Letter from teacher in South Korea

Dear Ms. Regler’s Class:

My name is Jean Bales and I am an American, teaching in S. Korea. While my students have sent back your questionaire, I just wanted to add a bit more information for you.

The people here are just like people that you find all over the world --- even your own neighborhood. Most are really nice, some, not so much. You know how we nod to each other and say “What’s up?” Well, here, everyone bows and says, “Anyo – ah- sayo,” and the students call each other “elder brother, elder sister, younger brother, younger sister,” according to however old they are. All disputes are settled with “rock, paper, scissors.” You know that game? Yes! In my classes, when I ask who will read first, or talk first……. They go to “rock, paper, scissors…….” And no one disputes the outcomes……… What a world would we live in, if everyone did that?? Could be great, don’t you think??

Students from age 6 to 14, go to school about the same hours that you all do, but there’s 1 BIG difference!! After school, they go to private schools, called “academies” or “hagwons,” trying to learn as much as possible…….. some academies, like the one that I work at, focus on English or other single subjects. Others focus on multiple subjects. It isn’t unusual for a 10 –12 year old student to go to 3 or 4 academies in one evening, after their regular school day. So, they often don’t get home until 9 or 10 p.m. Also, they go to their regular school 6 days a week, every other week, as well as academies on Saturdays and Sundays.

That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? And, yes, they have homework to do, just like you………. It’s just that they have to do it AFTER all the hagwons…… As for the high school students: well, I have to tell you that they go to school at 8:00 a.m. and stay there until 10:00 p.m. Not as many of them go to hagwons in the evenings, but some do. And almost all of them do, on the weekends…….

Does that make you tired, just to hear about it?? Sometimes, it does me!! These kids are amazing……….

Most Koreans, especially people your age, are very interested in America and Americans……… They work hard at learning English, but have a hard time speaking it, because so few people in this country do….

I hope that you all will find the time to look up S. Korea on the internet, and see how beautiful their land and their culture is….. Their history is 5,000 years old!! Thank you so much for sharing your world, and your flat Stanleys with my students…….

Peace,

Jean B