Absolutely Agree

Last week I had to fill out a survey about the English program in Seoul public schools. There were a series of statements where I was to rate my teaching experience. I was breezing through until, "I can confidently say that I am successful in teaching Korean students" appeared. Hmmm. That is difficult to gage. I lightly scratched the "Somewhat Agree" box, moved on to the suggestions and forgot about it as soon as the survey left my hands.

Yesterday, my friend Bee had a layover in Seoul and ventured to my neighborhood for a couple of hours. She was up for anything so, spur-of-the-moment, I decided to show her my school. My students have classes on Saturdays. I realized my little impromptu tour and the students shuffling out the door would overlap. With every step I felt my anxiety increase, remembering how they responded to me on my first day. I didn't want to subject Bee to gawking, pointing and laughing. I prayed for the best as we crossed the street.

We approached the entrance and the the students mobbed us. One of my fifth graders said, "Who is she?" and pride gushed through my body. Another student, "Hi. What is your name?" and "Nice to meet you." Blood rushed to my head. Other students gathered around and echoes of "hi" and small attempts of conversation followed. "She is from Alaska," I said hopefully, searching their faces for recognition. "Ohhhh, really? A-Las-ka?"and I almost squealed with delight, "Yeah!" We had a few more mini-conversations, peaked through the school gates and I walked on air back to my place.

It wasn't the student's vocabulary, pronunciation or intonation that made me so pleased-maybe I taught them that or maybe I didn't. It was their attitude. AND speaking to Bee as a human and not some alien. There was no mocking or gawking.The student's comfortableness with English and with foreigners had increased; a direct result of my presence.

If my existence in their classroom contributes to the elimination of xenophobia in Korea, then yes, I "Absolutely Agree" that I am successful in teaching Korean students.