My Speech

The first day came on Monday, the 28th of August. I walked to school which took only 5 minutes from my apartment but I quickly found out once I got there, I had another 5 minutes walking uphill as there was an overpass that crossed above oncoming traffic. When I reached the school I was greeted by some other teachers in the "gyomushil" or teacher's room. I met my co-teachers and they explained to me that we didn't have class today so I was a little disappointed at first but then I thought I guess I can relax. They explained to me that this was the teachers room and they introduced me to the vice principle which greeted me very warmly. Afterwards, we went to a much nicer and larger office where I was introduced to the principle. First I spoke in Korean and he shook my hand. Then he said something to my co-teachers in Korean which I think it was "He is very tall."

After the initial introductions I was relaxed and went up to the classrooms I would be teaching in. Classes would start tomorrow. My co-teachers told me that I would go and apply for my alien registration card today at the immigration office in Daegu. Suddenly, they tell me that we have a a welcoming program for the whole school so we started walking towards the gymnasium. All teachers were there and some students were recognized for past achievements in sports and academics. Then my co-teacher Park Suja told me that I will be introduced to the whole school in few minutes. I was surprised that I would introduced like this. I started thinking, what should I say? Do they want me to give a speech? Should I speak in Korean or English? After the principle introduced me to the stage, I walked up there where I was in front of a podium. At first, the principle gave a introduction of me and then I followed up with my own words. I said in Korean first, annyeonghasseyo. My name is Daniel. It's nice to meet. I am from the United States. I will be your English teacher this year. Then I said in English I am looking forward to working with all of you. Thanks you. It was a little longer than that but it's all I can remember. It felt like I was up there longer than I was. I realized I was talking to the entire staff and students at once. About 220 people so it wasn't a huge amount but it's definitely more than I'm used to. But everyone cheered and clapped like I had won an award or something. After my speech the principle came back on and explained something about the upcoming year.