Soni Finishes the First Semester

"Soni Finishes the First Semester"
KP News

22-year old Mark Soni finished the first semester of his tenure as a rookie ESL teacher at Incheon's renowned Yeonsu High School in South Korea. Now, he enters the summer break with lessons learned and a renewed confidence in the teaching profession.

"This is my first teaching gig ever, and it has been an humbling, but awesome experience," said the first-year teacher out of Waldorf, MD. "Now I am in the off-season with work still on my hands, and time to re-group and polish my young teaching skills. I want to become a better teacher, and starting from the bottom, the only direction is up."

Soni began teaching for Yeonsu this past March 2007, signing a one-year deal to teach conversational English to the Yeonsu High School Celtics, which is located in the Yeonsu District in central Incheon, South Korea. After facing a rough few weeks of getting used to his new team, his new surroundings, and learning about Korean students' way and methods, he feels that he can own up to the new challenges that lay ahead for next term.

"The kids in Korea are a different sort compared to America. American students, especially those who I have taught back in my church program back in Maryland, are more about interaction, discussion, and individual growth. The kids here in Korea learn through groupthink and group effort, especially since I teach a language that most kids, despite years of learning it, have a hard time understanding. My biggest challenge was controlling 40 kids in a classroom while trying to make the class as interesting and fun as possible."

So far, he has received approval from his teammates, who all have said that they enjoyed Soni's teaching style, despite his inexperience. Some teachers have quoted his style as "passionate, energetic," even though the students may not be the most interested in English at times.

However, Soni also realized that learning from mistakes and other Korean cultural nuances play a major effect to his growth as an English teacher. "For example, I stopped calling out individual students who could not speak that well. It hurts their confidence easily, because the other 39 squad mates are right there to pounce on them. Also, I quickly learned to never play an ESL game that only involves 10 out of the 40 students...30 bored boys equals 30 rough boys. Also, boy students are visual learners and compared to girl students, not as focused and mature at this stage in their lives. Its important to grab their attention from the start and run with it," added the rookie out of the University of Maryland.

For the off-season, Soni plans to run two summer mini-camps for Yeonsu students: one for freshmen classes and one for junior classes. "Its an opportunity for them to practice their English throughout the summer and keep their heads in the English game. I believe English is the most important language in the world, not because they do not need to replace their own language with ours, but we need more leaders in the workforce who will recognize the need that English is the lingua franca of our time."

Just like footballers (soccer players), rest is a rare commodity for ESL teachers here in Korea. Korea is recognized as the ESL mecca of the world, who pays handsomely for even the most inexperienced teachers to come here not just for the lucrative contracts and to teach English, but for a cultural experience of a lifetime. Korean public school programs always try to keep their ESL players busy with summer camps, seminars, training, and planning for future terms.

Fortunately, Soni will get some rest at the end of the month when he will take holiday in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. A much needed trip to this stoic, yet mysterious nation will revive the soon to be 23-year old individual from America. "I'm definitely looking forward to the holiday. To chill out in a traditional tatami room, to try Japanese food, to tour the beautiful yet mysterious sites, and to compare cultures of Korea and Japan, I can't wait for the flight."

Soni will return on August 5th to begin another extra summer camp, this time at a middle school. "It'll be an opportunity to work with a younger crowd and gain more experience."

Then, its back to work on August 20th. The kids will be returning to the halls of Yeonsu, and Soni will be ready than ever to provide the cultural lessons, games, and English practice they will need to be proficient in this language.

As for a contract extension? "I have not even started thinking about that yet. I have yet to talk to my Agent (God) about that. He alone holds the answers to my future with this club and country," says Soni. Mark has the opportunity to exercise his option on his one-year deal with Yeonsu High, barring that the school decides to release him from the program. But with this potential to become a major player in the ESL field, especially through the help of his trainer and guide, the Holy Spirit, Soni has alot to show for when it comes to his job and mentorship of young peoples' lives.

Soni has mentioned that even though all options are on the on table, he will not be discussing any future contract decisions until the turn of next year.

"We're just getting into the fun part of my contract year, and you guys are already talking about extensions and other stuff? I'm just getting started! However, depending on how this year finishes, all options will be left open, and that's all I will say on that. I will leave it up to The Agent's hands."

Yet for now, we get to see an emerging star in The Land of the Morning Calm, who remains calm after weathering the first semester storm of life after college.