I decided to write something more lighter with all the economic issues, mass killings, hopelessness, worldly views, and despair in this world today. Here's something sweet in the midst of the sin that's in the world.
I'm teaching one of my favorite and more effective conversation lessons at my high school lately, called "High School English." I call it that because the PowerPoint addresses more trendier language usage such as "what's up" rather than "hi," and "how's it going" rather than "how are you."
Well, one of the questions in the lesson is "what've been up to lately?" Its a common conversation starter to see what the other person has been doing this past week. For a Korean learner, its important to give them a structured answer or formula to keep their answers to the point but at least allow them to maneuver for more answers.
The answer is, according to my PowerPoint, "Just been + Verb + ing." Insert any verb of choice to tell your listener "what've been up to lately."
I choose different kids in the classroom to present their answers to me, or practice the dialog with a partner in a different part of the classroom. They can earn $oni Dollars for their participation.
While teaching class 1-8, I ran out of volunteers as the main active girls already raised their hands and got the ball rolling. I needed more participation, so I decided to choose a girl of my own to keep them on their toes. "Jeong...Ji...Na. Who's Jeong Jina?"
Jina bashfully raises her hand and stands up. The girls are giggling at her.
Mr. Soni: "What's up, Jina?"
Jina: "Nothing much, what's up Mr. Soni."
Mr. Soni: "Nothing much, how's it going?"
Jina: "I'm cool."
Mr. Soni: "What've been up to lately?"
(Pause)
Jina: "...just been...LOVING...Mr. Soni!"
There is a huge roar of laughter and "ahhhhhs!" I'm quite embarrassed myself but being at a girl's high school, its natural to have a crush on the male teachers. Its part of Korean girls high school culture. So with her participation, I have to give her a $oni dollar for her efforts, but this time around, the girls see it as a "love gift," and as I hand the money to her the classmates around her "ahhh" in admiration.
One classmate, Kye-rin smirks at me, "I am going to cry now."
"Just been loving Mr. Soni."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
School Begins
For the third year, I began teaching English in the Republic of Korea.
This time around, there's not as much hype going around this one, which is a good thing.
I wasn't introduced in the "starting line-ups" of teachers at the opening ceremony this past Monday (the 3rd of March) because now I am not a rookie, but a veteran.
So to my new freshmen class, I'm a virtually unknown quantity, and I am guessing many didn't know that they had a native English teacher. (Many high schools in Incheon still do not have a native teacher for their English classes) I walked into their classrooms with surprised looks on their faces as they were saying in Korean, "who's this guy," or "he doesn't look Korean to me."
I actually enjoyed last week. I was introduced to any fanfare so I was out of the spotlight. In my first two years in Korea I was at two different schools, so there was a lot of raucous about me being the new foreign teacher. It was fun. Yet this time, instead of being a celeb, I could focus more on being a better teacher and stay out of the limelight.
Speaking of "walking into their classrooms," that was one of the first few changes I've made this past week. In past years, I usually taught in my class in the English Zone, a special designated classroom built in many schools to encourage an English Only environment. It's a special room with many colors and gimmicks, and is very advantageous for giving good lectures on the huge projector screen and has seating designed for group activities.
Even though the English Zone serves its purpose well, it sometimes can be tougher to work in. The reason is mental. Most students study hard in their regular classrooms and are mentally geared to work hard in that environment. So there were moments last year when students would come to the English Zone, see the funny colors and collages of pictures of world leaders on the wall, and become relaxed.
For the first few weeks, I will teach in their regular classroom as a way to bring legitimacy and a sense of order to the class. So far its working. After introducing the classroom rules and enforcing them while allowing them to get used to my teaching style, then I will bring them to the English Zone for further instruction. If the plan will work, who knows, but hey, I got to get the ball rolling right this year.
Teaching the new freshment will be nicer for one major reason: the class sizes. I have 36 students per class, average. That's down from 44 average last year. This means it will be easier to control on some levels as well as getting to know the students' faces more. Last year it was tough at times to maintain control while helping students understand the material at hand.
As for life in general in Korea, the transition back has been tougher than last year. I spent an awesome four-week vacation in the States, so coming back here and getting adjusted has taken a toll on my body, because I have to get adjusted to my work schedule as well as Korean time. This is not like for most people who go on vacation to a nearby ocean or another state and come back to work. For me, its fighting off jet lag in the States while adjusting to the peace and quiet, then coming right back into bright neon signs, buses going out of control, mayhem in the streets of Seoul, and the fast-track life.
But God is faithful and He has been ever so helpful in getting my mind and body adjusted.
Bonus: Funny quotes from this week's "Q & A Time With Mr. Soni" during the first week of classes:
Q: "Mr. Soni, do you like Korea?" (in which Mr. Soni has been living here for two years)
A: "Yes." (awkward silence, then laughter)
Q: "Mr. Soni, which one [of us students] is the most attractive?"
A: ......(looks over at Ms. Lee, Mr. Soni's co-teacher)
Student: "NOOOO! Not her!"
This time around, there's not as much hype going around this one, which is a good thing.
I wasn't introduced in the "starting line-ups" of teachers at the opening ceremony this past Monday (the 3rd of March) because now I am not a rookie, but a veteran.
So to my new freshmen class, I'm a virtually unknown quantity, and I am guessing many didn't know that they had a native English teacher. (Many high schools in Incheon still do not have a native teacher for their English classes) I walked into their classrooms with surprised looks on their faces as they were saying in Korean, "who's this guy," or "he doesn't look Korean to me."
I actually enjoyed last week. I was introduced to any fanfare so I was out of the spotlight. In my first two years in Korea I was at two different schools, so there was a lot of raucous about me being the new foreign teacher. It was fun. Yet this time, instead of being a celeb, I could focus more on being a better teacher and stay out of the limelight.
Speaking of "walking into their classrooms," that was one of the first few changes I've made this past week. In past years, I usually taught in my class in the English Zone, a special designated classroom built in many schools to encourage an English Only environment. It's a special room with many colors and gimmicks, and is very advantageous for giving good lectures on the huge projector screen and has seating designed for group activities.
Even though the English Zone serves its purpose well, it sometimes can be tougher to work in. The reason is mental. Most students study hard in their regular classrooms and are mentally geared to work hard in that environment. So there were moments last year when students would come to the English Zone, see the funny colors and collages of pictures of world leaders on the wall, and become relaxed.
For the first few weeks, I will teach in their regular classroom as a way to bring legitimacy and a sense of order to the class. So far its working. After introducing the classroom rules and enforcing them while allowing them to get used to my teaching style, then I will bring them to the English Zone for further instruction. If the plan will work, who knows, but hey, I got to get the ball rolling right this year.
