By Grahame Wagener
Teaching English in Korea has been a tremendous experience. The teachers and the students have shown a great interest and have participated fully in all the lessons. It has been a challenge to always come up with something new and innovative that will capture the students interest, but that is part of the challenge of teaching.
There is a natural reticence for students to speak English, especially to speak English publicly, so it was an important achievement to conduct an English speaking contest, in which all the students must participate, and then hold a final event with all the school participating as the audience. The students braved their reluctance and did very well.
They were proud of themselves and their school community. Importantly, it showed the kids that they could do it. That sense of achievement is very important.
While social activities, like the Mud Festival, will be remembered as a bit of fun, the most important memory is the look of triumph on the faces of so many young people when they realized that this ``public’’ speaking thing was not as hard as first thought.
The Korean people are very tolerant of foreigners, and make concessions for those of us who inadvertently make mistakes. This is especially noticeable when Korean people can see that you are trying to overcome the differences and misunderstandings. If you are willing to make an effort, then the more likely it is that the Korean folks will meet you half way.
My advice to new EPIK teachers is to be tolerant, observe, try to immerse yourself in Korean culture, make an effort to learn Korean, be flexible because last minute change frequently happens, but above all enjoy.
Grahame Wagener is from Sydney and works with his wife Suzanne in North Chungcheong Province. He can be reached at gwagener@hotmail.com