CHAPTER ONE

PRIME ENGLISH ACADEMY.

Another round of off-peak season for the English tutorial academies. It is the time when Koreans studying the English language go back to their country. The end of summer vacation in Korea and likewise school starts. The once full of students, the academy is now starting to lay-off tutors. Actually, some tutors are hired during the peak season only. They would soon take their leave once student finish their short English course.

The last batch of students has gone. Just as what is expected, the agency is again a silent place. No more noisy Koreans struggling to learn English and no more naughty children running around the spacious academy. But then everybody will miss the students. The chats, the laughter, the fun. Then, no more income for the owner and the saddest, for tutors who are paid on an hour basis.

It’s understandable, though. Every peak season, the country is flooded with Korean and they disappear after the winter and summer vacation. Some, who go to regular schools, stay longer. Some of the academy students attend normal classes, luckily. Some of the seven kids are left. So it’s not bad after all. The children are staying for a year or so. They keep the agency going on and they keep tutors alive.

This kind of business started five years ago. One university offered English classes for Koreans. They were few in numbers, to start off. Those students then put up their own English academies; one of them is the First English Academy’s owner. And Mia attended that university. She even doubted that was the reason the boss hired her in the first place. She always heard that she looks like a Korean. Though the reason why she applied was her friend, Sid, who applied first but turned out to have a change of mind. He resigned even before Mia had started.

At first she was surprised, but the moment she saw some familiar faces, she decided to stay. It was quiet difficult at first. For one, she didn’t like Koreans. She was not even an English major, and she hated the subject. It was all Sid’s fault. It was her first job and she wanted to make it perfect. That’s why she accepted it. Later she found out it was fun.

Today is her first year anniversary as tutor.