Teaching the new freshment will be nicer for one major reason: the class sizes. I have 36 students per class, average. That's down from 44 average last year. This means it will be easier to control on some levels as well as getting to know the students' faces more. Last year it was tough at times to maintain control while helping students understand the material at hand.
As for life in general in Korea, the transition back has been tougher than last year. I spent an awesome four-week vacation in the States, so coming back here and getting adjusted has taken a toll on my body, because I have to get adjusted to my work schedule as well as Korean time. This is not like for most people who go on vacation to a nearby ocean or another state and come back to work. For me, its fighting off jet lag in the States while adjusting to the peace and quiet, then coming right back into bright neon signs, buses going out of control, mayhem in the streets of Seoul, and the fast-track life.
But God is faithful and He has been ever so helpful in getting my mind and body adjusted.
Bonus: Funny quotes from this week's "Q & A Time With Mr. Soni" during the first week of classes:
Q: "Mr. Soni, do you like Korea?" (in which Mr. Soni has been living here for two years)
A: "Yes." (awkward silence, then laughter)
Q: "Mr. Soni, which one [of us students] is the most attractive?"
A: ......(looks over at Ms. Lee, Mr. Soni's co-teacher)
Student: "NOOOO! Not her!"
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Return Of...
Yea, yea, so it would seem like Mr. Soni likes Korea. Just a little.
He likes travelling, learning the Korean language, connecting with people of his mama's tribe and learning about a new culture. In many ways, after living here since 2007, Mr. Soni has developed Korean tendencies himself. Just don't tell his parents that...
After an extensive and refreshing vacation back in the Washington DC/Metro area, Mr. Soni has returned to his school for another signed contract. He's going to dog-fight it in classroom trench warfare for another year. You would think after 2 years of teaching in mostly a non-productive classroom set-up that he would close shop and return home to the United States. That is not the case. The little man of 24 years has other plans.
"At first, I thought that I would do this for maybe 2 years at the most. You know, get some language acquisition, travel East Asia, earn some quick cash, then go home and re-start real life," said Mr. Soni on Saturday morning at a PC Bang in Incheon. "But God has allowed me to stay because I felt we just scratched the surface of what He can do through me this year."
Being a tough decision that it was, he knew that he would have to delay a permanent return to the United States. Yet confidence was the theme as he detailed what's the plan this year.
"Its really interesting. I really prayed about it and decided in freedom that this is where God wants me to be. There's alot of work to be done. I enjoy this opportunity to share the Truth with these students and to be a constant in their lives," remarked Soni.
Continuing the English teaching trade, he knows by now that through the limitations of the job there are certain holes of penetration where God can use the little boy teacher to give his students more brain food this year.
Mr. Soni outlined his plan for this year's curriculum, stating that most of last year's plans will be included in the Free English classes, with slight changes to reflect difficulty and more transparency. He also has planned reforms to the rulebook and to the mission statement of his course.
Rulebook changes include an emphasis of a easy punishment enforcement system so the students can understand when they are crossing the classroom rules' lines. In 2007, when Mr. Soni started his tenure at Yeonsu High School, even though grabbing the attention of the boys was very difficult at times, his soccer-based yellow/red card system was effective to letting them know that they pushed the teacher's buttons. In 2008, switching to a girls' school, Mr. Soni underestimated the way girls tended to push the rules, resulting in confusion of authority due to a lack of a foundational discipline/reward system.
According to the Soni Administration, the goal for this school year is to take the lessons from the first two years to combine for a final, "rounding-out" completed teaching project where he combines elements of fun classes, interactive activities, challenging intellectual moments, and more transparency in discipline and respect for the native teacher, all culminating from his brief 2 years of teaching.
"Its not overall too ambitious, because you can't really push the tape on ESL teaching in this country. Its just wisdom pulled from the teeth from two years of struggle and joy. Its a more practical approach to maintain a balance, from making sure that my new students understand that I'm serious from the get-go, but I let up on the pedal to ease things up as we get more into learning more conversational English," remarked Mr. Soni.
As for the mission statement, Mr. Soni credits his former boss and section chieft from last year, Mrs. Son (pronounced "sohn," not "sun"). Mrs. Son remarked how students at Hakik Girls High School became more interested in the English language last year. Even though the students overall proficiency did not improve last year, she left Mr. Soni with a personal report that she sees the potential for Free English to be a motivator for future English studies.
"After a huge debriefing with Mrs. Son last week, she came up with the wonderful conclusion that Free English, since it is not graded, should be more about getting students more interested in the English language. After much more thought about that, I 100% agree with her. Because most of the time the issue in Korean high schools is that there is no motivation to study a language that at times seems robotic and automatic at best," analyzed Soni. "Our mission statement for the class this year is to motivate and encourage students to study the English language. "
Adding to this, Mr. Soni sees that his role is more free and less demanding than before. "I felt as if I had to produce some kind of English miracle where students at the end of the school year would be holding debates or at last carry decent conversations. No doubt some of my students improved, but nonetheless language acquisition takes years, and having this kind of mission statement makes things much easier to conduct class."
The semester for the new school year starts Monday, with a new class of freshmen girls rolling into the school with bunches of new teachers and staff on hand, ready to teach the intense courses necessary for college preparation.
Holdovers like Mr. Soni will be an awesome benefit for the school, especially since almighty God will use him some more. If this be our teacher's final year in this country, than he knows that there's alot riding on this year.
"I talk big about my ambitions going into the school year, but let's keep one thing clear. If I don't do this for God's Glory, than this whole talk and act of becoming a better teacher just goes out the window. He's the one who gave me this job. He's the one who should be getting the Glory, hence others should be pointed to Him. I'm his ambassador and I got this awfully big responsiblity of being a teacher and a role-model in their lives. Than again, all we needed was grace, so to my kids I will do my best to give it to them, especially when they start struggling with the rigors of high school life. As God breathed life into me through His Son, Jesus, I want to be a fresh breath for these young individuals called Korean students. "
With so many ambitious plans for teaching and for other God-called purposes in his future life here in Korea and around the world, Mark Soni has one thing to say how to wrap up this 09 School Year Plan: "Matthew 6:33...seek ye first the kingdom of God..."
09 is Year of the Divine, yea ya'll.
(Article written by Anono Mus)
He likes travelling, learning the Korean language, connecting with people of his mama's tribe and learning about a new culture. In many ways, after living here since 2007, Mr. Soni has developed Korean tendencies himself. Just don't tell his parents that...
After an extensive and refreshing vacation back in the Washington DC/Metro area, Mr. Soni has returned to his school for another signed contract. He's going to dog-fight it in classroom trench warfare for another year. You would think after 2 years of teaching in mostly a non-productive classroom set-up that he would close shop and return home to the United States. That is not the case. The little man of 24 years has other plans.
