition. Canadiana!



Consider the expression ‘keep your stick on the ice’. Mostly unknown outside Canada, this turn of phrase gained widespread Canadian popularity from the TV show ‘Red Green’. In ice hockey a good tactic for most players is to place the blade of a hockey stick firmly against the ice surface to prevent any stray pass or puck deflection from going past. Although it is not a natural posture, keeping one’s stick on the ice shows alertness and is a practice of good form. Red Green, the eponymous host of his own TV show gives this piece of advice at the end of every episode. “Good night, and keep your stick on the ice.” While this would confuse most foreigners, even English speaking ones, Canadians understand that Red is wishing for them to practice good strategy in their daily lives. A basic knowledge of English, and a thorough knowledge of Canadian culture makes this colloquialism a sure-fire way for any English student to bring a smile to their Canadian overseers.

Photo-blog!

My little chronicle has become even more compelling with the addition of : electronic image plates, or as I like to call them, "pictures". (note the use of abundant and correct punctuation - thank you for the punctuation book grandparents!)

Here is the story about the first set of photos:

I was invited by one of my students to attend the wedding of their son. Actually, they it was another classmate who invited me, which I thought was a bit unusual - not sure if it was just the way they planned it, or if it is kosher to invite other people to a Korean wedding. I suspect the latter.



The day of the event I went to the electronics market to pick up some STUFF including a camera so that I could make a post such as this one. By the time I had finished haggling with the camera guy it was already too late for me to bring my things home. I had to grab a cab straight to the wedding hall. Naturally, I was late. (he has never been on time for a wedding. ever. -ed) Since Korean wedding ceremonies are only about 15 minutes, I was only able to see the walk back down the aisle, and the group photos.



There was no pause between the end of this ceremony and the next wedding party entering the hall, so the ushers (white hats) were not shy about evicting stragglers. Pack em in, get em out - very commercial, although I noticed they spoke in the very polite high-form even to me.



After that we were invited to have dinner downstairs at a banquet that must have had almost 400 guests. I asked if all these people were for the wedding we saw, and I was told yes, but it seems hard to believe. We had bulgogi and dok (rice cakes) and a few other Korean dishes. A lot of westerners make their blogs almost exclusively about Korean food, so I will only treat the subject peripherally. If you want more information on this (interesting) subject you can find out everything on the internet.

During dinner a student grabbed my hand and took me upstairs to see 'pebek' the traditional Korean part of the wedding ceremony. This is usually for only for family but, being a foreigner, I was given a front row seat. In fact, I was invited to take off my shoes and stand on the platform to take my photos. I don't know if the halmonis (grandmas) were too keen on this but, as a foreigner, I can do anything! hahaha



The couple are now wearing elaborate wedding hanbok (traditional Korean clothing, seen on the street about as often as a kilt in Scotland, I would guess) and they bow to their elders a few times and then they are presented with envelopes of money. Good deal. (This reminds me that the following week I was guilted into giving the family some money by Bruce - thanks a lot Bruce.) Then the couple pour cups of traditional booze for everyone. At one point the edge of the bride's gown is held out and chestnuts are thrown on the fabric with much smiling by everyone. I asked what this means - every chestnut represents a prospective child, the more chestnuts the bigger the family that is hoped for, preferably all male children, of course, and this is especially important for the first child.

There is no reception or speeches so that was it - a cultural adventure par excellence and I would recommend the Canon powershot A95 to anyone.