Formidable. That’s how people whose walks of life apart from mine regard teaching. But in some respects, teaching is a humble and dignified profession no matter how many painstaking jobs it takes—and that speaks of teaching Korean students the English language which sustains, for me, the thought of its being the noblest job.
One of my first times which left me remarkable trails was when I started teaching Koreans on line. Things were a bit messy for me where I had to choose between a rock and a hard place—pursue it or be jobless at all. But those days I spent with my students, even knowing they come and go, gradually unfolded the reality of fulfillment. And from that day forward, teaching English to Korean students defined my life-blood. I started to embrace imbuing learning to my students’ intellectual faculty to substantiate the things they already have since they started learning English in school. I’ve never been to Korea, neither had a Korean friend, nor talk to a Korean in person but I deeply feel connected in many ways. Maybe because I’ve learned entwining my life with them thru daily conversations and sharing, or possibly my students and I both have constant pursuit of learning and self-growth. And that spur me more move forward and bravely face every task ahead of me.
Let’s dwell on some of my best in blah-blahs. For an on-line English teacher, hearing an expression of grievance like, “It’s very difficult to study English…” is not strange because some students, in some points, degenerate it to cliché due to its everyday use. There are times when some aspire to learn the target language in a matter of two to three months—and that challenges me a lot and helps me more discover creative and effective ways to approach my students and unlock their potentials. I always motivate my students and boost their confidence with regard to learning English; thusly, it’s a long process and will take tough struggle which in the end if practiced well, can recompense their toil and give them the most tasteful and flavorful KIMCHI of success. Let me use swimming as my example so to speak. You read books about swimming for some reasons, maybe to learn the different strokes, techniques, or tips to be a great swimmer. You want to learn how to swim in short. But come to realize, that no matter how many pages of that book you stick on your face all day long, you can’t still learn it unless you throw yourself into the water, apply what you’ve read, and start swimming. It goes the same with learning English. Reading English novels, studying grammar rules, or even watching English programs will not give justice to learning unless you practice and use what you’ve learned. Let me use myself as an example. I am not a native speaker and I didn’t even experience to be in an English speaking country; yet I can express myself in English spontaneously and fluently. I remember when I was in college, I really had bad times and hard times expressing myself in English due to my poor vocabulary and strong local accent because I live in a province. But despite those language barriers, I braced myself and tried to come-out of my shell and proved to all that I could make it especially those who belittled me. Yes, I did it. I did make myself competent in English. I want to share a piece of my past which I think may sound ridiculous to some. When I was starting to learn English, specifically English pronunciation, I used to talk to myself at times in my bedroom, bathroom, and even in public vehicles. I would just see myself somewhat protruding my lips, moving my jaw and tongue, trying to perfectly pronounce words amid people who I didn’t even know. That’s embarrassing. Helpless I was that time, so I just couldn’t help myself smiling together with those people cheering up for my insanity. Ha!Ha! But my point and the thing I am stressing behind this anecdote is my determination to learn. Determination that will fuel your enthusiasm to learn English, and will drive you attain your goal of becoming, if not great, a competent English speaker.
At times, I sound like a pirated DVD because I always reiterate to my students that learning the target language entails lots of practice and effort, which in the end, you’ll just see yourself on a pedestal where people pay respect to and honor you because of the power of English language that has helped you achieve your goal.