"At first, I thought that I would do this for maybe 2 years at the most. You know, get some language acquisition, travel East Asia, earn some quick cash, then go home and re-start real life," said Mr. Soni on Saturday morning at a PC Bang in Incheon. "But God has allowed me to stay because I felt we just scratched the surface of what He can do through me this year."
Being a tough decision that it was, he knew that he would have to delay a permanent return to the United States. Yet confidence was the theme as he detailed what's the plan this year.
"Its really interesting. I really prayed about it and decided in freedom that this is where God wants me to be. There's alot of work to be done. I enjoy this opportunity to share the Truth with these students and to be a constant in their lives," remarked Soni.
Continuing the English teaching trade, he knows by now that through the limitations of the job there are certain holes of penetration where God can use the little boy teacher to give his students more brain food this year.
Mr. Soni outlined his plan for this year's curriculum, stating that most of last year's plans will be included in the Free English classes, with slight changes to reflect difficulty and more transparency. He also has planned reforms to the rulebook and to the mission statement of his course.
Rulebook changes include an emphasis of a easy punishment enforcement system so the students can understand when they are crossing the classroom rules' lines. In 2007, when Mr. Soni started his tenure at Yeonsu High School, even though grabbing the attention of the boys was very difficult at times, his soccer-based yellow/red card system was effective to letting them know that they pushed the teacher's buttons. In 2008, switching to a girls' school, Mr. Soni underestimated the way girls tended to push the rules, resulting in confusion of authority due to a lack of a foundational discipline/reward system.
According to the Soni Administration, the goal for this school year is to take the lessons from the first two years to combine for a final, "rounding-out" completed teaching project where he combines elements of fun classes, interactive activities, challenging intellectual moments, and more transparency in discipline and respect for the native teacher, all culminating from his brief 2 years of teaching.
"Its not overall too ambitious, because you can't really push the tape on ESL teaching in this country. Its just wisdom pulled from the teeth from two years of struggle and joy. Its a more practical approach to maintain a balance, from making sure that my new students understand that I'm serious from the get-go, but I let up on the pedal to ease things up as we get more into learning more conversational English," remarked Mr. Soni.
As for the mission statement, Mr. Soni credits his former boss and section chieft from last year, Mrs. Son (pronounced "sohn," not "sun"). Mrs. Son remarked how students at Hakik Girls High School became more interested in the English language last year. Even though the students overall proficiency did not improve last year, she left Mr. Soni with a personal report that she sees the potential for Free English to be a motivator for future English studies.
"After a huge debriefing with Mrs. Son last week, she came up with the wonderful conclusion that Free English, since it is not graded, should be more about getting students more interested in the English language. After much more thought about that, I 100% agree with her. Because most of the time the issue in Korean high schools is that there is no motivation to study a language that at times seems robotic and automatic at best," analyzed Soni. "Our mission statement for the class this year is to motivate and encourage students to study the English language. "
Adding to this, Mr. Soni sees that his role is more free and less demanding than before. "I felt as if I had to produce some kind of English miracle where students at the end of the school year would be holding debates or at last carry decent conversations. No doubt some of my students improved, but nonetheless language acquisition takes years, and having this kind of mission statement makes things much easier to conduct class."
The semester for the new school year starts Monday, with a new class of freshmen girls rolling into the school with bunches of new teachers and staff on hand, ready to teach the intense courses necessary for college preparation.
Holdovers like Mr. Soni will be an awesome benefit for the school, especially since almighty God will use him some more. If this be our teacher's final year in this country, than he knows that there's alot riding on this year.
"I talk big about my ambitions going into the school year, but let's keep one thing clear. If I don't do this for God's Glory, than this whole talk and act of becoming a better teacher just goes out the window. He's the one who gave me this job. He's the one who should be getting the Glory, hence others should be pointed to Him. I'm his ambassador and I got this awfully big responsiblity of being a teacher and a role-model in their lives. Than again, all we needed was grace, so to my kids I will do my best to give it to them, especially when they start struggling with the rigors of high school life. As God breathed life into me through His Son, Jesus, I want to be a fresh breath for these young individuals called Korean students. "
With so many ambitious plans for teaching and for other God-called purposes in his future life here in Korea and around the world, Mark Soni has one thing to say how to wrap up this 09 School Year Plan: "Matthew 6:33...seek ye first the kingdom of God..."
09 is Year of the Divine, yea ya'll.
(Article written by Anono Mus)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
America: Land of the Free
Washington DC at Night
I'm leaving for Korea tomorrow for year 3 in my Korean teaching tenure. My school has graciously allowed me to sign another contract with them. I enjoyed my time teaching there and its been awesome to be in this situation.
My school was also really cool to allow me to go home for vacation, and I spent a good amount of time here in the USA. I got to catch up with my family, old friends, and made some new friends. It was really awesome.
I got to eat my Taco Bell, Mexican food, hamburgers, my mom's food (the best), and all the good foods that America has, including some good ol' fashion BBQ from the South. My face is evidence that I tasted all those good foods.
I saw many neat things in America as I landed, from the Inauguration of a new president to some of the coolest sights the city of Washington DC has to offer. Its really awesome to be living in this area of the world.
My Washington Wizards suck, but that's the pain of rebuilding. They'll be back next year. The Wizards are 11-42. Ouch.
The economy in the US is not doing so hot, with jobs being lost everyday. Its getting really bad here. It hasn't been this bad since the 1930's. People are looking for work and families are being uprooted because of lost jobs. Its really bad.
Even though we face this economic crisis monster, life still seems the same here on many superficial levels. We're still a nation of entertainment, fine dining, HD television, videogames, and pleasures. We work hard and we want our fun.
Its been really nice to home, to see the cool aspects of our country, and at the same time be at dismay with some things that are poking holes in our society's fabric.
Everyone is talking about the economy, which is going to affect alot of our lives. Yet at the same time we are society that struggles with holding families together, crime, and meaninglessness. It is sad. Even though we are rife with economic issues and it has forced many to save and re-evaluate our lives, there are many who are struggling with their marriages, families, and maintaining whole relationships.
The Supreme Court
As I go back tomorrow to the Republic of Korea to continue the work the Lord has given me, I hope that my friends and family in America stick to the Truth in God's Word and be ready for a battle on their hands.
My pastor was talking about in the passage of Acts where Paul and Silas (Acts 16) were arrested for doing the Lord's work and getting a spirit out of a woman who kept yelling at them. In the midst of their trials and beatings...which were pretty severe, in verse 25 it talks about how they "were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them." In the midst of their pain and persecution they were still being a light to the other prisoners around them.
