Working in a public school, every foreign teacher has at least one co-teacher. This is the Korean staff member whose English is usually the best, and also teach English to the students. Their job is to be in the classroom with you and make sure everything goes smoothly. At first I was nervous about having a co-teacher (I actually have two, Mrs. Choi and Mrs. Lee) in the classroom because I thought their job was to make sure I was doing by job right. That's a little intimidating right? Having someone watch your every move to make sure you don't mess up? I've heard stories from my friend Chris about his co-teacher, and how they didn't get along and she made his life hell. So I think I had a right to be a little nervous about it.

But in reality, after the first few awkward days of me getting used to the classes, and Mrs. Choi and Mrs. Lee giving me advice about the students, it's not bad at all. Sometimes, when Korean give you advice, it sounds like they are being condescending or demanding, but it's just their tone, they are in fact trying to be helpful. I think after they both saw that I was a competent teacher, they let me just do my thing. Most of the time they aren't even in the class room, especially days where I am playing a game or doing a random lesson, they know they don't really need to be there.

And here is the great thing about them: I have two classes that are rambunctious and obnoxious, and those co-teachers and quiet them like nobodies business. Usually all it takes is one of them to walk through the door, and a hush falls over the class. Do you know why? Because they put the fear in these children, the fear of punishment! Although corporal punishment is illegal (recently) in Korea, many teachers are still allowed to give kids a few knocks. They have this bamboo stick with a slit in the middle, and students who don't do their homework get a smack on the hand. Or sometimes if the student is late, they have to sit out in the cold hallway, on their knees without moving, for an hour. Or sometimes they have to do up-downs like we do in sports. Those are the general tactics (even though kids still don't do their homework, or are mouthy in class!). But if you catch Mrs. Choi on a bad day, and she sneaks into class and finds a student sleeping, or not paying attention, you better watch out.

I know this probably sounds cruel of me, but these kids are definitely old enough and smart enough to know how to pay attention in class, and some of them deserve the wrath of the co-teacher. There's a little bit of satisfaction when Mrs. Lee gives a kid a smack on the back for not paying attention, when I told that little brat 5 times to be quiet and listen. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like these little ladies are coming in and beating the crap out of these students, it's more like a hard slap you would give a friend when you're messing around, or would give a dog when they pee on the carpet, enough to straighten you up but not enough to actually bruise you. These kids are older and can definitely handle it.

Mrs. Choi (I've started calling her "the thunder") even did something today that I don't understand. She came in at the end of class when we were finished, said one word, and they all closed their eyes and sat up straight. She was talking to them for a few minutes about something, but I doubt se was asking them to use their imagination. 

I really wish I had the power to control my students like that, to make them be silent with one fell shout! But alas, I am the foreigner, and I can never hold such powers without getting arrested.