International Teacher Haul

Teaching overseas is both exciting and challenging. Our students are all ELL (English Language Learners) which means that their level may be low in English and they do not always understand what they learn. (Teaching U.S. History to students who have never experienced real American culture is hard stuff) Just like any teacher I am always exciting to buy things to use in my classroom….every teacher gets exciting for new classroom stuff, right? ❤

Since I am visiting the States for the summer, I went teacher shopping for some thing that I cant find in Korea. Like the good shopper I am 😉 I bought things that I could have found in Korea but just wanted now.

Here are a few things that I bought.

You can ask my students and they will tell you that I am addicted to sticky notes. I love using them for pretty much everything! Often times I use them for exit tickets or mini quizzes.

See more sticky notes…I have a problem. Also Sticky-Tak (or Fun-Tak) was such a life saver this past year. I discovered it at a young age in Africa since all the walls there were cinderblock. Last year our walls were newly painted and I didn’t want to put a lot of holes in the walls. Plus since it doesn’t really take much work or thought I often allow the kids to hang their own work on the walls.

Stamps, lanyard, planner, and stickers! What can go wrong!

Boarders are REALLY hard to find overseas. I have great plans for the file pockets (see future blog in August).

Often finding posters in English is VERY hard to find in a foreign country that does not speak English.

This time around I did not buy too many posters because I have a lot already in South Korea. I wanted to buy a few new ones because I’ll be teaching the same homeroom for a third year. They know several of my posters already. Providing students with new things in the classroom refreshes their desire to learn. Also it  establishes a new setting for them.

This teacher haul was smaller than what I usually bring back with me. After two years I have discovered alley way shops that I can find things at or simply have items to reuse. If you happen to be a person who is moving overseas for the first time (especially South Korea), these are items that are a must but are difficult to find. Happy teacher hauling!

If you have questions about teaching overseas leave a comment or use my contact page.

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