We as believers are going through tough times ahead because the world's problems will affect us in some way. The world is going to moan, whine, and complain and try to solve these problems the way they know they can...through own their strength and human reasoning.
We as believers however, don't have to be affected by the world's problems because we trust in a God who is bigger than 10 million economies. He alone is our provider in these situations. We need to be the song for those to hear in a dark, dark world who don't see any solution in sight.
I go back to Korea with great passion for its people and especially for my students at Hakik Girls High School. These dark times are going to force me and my brothers and sisters in Christ to fight a more difficult battle ahead as we desire to be Children of God (see John 2:28). Yet there is a great hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
I grow older, stronger, wiser, but ready to learn some more. And ready to fight. We need to be Children of God, because no one else will provide hope. Only Jesus Christ can do that for this world.
It was a great time in America, yet its time for the return...of the Boy Teacher.
Monday, January 26, 2009
People and Animals
Meanwhile, back in America, I sat down to watch the CBS Evening News tonight. It was nice to catch up and watch the news with CBS' Katie Couric, who took the job after long-time anchors Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer hanged up their suits.
Tonight's stories ran through the usual headlines about politics and world affairs, while detailing the massive lay-offs that many companies are forced to make due to the economic crisis that is sweeping the world. The news usually brings the more negative side of life, which in turn makes many Americans ignore the news or turn it off altogether.
Usually, to brighten the mood, alot of newscasts will end the show with a humanitarian story. The whole point is to bring a smile to the viewers' face after they usually watch a half-hour of events that deal with stories that are not optimistic. Economic depression, war, murder, scandals, the list of the effects of sin goes on.
Humanitarian stories usually have two distinct goals when presented to the TV viewer: 1. to show that humans have potential good, 2. to brighten the mood.
So tonight's story was about...cats.
Cats are my favorite animals. I think they are some of the cutest creatures on this earth: with their round heads and whiskers and the way they pounce, purr, and sleep their way through the day. Their small little noses, and of course, their distinct "meow" always brings a smile to my face. When I see a kitty cat in the room, my disposition changes. I love cats. The irony of this blog is that I am allergic to cats.
So I'm watching this humanitarian story about cats, about a man named Jonathan Rosenberg, a successful Internet businessman who has made millions of dollars throughout his career.
Then he gives it all up...for cats.
Check out the story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/26/eveningnews/main4754449.shtml?tag=topStories;secondStory.
He creates this shelter for cats called Tabby's Place, in honor of his 15-year old cat who passed away from cancer. He loves cats so much that he created his own shelter to house and treat cats of diseases and put them up for adoption. So, you would think this is just another animal shelter for cats...big deal. "Awwww...look at the cute little kittie, let's adopt him."
Yet what is unique in this story is the kind of cats that Mr. Rosenberg and his wife takes in: cats with really funky dispositions and illnesses. One cat, Tashi, cannot even use his hind legs. One cat is allergic...to humans. One cat flips her disposition...friendly one moment, then tries to swipe at you in the next. Another cat does not want to come down. One poor cat is missing an eye and an ear. Its really sad to watch these poor cats.
He takes in all cats, but he has a fondness for cats that are really messed up, the cats that nobody wants.
Now, to most casual humans, people would think this guy and his wife are just being nice. Some people who don't really care for animals would probably be like, "why did he spent so much money on dumb cats when he could have donated that money to organizations that help humans? Who cares about these messed-up felines?"
What one person must realize however, is that humans have a special responsibility to take care of animals while we are custodians of the dominion called Earth. It says so in the Bible:
"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" (Genesis 1:28)
To rule gives us the right to subject the animals God has created to be under our supervision. Yet sometimes people will take the word, "to rule," as saying, "we can do whatever in the world we want to animals and no one can stop us." We eat certain animals while we have subjected some to be our pets, while to help us in labor, or some to help us keep warm. Its the power God has allowed us as human beings. We can subject the animals to our will, but we have to remind ourselves one thing from the passages of Scripture:
(Colossians 1:15-17): "He is the image of the of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Who is He? Jesus of course. All things on heaven and earth, whether be angels in heaven, to skunks, and for this blog, kitty cats, everything was made by him and for him. Everything that has been established here on the dominion of earth was made for God's Glory, and He has entrusted us with the power to subject animals. Jesus is the ultimate reason why things were made, for His glory and all things are held by him together. We should become like Jesus is: to our fellow man with love, and to take care of his creation, and ultimately, to love the Lord our God.
So, looking at the Genesis and now the Colossians' scripture, to rule does not mean we can do whatever we want to animals as we see fit. We have to understand by looking at the Scripture that we are stewards of his creation. We must not only love another in Christ (John 13:35), but also acknolwedge his awesome creation.
Sometimes, we overlook animals. Of course, Christ came to save mankind from sin. Yet, one of the joys of being a born-again believer is to see the beauty of his creation. In this case, this humanitarian story taught me some really neat lessons about caring for God's creatures and the lessons that it brings. I don't know if Mr. Rosenberg believes in God and His Son, but I think he's on the right track of realizing how delicate life is. He takes in the cats that no one hardly cares for: the socially awkward and physically ill cats.
Some of the cats don't respond to Mr. Rosenberg's love. Some hiss at him. Some he has to spend alot of time and money to fix up some cats who have serious medical issues. Some cats are lonely. Yet some cats make it and finally have a place to live in when a loving family comes by and adopts one.
"Wouldn't it have been more rewarding for you to take cats that are easier to adopt out?" Schlesinger (the reporter) asked.
"No," Rosenberg said. "It wouldn't be because my heart really goes out to the cats like these, that I shouldn't say no one else wants, but for the most part no one else wants."
When we take care of animals, it should be a reminder of the awesomeness of God and his power to create these animals, for His glory. Also, taking care of His creation should remind us that we have a loving God who always takes care of us with tender care and love, because we are created in His image.
So the next time you cuddle with your cat, your dog, your pet gerbil, or whatever goofy pet you have your in house and how that pet responds to your love and care. Remember how much more of our God cares the pride of His creation...us. In turn, let us not forget those other people in our lives who are down and out and in the world's eyes is not desired.
Just like these messed-up cats, humans who have serious issues in their lives can be the most surprising people who might turn from their life of sin and go to a powerful God who can change them, transform them, and love them. From down and out cats to adopted ones in loving families, when we turn from our life of wicked sin, we became wanted creatures in God's Kingdom. Adopted by the King of Kings.
It all starts with Him. His creatures are just a reminder of that.
Tonight's stories ran through the usual headlines about politics and world affairs, while detailing the massive lay-offs that many companies are forced to make due to the economic crisis that is sweeping the world. The news usually brings the more negative side of life, which in turn makes many Americans ignore the news or turn it off altogether.
