High school senior teaches children computer programming

Won Suh-yeon, left, a senior at Seoul International School, helps elementary school students create a software program during a computer programming class at the Banpo Library, southern Seoul, last Saturday. / Courtesy of Banpo Library

By Chung Hyun-chae

Won Suh-yeon, 17, a senior at Seoul International School, is teaching 16 elementary school students how to create computer programs at a library in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul.

Elementary school students are learning computer programming by making a simple game through an educational program made by Google called CS First, Won helps those who cannot follow or who do not understand the directions.

CS First is a free program that increases student access and exposure to computer science (CS) education through after-school, in-school, and summer programs. All classes are run by teachers or community volunteers.

Won remarked that computer science has not really been widespread in Korea with only a few private academies charging excessive tuition, especially since AlphaGo, the artificial ‘go’ player, beat the worlds’ best player last March. “There are fewer people who have majored in computer science but jobs will be open in the future. So I’m trying to spread awareness and the need for computer science for the future.”

Won took a course in computer science at school last year when she first became interested in the field.

She also successfully completed a certificate on one of Harvard's most popular and rigorous free online courses, CS50: Introduction to Computer Science.

“There is something about computer science that really makes me feel accomplished when I am done with solving a problem,” she said.

Inspired by her new passion, Won wanted to share her experience and decided to teach coding to other people with Google’s free program.

In May, she asked a nearby library if she could borrow a room every Saturday to run a class. And then she recruited 16 elementary students interested in computer science.

“As an introvert, I have always been on the quieter side. Conducting a presentation has been a major weakness for me in the past, but now it’s a skill that I am practicing almost on a daily basis,” Won said. “Through CS First, I am thrilled and grateful to be able to help students gain not only confidence in their potential in computer science but also have the courage to initiate their own projects,” Won said.

According to her, however, there is a big problem in running a class ― the language barrier.

As the program is all in English, Won had to teach coding and English at the same time.

She searched for mentors who can help her in running the class and met Hyeree Grace Kim who is working at Google in New York.

“Starting a club is challenging for Won because not all the students are English speakers so it is hard for them to follow along,” Grace said.

Won and Grace sought ways to break the language barrier by coming up with a plan to give children a sheet that shows them easy steps about what to do each day in English so that they can refer to that sheet whenever they face difficulties.

As for English, she gives additional explanations for slow learners.

Won also said that a supervisor at the library gave her a tip.

“The supervisor told me a story about her French friend who would always talk in English even though the supervisor could not understand the language. Gradually, she began to understand English by listening to her friend attentively all the time,” Won said.

“This is the type of engagement and positive influence I hope to achieve through this class. If I expose my students to the English language regularly and enthusiastically, I believe my students will someday catch on and become more motivated to learn the language,” she added.

Won said she has learned to be a better speaker, thanks to her students.

“Presenting in front of people, including kids, has been one of my biggest fears.

Through disciplined practice, I have broken out of my shell now and become more comfortable talking in front of an audience,” she said.

Won plans to open another class next month ― this time, at her high school library.

“I’m looking forward to bringing CS First to our school to inspire other children, teenagers, and faculty members to create their own worlds through computer programming,” she said.

“As a trained artist, I never saw myself as an engineer, However, computer science has really changed my life, and I hope CS education brings more positive change to our communities.”

This past summer, Won studied technology, innovation & entrepreneurship as part of the 2016 Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program in New Haven, Connecticut. Her goal in college is to research topics in computer science and psychology in the United States and become a software engineer and writer specializing in artificial intelligence.