Teaching > Theory and Practice
Issues Concerning Korean Learners of English: English Education in Korea and Som
pickle:
Yeah, I think it's such a short piece though, that they have to be very general. There are definitely situations where you'd say "No, I do," for example, but in most situations it isn't suitable. And the thing about "hit strongly" was that I would never say strongly with hit. It just sounds awkward to me... I would usually say hit hard or something like that.
I completely understand the last part, (Foreign Language Ability" vs "Mental/Spiritual Maturity). I think they just mean that when you get to a certain point in your language study you want to talk about something deeper than what kinds of foods you like, but you just don't have the words for it. It can be really frustrating when you realize the way you are able to express yourself is miles behind who you really are. I felt that keenly when I lived in Japan and realized I sounded like a child (or maybe a moron) to anyone who heard my broken Japanese! I could never completely say what I thought, so it was hard to have relationships. I guess if you're also being evaluated, it adds another level of stress to it.
Paul:
--- Quote from: pickle on October 08, 2010, 02:31:16 PM ---<snip>
--- End quote ---
Exactly. I had the same experience in Japan. My comment was more reading between the lines that this is an exclusive, innate Korean attribute.
Incidentally, I kinda believe this one cuts both ways when dealing with colleagues. For example, if I cannot articulate a complex idea to my co-teacher in my native tongue because all the words I need to use, the co-teacher may have yet to learn, and we lack the time to sit down and nut it out then the idea never gets across. If the idea never gets across, an assumption grows that there was nothing worthwhile to contribute to begin with.
--- Quote from: pickle on October 08, 2010, 02:31:16 PM ---I guess if you're also being evaluated, it adds another level of stress to it.
--- End quote ---
Wise words indeed, and something I need to bear in mind more often.
pickle:
Hmm, I'm not sure if they were really trying to say that about Korean students only... it's just one issue when you're teaching in Korea so they mentioned it. And it is hard to foresee your students feeling that way if you never have.
You're right, there are a lot of obstacles when we communicate with our teachers, too. I think we all (Korean and native teachers) forget to consider the other side often, so it's easy to jump to conclusions and get frustrated.
My students seem nothing like the description, though. Maybe it's because I teach elementary and they were writing more with older students in mind? My kids aren't nearly as shy/respectful as I would have thought from the article. Actually, they often demand money from me when I walk by!
Where did you live in Japan? I was up in Fukushima-ken for two years.
jehall:
Yeah, the kids' behaviour surprised me when I came over here. I too read all the literature saying how respectful and shy there are. Sure, they bow to you in the hallways, but in the classroom, they're pretty much the same as North American kids.
cangel:
thank you for sharing this, it's an interesting read!
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