Usually, to brighten the mood, alot of newscasts will end the show with a humanitarian story. The whole point is to bring a smile to the viewers' face after they usually watch a half-hour of events that deal with stories that are not optimistic. Economic depression, war, murder, scandals, the list of the effects of sin goes on.
Humanitarian stories usually have two distinct goals when presented to the TV viewer: 1. to show that humans have potential good, 2. to brighten the mood.
So tonight's story was about...cats.
Cats are my favorite animals. I think they are some of the cutest creatures on this earth: with their round heads and whiskers and the way they pounce, purr, and sleep their way through the day. Their small little noses, and of course, their distinct "meow" always brings a smile to my face. When I see a kitty cat in the room, my disposition changes. I love cats. The irony of this blog is that I am allergic to cats.
So I'm watching this humanitarian story about cats, about a man named Jonathan Rosenberg, a successful Internet businessman who has made millions of dollars throughout his career.
Then he gives it all up...for cats.
Check out the story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/26/eveningnews/main4754449.shtml?tag=topStories;secondStory.
He creates this shelter for cats called Tabby's Place, in honor of his 15-year old cat who passed away from cancer. He loves cats so much that he created his own shelter to house and treat cats of diseases and put them up for adoption. So, you would think this is just another animal shelter for cats...big deal. "Awwww...look at the cute little kittie, let's adopt him."
Yet what is unique in this story is the kind of cats that Mr. Rosenberg and his wife takes in: cats with really funky dispositions and illnesses. One cat, Tashi, cannot even use his hind legs. One cat is allergic...to humans. One cat flips her disposition...friendly one moment, then tries to swipe at you in the next. Another cat does not want to come down. One poor cat is missing an eye and an ear. Its really sad to watch these poor cats.
He takes in all cats, but he has a fondness for cats that are really messed up, the cats that nobody wants.
Now, to most casual humans, people would think this guy and his wife are just being nice. Some people who don't really care for animals would probably be like, "why did he spent so much money on dumb cats when he could have donated that money to organizations that help humans? Who cares about these messed-up felines?"
What one person must realize however, is that humans have a special responsibility to take care of animals while we are custodians of the dominion called Earth. It says so in the Bible:
"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" (Genesis 1:28)
To rule gives us the right to subject the animals God has created to be under our supervision. Yet sometimes people will take the word, "to rule," as saying, "we can do whatever in the world we want to animals and no one can stop us." We eat certain animals while we have subjected some to be our pets, while to help us in labor, or some to help us keep warm. Its the power God has allowed us as human beings. We can subject the animals to our will, but we have to remind ourselves one thing from the passages of Scripture:
(Colossians 1:15-17): "He is the image of the of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Who is He? Jesus of course. All things on heaven and earth, whether be angels in heaven, to skunks, and for this blog, kitty cats, everything was made by him and for him. Everything that has been established here on the dominion of earth was made for God's Glory, and He has entrusted us with the power to subject animals. Jesus is the ultimate reason why things were made, for His glory and all things are held by him together. We should become like Jesus is: to our fellow man with love, and to take care of his creation, and ultimately, to love the Lord our God.
So, looking at the Genesis and now the Colossians' scripture, to rule does not mean we can do whatever we want to animals as we see fit. We have to understand by looking at the Scripture that we are stewards of his creation. We must not only love another in Christ (John 13:35), but also acknolwedge his awesome creation.
Sometimes, we overlook animals. Of course, Christ came to save mankind from sin. Yet, one of the joys of being a born-again believer is to see the beauty of his creation. In this case, this humanitarian story taught me some really neat lessons about caring for God's creatures and the lessons that it brings. I don't know if Mr. Rosenberg believes in God and His Son, but I think he's on the right track of realizing how delicate life is. He takes in the cats that no one hardly cares for: the socially awkward and physically ill cats.
Some of the cats don't respond to Mr. Rosenberg's love. Some hiss at him. Some he has to spend alot of time and money to fix up some cats who have serious medical issues. Some cats are lonely. Yet some cats make it and finally have a place to live in when a loving family comes by and adopts one.
"Wouldn't it have been more rewarding for you to take cats that are easier to adopt out?" Schlesinger (the reporter) asked.
"No," Rosenberg said. "It wouldn't be because my heart really goes out to the cats like these, that I shouldn't say no one else wants, but for the most part no one else wants."
When we take care of animals, it should be a reminder of the awesomeness of God and his power to create these animals, for His glory. Also, taking care of His creation should remind us that we have a loving God who always takes care of us with tender care and love, because we are created in His image.
So the next time you cuddle with your cat, your dog, your pet gerbil, or whatever goofy pet you have your in house and how that pet responds to your love and care. Remember how much more of our God cares the pride of His creation...us. In turn, let us not forget those other people in our lives who are down and out and in the world's eyes is not desired.
Just like these messed-up cats, humans who have serious issues in their lives can be the most surprising people who might turn from their life of sin and go to a powerful God who can change them, transform them, and love them. From down and out cats to adopted ones in loving families, when we turn from our life of wicked sin, we became wanted creatures in God's Kingdom. Adopted by the King of Kings.
It all starts with Him. His creatures are just a reminder of that.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Return to America
Hey ya'll. I officially finished the year at my school and I will be returning to America for a few weeks. I can't wait.
I return the 20th of January, the same day Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States of America, right in the nation's capital, which is not too far from my home.
Our country is getting rocked by the economic crisis, a loss confidence in the health care system, a war in Afghanistan (while Iraq is improving), no money in the government coffers, and a total loss of direction for our people.
I hope this will be a time not of depression, even though economically it seems to be heading that way. But where our people can get out of this depression in the spirit, to seek the Lord. Only the Lord can bring security in times of need.
Mr. Obama, I respect him alot, even though on some major issues I disagree with him. He is bi-racial like me and a very intelligent man, and I will continue to pray for him that he makes the right choice. God allowed him to be in power, so I hope Mr. O in part will revere God and seek His wisdom in choices, just like King Solomon did.
He's got alot on his hands, and he's going to be under alot of pressure to deliver.
Yet I think, after his inauguration is over and his administration kicks off, the onus will be more on us, the Americans. Our families are breaking down, savings are down, we spend more on entertainment than time with our families. We spend time eating more than we exercise and playing outside.
Pleasure is the name of the game, rather than the search for Truth. Kids lack direction from their fathers and mothers, and instead get it from their peers. Authority is breaking down on every level, and we need to get back to the basics of respect and observing who is higher than us.
So, its going to be a great and intersting time in our history. I don't expect anything new, because like it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, "there is nothing new under the sun." Obama is not going to change people's lives. He can change the political environment and help spur the economy with his policies. However, what people need is change...not from the top, but within.
Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). That's it. That's what America needs. Hope for Change...within.
I can't wait to go home!
I return the 20th of January, the same day Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States of America, right in the nation's capital, which is not too far from my home.
Our country is getting rocked by the economic crisis, a loss confidence in the health care system, a war in Afghanistan (while Iraq is improving), no money in the government coffers, and a total loss of direction for our people.
I hope this will be a time not of depression, even though economically it seems to be heading that way. But where our people can get out of this depression in the spirit, to seek the Lord. Only the Lord can bring security in times of need.
Mr. Obama, I respect him alot, even though on some major issues I disagree with him. He is bi-racial like me and a very intelligent man, and I will continue to pray for him that he makes the right choice. God allowed him to be in power, so I hope Mr. O in part will revere God and seek His wisdom in choices, just like King Solomon did.
He's got alot on his hands, and he's going to be under alot of pressure to deliver.
Yet I think, after his inauguration is over and his administration kicks off, the onus will be more on us, the Americans. Our families are breaking down, savings are down, we spend more on entertainment than time with our families. We spend time eating more than we exercise and playing outside.
Pleasure is the name of the game, rather than the search for Truth. Kids lack direction from their fathers and mothers, and instead get it from their peers. Authority is breaking down on every level, and we need to get back to the basics of respect and observing who is higher than us.
So, its going to be a great and intersting time in our history. I don't expect anything new, because like it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, "there is nothing new under the sun." Obama is not going to change people's lives. He can change the political environment and help spur the economy with his policies. However, what people need is change...not from the top, but within.
Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). That's it. That's what America needs. Hope for Change...within.
I can't wait to go home!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Did You Eat Your English Turnips Today?
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." - 1 Corinthians 8:1b
This will be a rant blog, and sometimes criticism is not always a bad thing. If done properly, criticism can lead to some interesting conclusions about a subject and and a write can be able to provide suggestions to the issues at hand. However criticism, if only done just for the sake of attacking something and leaving most viewpoints out, can be quite depressing.
With that in mind, let's take a look at my experience about how English is served up in the land of Korea, some of the positives and negatives, and some possible conclusions on where this whole English main course is going...to true global awareness or utter repugnance. Did you eat your English turnips today?
South Korea's sole mission statement in learning the English language is to become a "global player in a globalized society; to prepare our citizens to become global-minded people in the midst of globalization." (Paraphrased mission statement from various orientations I went to)
South Korea, a world economic player, is trying to capitalize on its export economy by becoming more international business-minded, in hopes of achieving more economic growth and wealth. More wealth means more image improving; the eventual goal to become a great nation on this earth. Wow, it sounds like global domination, but from the impression I'm getting after seminar after teacher conference about Korea's push for English education, it seems like their sole goal is improving its image and flexing its economic muscles more. In theory, its not a bad goal. Every nation should utilize its human capital and invest in the next generation's education to prepare for a productive future; to benefit and enrich the lives of Koreans.
So, here I am in my classroom at Hakik Girls High School. Everyday, my ladies have to learn this language called English. I walk in, set my materials on the teacher's desk, and verbally fight for five minutes to get my girls to calm down while I try to explain the day's lesson. For 50 minutes, its either a struggle or a cake walk to get the girls' to practice their English in some way or form: either through writing, speaking, reading, or listening. Since my actual class is not graded (why should it be? I'm not a licensed-teacher), getting the girls to focus can be a struggle, but through God's Power and the cooperation of my ladies', most of the time it has not been so bad (see my interview in my previous blog). In fact, there are some classes where I am like, "wow, God that was you teaching in the classroom...not me."
My class is called "Free English" (영어재량 in Korean), or a weekly class that I teach to every single homeroom class in the 1st grade (9th grade in America). The purpose of this class is to allow kids to receive instruction from an authentic native speaker and have a chance to practice English freely in the classroom. Sounds great on paper. I'm loving it so far. Having a native speaker is the next generation upgrade to their English program: to have a native speaker bring the cultural flair to their program and to allow their kids to have a chance to speak English for fluency purposes and to bring the outside world in to their classroom. This is so cool.
Moving on, based on their level, all the kids in the school receive English instruction from various Korean-English teachers, who teach from a strict curriculum where they are taught listening, reading, and grammar.
In general, most teachers never teach speaking or writing the actual language.
The way the kids learn English here is astounding. Especially my 2nd graders (11th graders in America), the students have to memorize whole chunks of English vocabulary and grammatical structures. Kids have texts and lists dedicated to wholesale memorization. I see my girls, from little freshmen to my mature junior girls, pouring over text after text, practice test over practice test, and book after book trying to "memorize" my language.
"English to become a globalized society." Incheon, the port city where I live, was recently designated an "English City," with the goal of becoming a city able to communicate and help support the international community within a certain period of time. Good stuff. They are in fact building the "Songdo International City," a Hong Kong-like replica metropolis designed to support an international trade hub for the future. With South Korea's location in East Asia, this is actually a good idea.
One of the first warm-ups I give to my students at the beginning of every school year (from my exhaustive two-year career here in Korea) is a questionnaire about them and their reasons for studying English. Like they have a choice (it is a required subject for all children, like in most countries). But for the fun of it, I try to test their mettle to see what they say when I wrote the question, "why do you study English?" Most answers are pretty much the same: "because we have to," or my favorite, "to become a global citizen."
My students pour over almost 13 or more hours of study everyday at school or at the Hagwon, or private academy (not to be confused with an actual school, but an academy where businesses set-up privately-run programs that teach individual subjects such as English, Math, Korean, or Science). My students go to school, learn 7 different subjects a day, where they cram themselves to oblivion, especially in English. However, the decision to learn this language starts from the top.
The Korean government is insistent that in order for Korea to grow, they should improve their English program to improve their competitiveness because of English as a global language today. So, the national government and city governments have invested vast amounts of cash to get native speakers from the Big Six (US, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Australia, and South Africa) to come to teach at the hagwons or public schools to let their children grow in the English language. Again, I'm presenting all these facets of English instruction and Korea's response to improve their programs, and it sounds good so far. Globalization for growth as a nation, global-mindedness to help Koreans integrate into a new world where people are travelling at will and where information is being exchanged at fast-rates thanks to the Internet and telecommunications.
However, we run into some problems. One place to start is in the Korean mindset: Confucianism. Confucianism has a huge powerplay in all aspects in Koreans. It defines relationships, respect, order, power, and education. Not being an expert on Confucianism, I cannot quote to you his wonderful licks of philosophical goodness. However, from what I do remember from my Korean teachers and other foreigners I run into and the informal education I receive on Mr. C's ideas on how to run the game, it doesn't surprise me that English education runs into its first problems in the classroom here.
