The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Chinese hackers attack 12 Korean academic institutions: KISA

  • 3

    Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs

  • 5

    From period to action: different genre series set for February

  • 7

    More than dozen chaebol scions indicted on alleged drug use

  • 9

    Campaign launched to respect multicultural families, foreign nationals

  • 11

    Netmarble debuts virtual girl group MAVE:

  • 13

    Korea's move to cut subsidies on imported EVs faces backlash

  • 15

    Cargo ship carrying 22 sinks off Jeju, 14 rescued but 9 unconscious

  • 17

    Lawmaker pushes for bill requiring women to join civil defense training

  • 19

    Seoul subway, bus fares to rise by 300 or 400 won

  • 2

    Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night

  • 4

    Heavy snow hits Seoul, surrounding areas

  • 6

    Chinese hackers threaten to attack S. Korean cybersecurity watchdog

  • 8

    Cold wave warnings issued across Korea; Seoul witnesses coldest day

  • 10

    Why Korea imports so much kimchi from China

  • 12

    Center offers free STI testing to foreign residents of Korea

  • 14

    People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions

  • 16

    ANALYSISChina's reopening to help ease inventory woes

  • 18

    Major Korean banks' overseas branches sanctioned by foreign authorities

  • 20

    Yoon calls for adjusting regulatory, labor systems to global standards

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Opinion
  • About the past
  • Imbricated Chaos
  • Voices from the North
  • Korea: deConstructed
  • Parchment Made of Sheepskins
  • Dialogues with Adoptees
Fri, January 27, 2023 | 20:19
My experience of teaching English to North Korean defectors
Posted : 2021-03-06 09:41
Updated : 2021-03-07 09:06
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Gettyimagesbank
Gettyimagesbank

Voices from the North typically features the voices of North Korean refugees, but this week, we will hear from two people who are teaching North Korean refugee adolescents in a partnership between Freedom Speakers International and the U.S. Embassy of South Korea. ― Ed.

By Kim Hyun-hui (Jenny)

Gettyimagesbank
Working with Freedom Speakers International (FSI) and the U.S. Embassy has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. As someone for whom English was not my first language, learning to speak English was a challenge for me, too. When I was learning English I received a lot of help from many people both in Korea and the United States and learned tips and tricks that helped me learn many words and phrases. I always told myself I wanted to give the same help to people who are studying English. Therefore, teaching the students in the Access Program was an honor for me.

At first, it was tough trying to teach a large class with students who have different levels and understanding of English due to their age differences. However, I was able to learn what each student needed help with. Moreover, it was extremely helpful having monthly meetings led by FSI co-founder Eunkoo Lee and receiving help from other teachers. FSI and the teachers tried to share as many resources as possible and give advice whenever I had questions or trouble with teaching the class!

There are many memories I have where I was immensely proud of my students. One of the memories is seeing students use English phrases and words I taught outside of class. During a Thanksgiving event, a student from a different school asked one of my students a question. When I asked what the question was, they told me, "He asked me what my name was, so I answered in English." Another memory was receiving positive feedback from the students. One student from my class told me since I already taught them the four seasons and how to answer what their favorite season is, they were able to answer right away when they were learning again in school. Hearing stories from the students, I am proud of how much they have learned. I am also incredibly happy that I am able to help them learn English!

Looking back on the first day of class to now, I can see that the students in my class have improved their English. As the program's semester continues, I hope to teach the students more tips and tricks to learning English in a more fun way!

Gettyimagesbank
Gettyimagesbank

By Brendan Kelly

Gettyimagesbank
Teaching North Korean students has been a rewarding and eye-opening experience for me. Over the last few years I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of different students that have humbled me with their humility and impressed me with their effort. Getting to know some of the students has really changed my perspective about North Korea but also my own perspective of South Korea.

Being in a new place and adjusting to a new life is a universal feeling that I have been able to bond with student over. On top of this, while the students that I have had come from various backgrounds, ages and situations, I try to teach all of them different things about English and its vast culture.

Beyond the scope of the classroom, I've also helped and guided my students with English speech contests through which I've seen them go above and beyond expectations in showcasing their abilities. Not only have these speeches helped them realize their latent potential and challenge themselves, but they have been a great opportunity for them to express themselves and share their stories.

Teaching young students and guiding them through their formative years has been a great joy to me and perhaps I could say the best thing I've done in my five years living here in Korea. Being able to educate and mentor these students has been a fruitful experience that has been enriching for both of us. The opportunity to exchange perspectives and grow together have been invaluable experiences for me and I hope my many students as well.


Kim Hyun-hui (Jenny) is a senior studying Global Affairs (B.A.) at George Mason University Korea. Brendan Kelly has been an English teacher in Korea for nearly five years. For the last two years, they have both been teaching English to North Korean refugee adolescents in the U.S. Embassy's English Access Microscholarship Program facilitated by Freedom Speakers International.

The excerpts were edited by Casey Lartigue Jr., co-president of Freedom Speakers International and the editor of "Voices from the North
."


EmailCJL@alumni.harvard.edu Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night
2Koreans stunned by spike in heating costsKoreans stunned by spike in heating costs
3People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions
4Netflix series 'The Glory' draws focus to real school bullying Netflix series 'The Glory' draws focus to real school bullying
5Inflation weighs on households Inflation weighs on households
6'I was a stock investment addict': psychiatrist seeks to help addicted people through his book 'I was a stock investment addict': psychiatrist seeks to help addicted people through his book
7[INTERVIEW] Partnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery INTERVIEWPartnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery
8Korea's GDP shrinks 0.4% in Q4, 1st contraction in 10 quarters Korea's GDP shrinks 0.4% in Q4, 1st contraction in 10 quarters
9Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar
10S. Korea to increase joint air defense exercises following N. Korean drone incursions S. Korea to increase joint air defense exercises following N. Korean drone incursions
Top 5 Entertainment News
1From period to action: different genre series set for FebruaryFrom period to action: different genre series set for February
2Yun Hyong-keun's hanji works come under spotlight in Paris for first timeYun Hyong-keun's hanji works come under spotlight in Paris for first time
3Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film
4Miguel Chevalier's psychedelic digital universe takes audience participation to next level Miguel Chevalier's psychedelic digital universe takes audience participation to next level
5Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E' Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E'
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

wooribank
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group