Intensive month

During students' five week summer break, parents often look for ways to keep their kids busy. And just like in the U.S., many parents would rather see their kids in school than at home playing video games.

So hagwons offer what's called the "summer intensive session." Contrary to its name, it's not at all intensive, but it is a way for kids to move ahead a bit faster via a supplemental grammar class. Therefore, for the next four and a half weeks, I have an extra three hours of class on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.

As a teacher, it's a mixed blessing. The pay for the extra nine class hours of virtually brain-free teaching is great, but it's hard on my throat to have to talk so much.

Still, it’s not all that bad, and the money is certainly welcome. I just have to be more careful about getting the rest I need.