In Confucianism, everyone's got a set role in relationships. Student respects teacher, son respects parents, 1st son gets dibs on everything, sisters respect their brothers and whatever is at the bottom only gets to look up. No horizontal equality going here, like in most relationships in the West. Earlier, I emphazied one characteristic trait about Confucianism from earlier, order. In Korean society, which is really tight at its core in terms of relationships, order is the essence of bringing harmony to society. Everyone, especially in the career ladder, has their dues to pay in terms of seniority and prestige. You wear the badge, you got the part, you're the sixth man from the bench, just do your role. Even Korean Christians still run into Confucian thinking from time to time, and its hard not to when you are reared in Korea. (As Christians, are thinking should be upgraded with Christ, see Romans 12:2)
Okay, so its time to lasso this tangent so I can can pump some truth into this blog: English can be a challenge to teach with the Korean mindset.
Imagine you are in a class with 44 ladies or boys in one classroom (as I have described in the past). Imagine you got an education abroad in the United States for a year, a golden ticket set up by mommy and daddy to study in an American school so you can take advantage of Korea's push for English turnips. You meet a whole slew of new friends abroad, but its time to come home and contribute to the Motherland by finishing your education here.
You get this new native teacher in your school, and you're excited because its another opportunity to practice your English and keep it sharp for your time in high school. He or she comes in, but then you realize you are not allowed to speak English in the class. What? Class rules? New policy of modesty and respect?
No, Confucianism. No one likes a show-off. You try to speak English to the new teacher, then everyone starts going "oooooohhhhhh!" "Wah, Jin-mi can speak English!" "Oh, she's trying to flirt with the new teacher," or "what a showoff, she can speak English." Jealous is a natural by-product of advancement.
To actually teach conversation in class can be very challenging. Anyone with real English skills will be viewed with jealously and sneering, or even teasing. Then the kids who do not have much English skills struggle with confidence to try speaking.
Then, with the actual classroom size, its very difficult to do an activity where productive, actual free talking can take place. It can frustrating at times.
Alot of my classes this year were actually good, but the majority of the time I have to take advantage of a large class by using the chorus-style repetition to get participation. It can actually be more fun this way, because many of the girls in my class have a good sense of humor.
But as for actual investment and dividends in my classes, only a few get the material and some of them actually remember it. The whole idea of obtaining education for yourself is a very different concept here in the East as in the West, meaning that most of the education is uniform and all the students are educated in the same fashion. Individual thought is hard to come by, with only the most exceptional students from time to time giving me an opinion about their lives or about the world around them.
So, is my goal in 2009 to smash Confucian-thinking? Of course not. Its built into the culture. You can't stop that. Cultural mores are something to be respected, especially as a foreigner. However, it should not be a liability in the classroom when it comes to practical learning of foreign languages.
One of my goals this upcoming year is not to bring a revolution in the Free English classroom. One of my goals is that the Lord can use me to inspire my students to desire to learn English by making classes that show the human side of English. Meanwhile, instead of focusing on so much of the problems that plague this education system, perhaps I can starting putting my teaching skills to the Lord and allow Him to make things work in the classroom. Sometimes, its easy to feel helpless when you are given a situation where many of the girls have no interest in your English or don't have a real incentive to try.
For English to be effective in this society, I think its not just real, good instruction that will allow Korea's students become more fluent. Its got to be a change in the mind-set and exposure to outside cultures. I think one major advantage of bringing in foreigners is that we can bring the world to them without them travelling. English is seen as a language of the oppressor, but it should be seen as a tool and weapon for not survival, but for connecting to the outside.
Even though education is a right, it should always come down to choice.
Its my students choice to either talk to me and practice their English. And its my choice if I should follow the world's thinking and think that this class is not going to affect my students. Or, I can choose to follow God and seek His wisdom in turning turnips to...sweet fruits of truth.
As I crash into 2009 at Hakik Girls High, and perhaps my final year in Korea, I want to finish this campaign on a great note...that I did a good job, and that my girls learned something. Glory to God in the Highest: anything I do, from busting raps to teaching English to learning the Korean language, 2009 is not the Year of the Dragon, but the Year of the Divine.
This will be a rant blog, and sometimes criticism is not always a bad thing. If done properly, criticism can lead to some interesting conclusions about a subject and and a write can be able to provide suggestions to the issues at hand. However criticism, if only done just for the sake of attacking something and leaving most viewpoints out, can be quite depressing.
With that in mind, let's take a look at my experience about how English is served up in the land of Korea, some of the positives and negatives, and some possible conclusions on where this whole English main course is going...to true global awareness or utter repugnance. Did you eat your English turnips today?
South Korea's sole mission statement in learning the English language is to become a "global player in a globalized society; to prepare our citizens to become global-minded people in the midst of globalization." (Paraphrased mission statement from various orientations I went to)
South Korea, a world economic player, is trying to capitalize on its export economy by becoming more international business-minded, in hopes of achieving more economic growth and wealth. More wealth means more image improving; the eventual goal to become a great nation on this earth. Wow, it sounds like global domination, but from the impression I'm getting after seminar after teacher conference about Korea's push for English education, it seems like their sole goal is improving its image and flexing its economic muscles more. In theory, its not a bad goal. Every nation should utilize its human capital and invest in the next generation's education to prepare for a productive future; to benefit and enrich the lives of Koreans.
So, here I am in my classroom at Hakik Girls High School. Everyday, my ladies have to learn this language called English. I walk in, set my materials on the teacher's desk, and verbally fight for five minutes to get my girls to calm down while I try to explain the day's lesson. For 50 minutes, its either a struggle or a cake walk to get the girls' to practice their English in some way or form: either through writing, speaking, reading, or listening. Since my actual class is not graded (why should it be? I'm not a licensed-teacher), getting the girls to focus can be a struggle, but through God's Power and the cooperation of my ladies', most of the time it has not been so bad (see my interview in my previous blog). In fact, there are some classes where I am like, "wow, God that was you teaching in the classroom...not me."
My class is called "Free English" (영어재량 in Korean), or a weekly class that I teach to every single homeroom class in the 1st grade (9th grade in America). The purpose of this class is to allow kids to receive instruction from an authentic native speaker and have a chance to practice English freely in the classroom. Sounds great on paper. I'm loving it so far. Having a native speaker is the next generation upgrade to their English program: to have a native speaker bring the cultural flair to their program and to allow their kids to have a chance to speak English for fluency purposes and to bring the outside world in to their classroom. This is so cool.
Moving on, based on their level, all the kids in the school receive English instruction from various Korean-English teachers, who teach from a strict curriculum where they are taught listening, reading, and grammar.
