Eyra's School Textbooks

 It's amazing to think that Eyra managed to 'survive' the first year of her Elementary year in Korea. She never learned Korean before prior to coming to Korea. But, amazingly she sort of managed to weave herself through the rigorous but cheerful learning at the Korean elementary school.

This is her 2nd year at the elementary school. 

And this is the 2nd Korean language textbook or 국어 that she has to master, again.^^

It's a relief that one thing this textbook emphasizes is how to 'lure' and 'make' the students be creative in expressing themselves.

Eyra is now used to using, learning, reading, writing in Hangeul than in English alphabets...: frankly speaking this is something that makes me puzzled+perplexed at the same time.

She's now exposed to all things Korean: either in math or language. She has to learn maths in Koreans' perspective. The environment where she is now living gives a somewhat an additional advantage to this phase. But surely, I have some worries as she will only be staying in Korea until her 4th grade...and by then..we'll have to move back to Indonesia.

Oh, well..I am sure that she'll manage it again.^^ 

I just love the books: first: my impression as I got these books was like" wow, this is what a book should be like: well, although we can't just judge the book by its cover...I think the colorful covers do indeed reflect the colorful arrays of activities being offered to the students."

Eyra's tutor

This is Eyra's Tutor who helps Eyra get exposed more to Korean language and culture. They meet once a week every Saturday at Modu Childrean Library in our neighborhood. Subin Eonni--that's how Eyra calls her--is always more than helpful in extending her hand and warmth for Eyra to learn more about anything. 

Today, as usual, they also met and talked, read a book, played games, and exchanged ideas.....(of course with Eyra's parents--that would be me^^).

It's nice to know that Subin Eonni does all of this simply based on her charity work or social work. This is something that a lot of students do to spend a time with other kids from other countries residing in Korea--of course, in helping them to cope with Korean life. As for Subin & Eyra, it is indeed a rewarding experience.

Oh, additionally, Subin Eonni is currently studying French language. 

Hm,, how cool it that, eh?

Terima Kasih, Thank You, 고맙습니다  Subin Eonni or Subin seonsaengnim.^^

방과후 After Class Learning

방과후  or After-class learning in Korea has been the so-called pre-destined kind of life order for school kids in Korea. This activities have been dubbed one of the social unavoidable norms. It may have been too exaggerating--but not that much actually.
I mean....kids in Korea have been so accustomed to get themselves pumped up with competition even when they are still in their  kindergartens. That's the consequences of human-resources dependent economy that Korea highly praises and needs most.


So, early education comes with a price. Lots of children must vigorously be prepared to go through long-learning education even after school time is over. That means: as soon as classes are over at around 2 pm, they are NOT going straight back home. Instead, most of them ( almost all) go to either hakgwon or private courses to get more lessons: be it those related to what they just learn at school or those unrelated such as: art, music, sports, or any other activities that might or may distinctively differentiate them from others--through capabilities.
But just like what I said earlier: it is relatively expensive to do so, especially if one has to cater the varied after-class learning. Being the most fave of all is notably: English classes.
Now comes the story of my daughter who happens to entering the life of a Korean elementary school this very year. Lots of offers to do and participate in the after-class lessons do come and go. Some are free and some are not.
--
This is where....a great idea of combining ingenuity and skills from staying-at-home mommies set in.
The moms of Eyra's friends at class have a great idea of asking the kids together (about 6 of them) to stay and learn together with their moms as their teachers and mentors at a so-called 방과 후  수업 at very own house--well, at one of the moms' apartment.
It has been executed for its second time now. The class comprises of art, drawing, math, and English. Some programs are on the tracks....following.
--
Hey, I think this is great....considering the costly prices of having to send the kids to hakgwon. ^^
The kids do love the activities we  (the moms) design together.
Eyra and Freya (her sister) could mingle and make friends along the way.