Swirv/Girvan In Korea!

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School Year In Review

It’s nearing the end of my 2nd year here teaching in Korea. Haven’t been able to keep up with this blog pretty much at all, did more so last year than this one, but I wanted to write down some topics of lessons I’ve taught this year as a reminder to myself and possible interests to others on my teaching content matter.

Lessons:

For Conversation I taught more pronounciation skills to the kids in order to improve their fluency and ability to make normal sounds in English. I used this youtube channel many times in order to help and get ideas for the classes:
http://www.youtube.com/course?list=ECB043E64B8BE05FB7

I also used creative ways for them to practice such as creating a tongue twister game using this site:

http://www.uebersetzung.at/twister/en.htm

Or having them read the lyrics to famous pop songs (or christmas songs during the holidays) and have them remix and perform it in groups.

Also had them read a short story and Translate a page each class into korean and be able to pronounce the words in english.

For Listening, besides using some of my old lessons, i used a variety of media clips, but wanted also to talk about some deep issues. Some class topics (I can remember):

Racism: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tqv3BDeLno&lc=z_iceU66cE1wH9KHsfn_A7WxrndIt6doL4zXXnzZM6Y

Life choices: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajo25gLxRRI

Bullying- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj8xA0eF_-I

Foreigner’s feelings in Korea- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F45EGLVK2no&list=PL5D6424C735F583DC&index=21

More natural language, how to introduce yourself and the meanings of handshakes.

Watched the tech demo KARA and had them describe what they heard and saw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0KTUysrwgQ

Also My segment on Natural Language i did last year I brought around this year alot more with full descriptions on slang or the meaning of normal english they hear on tv or movies. Examples- Fun/Funny, Greetings (hello, hi, hey, whatsup, yo yo yo whatsupppppp!), Crazy, etc..

For the winter quarter we spent a lot of time learning about the english speaking foreigners from other countries mainly living here in korea. We focused on South Africa, The UK and England, Canada, and America. I showed videos and told facts about each country and it’s culture, so they could understand more about the places, the people, and how not all foreigners are the same, and should be treated differently (just like they would be hated to be treated the same as if they were Japanese or Chinese, or any other asian culture).

Showed 2 movies, part of the 1985 highschool classic the Breakfast Club (couldn’t show much past the beginning, it gets too..adult lol) and V for Vendetta, which i wrapped up and tied into my final lesson with Martin Luther Kings speech and Charlie Chaplins Greatest Speech.

MLK-www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggl36fqSlsY&list=FLuRM1C-jUCpie6aqg7AS4WA&index=46

CC- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR8Y7tO8yrI&list=FLuRM1C-jUCpie6aqg7AS4WA&index=22

Made many mistakes along the way, but i feel i taught some really good lessons this year, especially in the listening class. Really was able to see some of the topics I talked about hit home, as seen when I had to judge a speech contest and some of my class topics were apart of the students speeches. I even had one student (who I helped teach a dance piece for the school festival to him) write me a letter saying how much my class meant to him and how i was a great teacher. It’s things like that that let me know my time here at Muhak wasn’t wasted, and I did teach well. I’m gonna miss here, but also looking forward to my next adventure.

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Something I’ve been teaching my students in Korea here on a regular basis, trying to reinforce the thought that it’s ok to make choices not based on Societies thoughts, but their own happiness. But everyone, no matter where u live, should try to follow this, and I’m trying to live my life like this. Easier said then done though. theburiedlife: Top 5 Regrets From Dying People —-                                                                                      For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve  weeks of their lives.   People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five: 1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it. 2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.  This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle. 3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings. Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win. 4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.  Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships. 5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.  This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying. Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness. By Bronnie Ware

Something I’ve been teaching my students in Korea here on a regular basis, trying to reinforce the thought that it’s ok to make choices not based on Societies thoughts, but their own happiness. But everyone, no matter where u live, should try to follow this, and I’m trying to live my life like this. Easier said then done though.

theburiedlife:

Top 5 Regrets From Dying People —-                                                                                     

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve 

weeks of their lives.  

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn’t work so hard. 

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. 

Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. 

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.


By Bronnie Ware

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R16, 2nd Time Around.

I’m entering. I’ve been here in Korea since last february, almost a year and a half. Last Time I was in the stands watching one of the most famous bboy battles and competitions in the world, seeing my friends Killafornia do work at the world finals. I’ve been training constantly, rarely entering battles, maybe 2-3 (2 all styles) in the last year in order to focus on increasing my skills. Now, a year later, it’s my turn.

