Teaching is a series of moments—some frustrating, some inspiring; some tiring, some energizing; some small, some large. For ELL teacher, Yoonhui Kim, one of her greatest joys is when she hears her students answer in English. Yoonhui teaches at Jangan Elementary School in South Korea. She landed the job after completing the Summer 2009 TESOL program offered twice a year by the Asian Affairs Center. At Jangan Elementary, Yoonhui teaches all grades from first through sixth.
“My biggest challenge in teaching English to young students is to make them like English and to show them that it is not so difficult,” she said. “It is not only important to understand English in our globalized world, but I think students can learn other things through the study of English too.”
TESOL Coordinator, Susan Malone (formerly Susan Maupin), is pleased with the enthusiasm and conscientious dedication that Ms. Kim demonstrated in both her participation in the teacher training program at the Asian Affairs Center and now in her current work with Korean elementary students. “Yoon Hui displayed such a wonderful attitude and diligent effort while completing her TESOL certificate last summer at the University of Missouri. She truly loves teaching and loves the children and her personal and professional commitment is making a difference in the lives of young students desiring to improve their English skills.”
One important thing Yoonhui learned from her participation in the TESOL program was to be respectful of her students and to take responsibility for her lessons. During TESOL, Yoonhui observed English language classes and did practice teaching in AAC classes as well as local elementary school classes. She found that observing and practicing were very effective ways to improve her teaching skills. She says she was impressed with the creativity of teachers in the US and pointed out one experience where the teacher used a lesson on how to make butter as a tool for teaching English.
“It really impressed me. I try to show some culture in my English language classes. I try to show that it’s not just learning a language, it’s learning a culture,” she said. “And personally, I got a variety of lesson ideas from the instructors at the AAC. I try to teach my students with the same variety so that my lessons will be useful and fun.” Helping her students have fun with the language is important to Yoonhui. “I always try to study teaching methods and English language textbooks,” Yoonhui said. “I often visit book stores or exchange some information with other English teachers and attend English education conferences. “
As for her future, Yoonhui says her goal as a teacher is to run an English institute so she can teach students English using the best current methods. The TESOL program was Yoonhui ‘s first time to study abroad. “I have learned how to teach English, and I had a great chance to learn with some great professors. It was unforgettable. Thank you again, AAC. “
