Like a Native Speaker

At the beginning of my last class today, one of my students (who was quite shy and at a very low level when I first met her, but who has since then become quite proficient and has moved up in level) was struggling with her backpack and dropped it. The moment she dropped it, without an instant of hesitation, she quite loudly, clearly and without an accent said, "Shit!" The other students in the class (which is supposed to be a fairly high level) were completely oblivious to the meaning of that word. I instantly started scolding her on how she should not use that language. She smiled sheepishly and said she understood, but at the same time I could tell that there was a smirk underneath that smile.

I felt quite torn while I was scolding her. She was certainly not supposed to use that kind of language, but (internally) I was impressed with how readily and proficiently she used it. She swore exactly like a native speaker and while I certainly did not teach her how to do that (or any profane language), I couldn't help but be a little proud of her proficiency and confidence.

Original Student Work

Here is a direct quote from an essay that one of my students wrote. The topic is: If you could make one change to the Korean educational system, what change would you make.

"If I sleep with my friends or live together we can friendlier."

"Heading for Nowhere" - Jets Overhead

Korean Speedskating Upset

I tip my hat to Lee Sang-Hwa for her gold metal win.

Sausage

Yeah, this is weird and very Korean.

"Lost" - Coldplay

"Lost"

South Korea: The Land of Texting?

Here is an article about texting in Korea. Did you know there is a Mobile World Cup? (I didn't).

(The article mentions "English-language cram school," better known here as English-language Camps. The former seems like a more appropriate name.)