"So Brian's YOUR son?! Hmm...."

Today I had my first parent-teacher meeting...oooooh! *cue scary music*

...I wasn't in the least bit worried about the parent-teacher conference until I got to school, met my Korean co-teacher for the class, and starting down the stairs to wait for the parents. Paris, who is normally pretty bubbly, was shaking in her boots...clearly nervous. Which in turn made me begin to feel nervous. Paris explained her worries about having to speak about the student's weaknesses in a way that doesn't upset the pushy mother paying mucho dinero (won) each month for their child to attend a private English school but also the challenge of having to present things honestly. I had been thinking about that myself, having to remind myself that I am in the English school business...a business that pays me well, so I must be careful as well. I'm sure she was also nervous to do translating so I could also communicate with the parents and vice versa but she didn't mention that.

Thinking about the stories my friend Lauren told me about the parent-teacher conferences at her English school made me giggle a bit as we waited for the parents. She's pretty sure her director translated only what he wanted the parents to hear as the parents would always smile, nod, and say thank you after everything she said. "Ahh, what? Why are you thanking me? I just said your kid was disruptive and a huge idiot!" she told me. hahaha.......

Four parents showed up, two of which were parents of my students. One being the parent of by far the worst student in the class. The one that never does his essays, speeches or follows along in class. So during the first 1/2 hour when it was all Korean speaking between Paris and the mothers I sat racking my brain for something positive to say about my worst student before mentioning how he needs to improve on his pronunciation, writing, listening...oh I don't know, just EVERYTHING!

I couldn't come up with anything so when my turn to talk came I just jumped in head first with suggestions on his much needed improvement. Paris seemed to be translating accurately and the mothers seemed to listening carefully as I spoke. A few of the mothers asked really great questions about the specific materials we are using in class and how their children compare to students in the U.S. and such. I was impressed.

All in all I felt it was a very successful meeting and definitely enjoyable to put some parent faces with student faces. I guess I'm like a legit teacher now with parent conferences under my belt...what? weird. *shrugs shoulders* :)