*Bibimbop : Saturday School

Korea used to operate on a 6-day school week. But this year, they did away with that nonsense and let the kids enjoy their school-free weekends.

Or they did for about a week.

Busan started SAM - a Science, Art and Math Saturday morning program for students to develop and enhance their English skills. It's not exactly school, but students still aren't free from an educationless weekend.

And me, like a fool - yet again - signed up to be a SAM teacher. In truth, I only applied. The information the Office of Education provided wasn't even enough to understand what the program was. So I applied thinking three things:

I'd get more information

It'd be a chance to work more closely with students

I'd make some extra money

But what I got from applying was a ball-and-chain - not even strapped to my ankle, but latched around my neck! The program was overwhelming. I was suppoed to teach 10 Saturdays in the first semester. That is nearly every Saturday in the first semester!!

By applying I had apparently already said 'Yes' to teaching for the program, and signed my Saturdays away without getting to look over the contract or terms of agreement. Goodbye Friday night drinking, so long Saturday hangover, adios sleeping in; from now on I have to get up and teach.

Despite losing my Friday nights/Saturday mornings, I did manage to get a fairly good arrangement.

I would be teaching earth science

To middle schools boys (eek!)

At a school on Yeongdo (across the street from my school)

And!!! the best part of it is, I would not have to teach all 10 weekends, which would have stripped me of my social life and sanity. Instead, I was able to split the schedule with a friend who also lives on the island, Leanne.

Despite only having to do half the lessons, it's still a lot of work. Trying to teach for 3 periods (120mins) on a Saturday, to a group of ~10 boys would could careless about what you said/did/taught/probably if you even showed up is definitely work!