Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Mon, October 2, 2023 | 19:38

Why North Korean defectors learn English (8)

Posted : 2019-11-02 10:06

Updated : 2019-11-03 14:18

TNKR co-founder Casey Lartigue Jr. tutors a North Korean refugee at the organization's office in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Courtesy of Casey Lartigue Jr.

Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Inho, male, escaped North Korea in 2012, arrived in South Korea in 2013

When I was in North Korea, I learned English for one reason: to curse American soldiers as they were dying after I had shot them. When I went to the USA, it felt so strange because I had been taught to hate Americans, but they seemed normal, gentle; even strangers smile at you. That experience was both great and terrible. I was happy to be in an English-speaking environment, so that was great and motivated me to learn English. It was also the final thing to help me get rid of the propaganda that I had been taught about Americans. But I also felt miserable because I still didn't understand very much, so the only thing I could do was smile. Next semester I will be taking my first class in English. I have been avoiding it, but from my junior year, I can't avoid it; then the following year, to get a good score on the TOEIC test. I am feeling a lot of pressure recognizing that I can no longer avoid English and that I can't graduate until I improve my English.

Jiyoung, female, escaped from North Korea in 2010, arrived in South Korea in 2015

When I was in North Korea, I barely learned English, I could survive there without it. I was in China for several years. I was focused on learning Chinese, so I didn't care about English. Now that I am in South Korea, every moment I can feel the need for English. When I'm talking with friends, or studying at my university, or at my part-time job, then I am reminded of the need for English. I still have so much trouble even with basic things, such as distinguishing between "he" or "she" when I am speaking English. When I am on campus, I can see so many foreigners there. If my English was better, then I could speak to them. What is more important is that I need English in my classes. I can't escape English even when I am working at my part-time job. So many foreigners come through there, I struggle trying to understand what they want. My boss probably doesn't have confidence in me. I have met many foreigners for studying English, but I have learned that is not really studying. It can be good because they don't have any stereotypes against North Korean refugees. Eventually the guys want to date or hangout, so then it isn't really studying for very long and it doesn't remain focused. I need serious studying now so I can get prepared for my life after university.

Hanna, female, escaped from North Korea in 2016, arrived in South Korea in 2017

I have visited the USA twice. That is the thing that really motivated me to learn English. My Chinese is fluent, I was proud of myself for learning it so quickly when I was in China. After the trip to the USA, it seemed like I had encountered a whole new world. In the USA, I had a bad experience. We were a group of females from North Korea and some American guys walked up to us, asking us things like, "Hey! Can you speak English? Where are you from? You're in America, can't you speak English?" We could not understand everything, but we felt they were mocking us for not being able to speak English. We were ashamed because they were right and we couldn't respond. When I returned to South Korea, I joined a language institute, but they had a set curriculum, were just teaching to exams and had to cover the material. In those group situations, I can't ask what I want. I know I am behind and I felt that I was slowing down the class. I thought about studying here at TNKR right after I got out of Hanawon, but at first I was intimidated when I learned that I wouldn't be allowed to speak Korean and that I must study hard. I had just gotten out of Hanawon. I still wasn't sure exactly why I needed English. People kept telling me that I would need English, but I guess I didn't believe it, so I made excuses about not being able to use Korean. After struggling with English for two years, I knew why I needed English; I have had so many experiences. The trip to the USA made me lose my fear of trying English. Now I just want English, English, English. From my junior year, I should take a class in my major that is conducted in English. I am learning now so I can be prepared for that.

The comments were collected by Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center. Lartigue was the 2017 winner of the "Social Contribution" Prize from the Hansarang Rural Cultural Foundation and was recently named the 2019 winner of a "Challenge Maker" Award from Challenge Korea. TNKR co-founder Eunkoo Lee translated the refugees' remarks from Korean to English.

CJL@alumni.harvard.edu