Or more to be specific, our turn. I’m entering with my crew Seoul Seekers, a crew I’ve recently joined, organized and headed by Bboy Dyzee of Supernaturalz crew and creator of the OUR system being used in R16, but have known members of it since I came last year. About to ride into battle with these guys next to me, assured. This weekend. Tomorrow. We will let Korea know we are here, and we will be loud about it. This is our stand. And they will remember us at the end of it.

~Swirv.

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Lesson- Emergencies

Went over how to prepare if there is an Emergency.

Engage- Told them the story of how the 2 korean men stole my pants and cell and wallet in dongdaemun shopping, and the way i got them back. Then told them they need to know how to call for help in another country.

Study- Defined Emergency (911) and posted the main 3 types of help received (Police, Fire Department, Hospital).

Then listed Types of Emergencies:

1. Thief/ Robber/ Criminal

2. Fire or Smoke

3. Violence or Murder

4. Accident

5. Spy or Terrorist

Then showed them procedure of calling 911:

PROCEDURES FOR CALLING 911:

1.  State the nature of the emergency

2.  State your address or the location of the emergency, with the closest cross street.

3.  Give your name and telephone number.

4.  Remain on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.

Then also told them things you should know if in different country-

 2 Emergency Contacts: Example, Local Friend or Relative, Place your staying, School.

Passport Id number, or Arc, or any identification number you have.

Activate- Went through the procedure of calling 911, first with acting it out with 3 students ( the emergency,the caller, 911), then having them get in pairs and practice.

” 911- Whats your emergency?

Caller- There is a ______!

911- Where are you?

Caller- I am at _____

911- Whats your name and number?

Caller- My name is ____ and my number is _____”

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Lesson- The Ant and the Grasshopper

Did a lesson on Aesop’s Fable this time, Relating how the fable was made, and how it related to korean society.

Engage/ Study- Passed out papers and went over the original tale of the Ant and Grasshopper.

“

Aesop’s Fables- The Ant and the Grasshopper

 

 


In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

  1

  “Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”

  2

  “I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”

  3

  “Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

        

“IT IS BEST TO PREPARE FOR THE DAYS OF NECESSITY.”

 ”

The original tales moral was not to be lazy, emphasized in korea where the word that means grasshopper literally means Lazy person. The ant was the smart one here.

Then Showed them how the band Sunny Hill took the original tale, and did changed the Moral of the story to more fit for the Korean people.

Sunny hills music video- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BklvAHdGBI&feature=related

This showed the grasshoppers to be the smart ones, where they are still getting sugar but enjoying their lives.

I also showed them a review video of simon and martina where they break down the meaning even further:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajo25gLxRRI

Activate- Then I told them how sunnyhill meant this video to talk to the korean people, who work so hard. We made a chart of Korean life in class, showing how they grow up in a linear format: Born, School (16-18hours a day), Univ, Army, Uni, Job/Homeless, Married/Family, Death. I then told them that there were different routes that could be taken besides one with mostly all work, like travelling after uni, or getting a dream job (referring to our earlier lesson). Worked out nice and they got the point, especially since the words came from their own kpop stars.

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Lesson- Weather

Haven’t done this in a while, but i found looking at my other lessons was useful so imma write down some new ones too.

Engage- Start out talking to the class about either Elements (fire water wind earth) or the like. Get the related to  Natural Disasters (little fire or water, u can cook and drink or swim, too much, u can die! haha). Then show them this clip of Natural Disasters from 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skz0Rgchm6g

Study: Have them list the ND’s they saw in the video: Earthquake, Tornado, Tsunami, Hurricane, Drought, Wild fire. Repeat them in English and Korean to test for class understanding.

List the 4 seasons and go through them in english and korean again.

Relate these 2 categories to Weather and have them list Good Weather and Bad weather depending on the Season.

Good- Sunny, Cool, Hot, Warm, Sunshine, Snowing, Blue/Clear Skies.

Bad- Rainy, Cloudy, Stormy, Windy, Lightning/Thunder, Dry, Cold, Heavy Snow, Hale, Drizzling, Foggy, Humid, Dry heat.

Then Explain with good weather you can play or do things outside, bad weather have to do things inside. Have them list a few things for both (ex Good, play sports or have a picnic, bad, play games or watch movies or indoor sports like pool or bowling).

Activate- Had them study and memorize this phrase with a partner:

“What’s the weather like today?

It’s _____ outside!

Since it’s ____ outside, what do you want to do?

Since the weather is (Good/Bad), Let’s _____!”

Practice till memorized.

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My own Me.

Haven’t posted on here in ages but had to document this and save this date as a recorded proof of when i started.

Tonight was a turning point. Finally after 3 years of hints, guesses, and random ideas, I broke through and found my definite own and unique style of bboying i want to follow. Now all I need to do is work hard to mold and master it. I wonder if this is how bboy’s like paranoid android or cloud felt when they created their own very recognizable and unique style that no one could call but their own. I will get to their level one day, just need to work hard at it.