In general, most teachers never teach speaking or writing the actual language.
The way the kids learn English here is astounding. Especially my 2nd graders (11th graders in America), the students have to memorize whole chunks of English vocabulary and grammatical structures. Kids have texts and lists dedicated to wholesale memorization. I see my girls, from little freshmen to my mature junior girls, pouring over text after text, practice test over practice test, and book after book trying to "memorize" my language.
"English to become a globalized society." Incheon, the port city where I live, was recently designated an "English City," with the goal of becoming a city able to communicate and help support the international community within a certain period of time. Good stuff. They are in fact building the "Songdo International City," a Hong Kong-like replica metropolis designed to support an international trade hub for the future. With South Korea's location in East Asia, this is actually a good idea.
One of the first warm-ups I give to my students at the beginning of every school year (from my exhaustive two-year career here in Korea) is a questionnaire about them and their reasons for studying English. Like they have a choice (it is a required subject for all children, like in most countries). But for the fun of it, I try to test their mettle to see what they say when I wrote the question, "why do you study English?" Most answers are pretty much the same: "because we have to," or my favorite, "to become a global citizen."
My students pour over almost 13 or more hours of study everyday at school or at the Hagwon, or private academy (not to be confused with an actual school, but an academy where businesses set-up privately-run programs that teach individual subjects such as English, Math, Korean, or Science). My students go to school, learn 7 different subjects a day, where they cram themselves to oblivion, especially in English. However, the decision to learn this language starts from the top.
The Korean government is insistent that in order for Korea to grow, they should improve their English program to improve their competitiveness because of English as a global language today. So, the national government and city governments have invested vast amounts of cash to get native speakers from the Big Six (US, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Australia, and South Africa) to come to teach at the hagwons or public schools to let their children grow in the English language. Again, I'm presenting all these facets of English instruction and Korea's response to improve their programs, and it sounds good so far. Globalization for growth as a nation, global-mindedness to help Koreans integrate into a new world where people are travelling at will and where information is being exchanged at fast-rates thanks to the Internet and telecommunications.
However, we run into some problems. One place to start is in the Korean mindset: Confucianism. Confucianism has a huge powerplay in all aspects in Koreans. It defines relationships, respect, order, power, and education. Not being an expert on Confucianism, I cannot quote to you his wonderful licks of philosophical goodness. However, from what I do remember from my Korean teachers and other foreigners I run into and the informal education I receive on Mr. C's ideas on how to run the game, it doesn't surprise me that English education runs into its first problems in the classroom here.
In Confucianism, everyone's got a set role in relationships. Student respects teacher, son respects parents, 1st son gets dibs on everything, sisters respect their brothers and whatever is at the bottom only gets to look up. No horizontal equality going here, like in most relationships in the West. Earlier, I emphazied one characteristic trait about Confucianism from earlier, order. In Korean society, which is really tight at its core in terms of relationships, order is the essence of bringing harmony to society. Everyone, especially in the career ladder, has their dues to pay in terms of seniority and prestige. You wear the badge, you got the part, you're the sixth man from the bench, just do your role. Even Korean Christians still run into Confucian thinking from time to time, and its hard not to when you are reared in Korea. (As Christians, are thinking should be upgraded with Christ, see Romans 12:2)
Okay, so its time to lasso this tangent so I can can pump some truth into this blog: English can be a challenge to teach with the Korean mindset.
Imagine you are in a class with 44 ladies or boys in one classroom (as I have described in the past). Imagine you got an education abroad in the United States for a year, a golden ticket set up by mommy and daddy to study in an American school so you can take advantage of Korea's push for English turnips. You meet a whole slew of new friends abroad, but its time to come home and contribute to the Motherland by finishing your education here.
You get this new native teacher in your school, and you're excited because its another opportunity to practice your English and keep it sharp for your time in high school. He or she comes in, but then you realize you are not allowed to speak English in the class. What? Class rules? New policy of modesty and respect?
No, Confucianism. No one likes a show-off. You try to speak English to the new teacher, then everyone starts going "oooooohhhhhh!" "Wah, Jin-mi can speak English!" "Oh, she's trying to flirt with the new teacher," or "what a showoff, she can speak English." Jealous is a natural by-product of advancement.
To actually teach conversation in class can be very challenging. Anyone with real English skills will be viewed with jealously and sneering, or even teasing. Then the kids who do not have much English skills struggle with confidence to try speaking.
Then, with the actual classroom size, its very difficult to do an activity where productive, actual free talking can take place. It can frustrating at times.
Alot of my classes this year were actually good, but the majority of the time I have to take advantage of a large class by using the chorus-style repetition to get participation. It can actually be more fun this way, because many of the girls in my class have a good sense of humor.
But as for actual investment and dividends in my classes, only a few get the material and some of them actually remember it. The whole idea of obtaining education for yourself is a very different concept here in the East as in the West, meaning that most of the education is uniform and all the students are educated in the same fashion. Individual thought is hard to come by, with only the most exceptional students from time to time giving me an opinion about their lives or about the world around them.
So, is my goal in 2009 to smash Confucian-thinking? Of course not. Its built into the culture. You can't stop that. Cultural mores are something to be respected, especially as a foreigner. However, it should not be a liability in the classroom when it comes to practical learning of foreign languages.
One of my goals this upcoming year is not to bring a revolution in the Free English classroom. One of my goals is that the Lord can use me to inspire my students to desire to learn English by making classes that show the human side of English. Meanwhile, instead of focusing on so much of the problems that plague this education system, perhaps I can starting putting my teaching skills to the Lord and allow Him to make things work in the classroom. Sometimes, its easy to feel helpless when you are given a situation where many of the girls have no interest in your English or don't have a real incentive to try.
For English to be effective in this society, I think its not just real, good instruction that will allow Korea's students become more fluent. Its got to be a change in the mind-set and exposure to outside cultures. I think one major advantage of bringing in foreigners is that we can bring the world to them without them travelling. English is seen as a language of the oppressor, but it should be seen as a tool and weapon for not survival, but for connecting to the outside.
Even though education is a right, it should always come down to choice.
Its my students choice to either talk to me and practice their English. And its my choice if I should follow the world's thinking and think that this class is not going to affect my students. Or, I can choose to follow God and seek His wisdom in turning turnips to...sweet fruits of truth.
As I crash into 2009 at Hakik Girls High, and perhaps my final year in Korea, I want to finish this campaign on a great note...that I did a good job, and that my girls learned something. Glory to God in the Highest: anything I do, from busting raps to teaching English to learning the Korean language, 2009 is not the Year of the Dragon, but the Year of the Divine.
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2010: The Year of the Soni Tiger
