This week all classes were changed to a speaking exam which I had to deliver. Students were put back into their homerooms of 38 students, whereas my classes are grouped by level into smaller groups. I have to interview each student individually in a 45 min lesson. That gives me about a min per student. There are 700 students to get thru this week. I swear there are kids I've never seen before in my life!

There is a list of 10 questions for each grade they are supposed to memorize . There are sticks in a cup and they draw two sticks to read the numbers at the end. Now they want to spend a minute examining the stick and reading the number. I have to snatch it out their hands as I have 38 students to get thru in 45 mins. This happens 38 times per class, every class.

I have to rank them A/B/C based on ability. If they say nothing they get C. If they answer with a lot of hesitations or I have to repeat the question they get B. If they identify the question and answer right away they get A.

Some of them take a wild stab and say "sure I'd love to" regardless of what the question was. Makes for some funny responses. Other advanced students show off and start talking endlessly but I have to cut them off as they already have an A. I'm expecting someone to burst into tears but nobody yet.

Students want to know their grade and try to peer over my shoulder, or ask me if they got an A or B . I have to keep saying bye to make them leave. One boy did a prayer but he still got a C. A girl heard the question and just walked out, I guess she didnt know.

Everyone has been telling me they love me and I am handsome in the hallways, or blowing me kisses. One girl started saying so after her interview making lovehearts with her hands so I had to told her to leave.

Its tough being the examiner. They want me to grade the students exactly 1/3 each. Its hard to have an exact 13-13-13 split between A/B/C so my numbers are a bit off. Its sad when a kid you like cant answer and you have to give them a C. Or other times kids I dont like I try to be fair and give them a chance but they still cant answer and end up with a C anyway so not like I targetted them.

Sometimes you have to bump someone into a different category because there are too many in one. So I have to give someone a C because there are too many Bs which is unfair to them but we are trying to keep an even split .

I have the class list and have to read their names in hangul to make sure I check off the right name. They are supposed to come in order of the class list. Two boys in one class had the same name, the first got an A, the second B, so I hope they can sort that out.
 
We've also been asked about contract renewals to which I said yes. I thought maybe 25% would stay and the bulk would leave. The reverse is true with a small number leaving and a big majority renewing. People are complaining about the job market back home as one reason and are probably enjoying the easy lifestyle here.

Next year I expect a lot of people to drop off at the end of year two as that's what most people are saying so if I did do a third year I could be alone all of a sudden. Its important to make friends outside your circle as the teaching community is transient with people coming and going.

Weather is a constant daily temperature 4-6 weeks before the next increment. Now it has jumped from 22 to 28 so getting some humidity. Hopefully the brutal humidity wont hit till late July.