Inspired by bboy atsuki, one of my favorite japanese bboys, i went to practice. Hindered by my partially dislocated shoulder, i reinjured it tonight and had to take a break. But this allowed me to think about what i was practicing, and after showing a video of atsuki to some of my bboy friends, i finally thought of a way to combine many, if not all of the dance styles i’ve learned up till now. When seeing me try it out for the first time, one of my korean bboy elders told me “it doesn’t look like bboying, it looks like dancing. 80% dance, 20%  bboy.” Even if he didnt mean to make it a compliment, I took it as one because that means i’m headed in the right direction. I want my style to reflect me, and i’m a dancer, i love to dance to any type of music, and this is the reason i’ve learned many different styles. I still need to do ALOT of work to develop my own traits, but ive found a path i want to take, and make my own, a style distinct to myself that no one but me can do well. Why i know this is my style? Because it felt so right. And that’s what i’ve been looking for.

I wont be like everyone else.

Time to train.

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Lesson 13- Impossible is Really Possible

This is a continuation from my last lesson on dreams. Many students thought it was impossible to attain a dream job for themselves, so I decided to set out and try to change that type of mindset of not being able to do it.

Engage/Study/Activate: First, after review, I asked them what impossible meant in korean. Once finding out if they knew what that meant, I wrote on the board “Impossible is Really Possible” and had them translate that from english to korean as well. I asked them what that meant. Then I showed them an example. “in the year 1500, everyone thought it was impossible for humans to fly. How is it possible for humans to fly now?” Of course they answered planes, helicopters, hanggliders, jetpacks, etc… So before it was thought to be impossible, but now it is possible.

I then proceeded to show them many videos on things that they may have thought to be impossible first, but really possible.

NFL football players:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpFO1gedw50

Damien Walters (Ninjas really do exist)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNvJy0zoXOY

Greg Townley-It doesn’t matter your age/ humans can fly without wings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuaIxcyiOuE&feature=relmfu

It doesn’t matter how fat you are (i’d ask a heavier student if they could do the things in the 2 previous clips, and when they said no, I would show them this haha):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXv8Dk78r0k

How to dance in a wheel chair:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTCTylnFWtA

How to bboy with 1 or disabled legs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP668vWxf68

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNn6qOrXkYM

How to run with no legs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rK0D15se00

Playing the piano with no fingers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbhW_K3NvmQ&feature=player_embedded

I would take a break here, have them stand up and ask them what they previously thought impossible that they can make possible. I would ask a short student how could he dunk (trampoline, moonshoes, stilts lol), and also how could someone do 1000 pushups a day (do 100, rest an hour, do 100, rest, repeat 10 times). It’s only if you “Think” it’s impossible it’s really impossible. You just have to be creative and think outside the box.

Nothing is impossible:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8ZuKF3dxCY&feature=related

Hopefully it changed their mindsets a little on saying that it’s impossible to do many things.

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Road To BC One: Pens & Swords.

It is hard to disagree with this, i’ve seen many a battle at a jam go to someone unqualified for the win in my and many in the crowd’s eyes, just because the “winner” has a little more fame over the “loser.” Sometimes it’s a clear cut win, and these are the hardest and most bitter pills to swallow. Judges need to know that this is unacceptable, even if booing the call is in order, not to disrespect the winner, but to let it be known that everyone knows which way the call should have gone. I have debated with this many times before, sometimes thinking it is just a lack of my own experience that i can’t see all the minor things that the judges did, but somethings are obvious, even to the casual bboy. I see this happen especially in prelim battles or showcases, where a well established bboy tosses out a weak set or even crashes, but is still let through to the top16 because they are known (goes for crews of course too). This needs to change. If your on point, your on point, if your good, your good, no one should need to debate it. and if your having an off day, accept it as an off day, and take your loss graciously, and judges need to give out that loss, not weighing the consequences of their friends losing money.

roadtobcone:

Judging needs to be taken more seriously, I am thoroughly upset with some of the judging I’ve seen lately. Not just referring to “bad calls” but an overall attention and fulfilment of your responsibility. It’s bad enough we have judges that haven’t been in the scene for years, are sometimes a…

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Road To BC One: Famous last words.

Be still and know yourself. Many a time I have come along in my bboying and felt myself to be an imperfect vessel, not worthy as of yet for even my friends and peers to see, however everyone goes through this, even the best of their own arts. Work hard, strive to be better, but never forget you are special in what you do.

roadtobcone:

I’ve been so inspired to dance lately, that I have been finding it more and more difficult to find time to write. As much as I love writing, dancing obviously comes first. Being artistically inclined is much like being in a relationship. There is good days and bad days, but there is passion. To…