English in Korean Media

Ever been to a foreign country and found many things written in English? Watched a foreign film and noticed they would speak random English at times? Why not random Portuguese? And are you aware of engrish.com?

 If yes, you have witnessed small western obsessions that occur throughout the world. English has been put on a high pedestal in many places. It has even made it into the media, Korea especially. Singers and bands are adding English words and phrases to their songs and movie characters are played as English-savvy by actors who may not speak a word of it. This influences the average Korean person also when all around them, the western culture is screaming out to them. It makes them want to know more so that they understand fully what is going on.

Here are some samples of real Korean TV shows that have been centered around the English language:

TV Show in English Village - This show is centered around a popular Korean band who host two English speakers for a couple of months. It is very relatable and people can learn a lot from watching while having a laugh.

Speed English - A variety television show that have famous people guest appear and play different games, including their most popular one, Speed English. An English speaker is chosen to guess a certain thing based off of the player’s English in a certain amount of time.

These types of shows are becoming much more common and are watched by the majority of the nation. As you can see, both have native English speakers/teachers in them. Here is also another job opportunity foreigners may have! There are quality entertainment opportunities that teachers could grab and make much more money than the average. It is not too hard to become popular for your teaching ability in Korea.

 

“혼자 얼마나 애 태운지 몰라~
그런데 니가 날 사랑한다니~
어머~! 다시 한 번 말해봐~
Tell me tell me tell tell tell tell tell tell me
나를 사랑한다고
날 기다려 왔다고
Tell me tell me tell tell tell tell tell tell me
내가 필요하다 말해~ 말해줘요
Tell me tell me tell tell tell tell tell tell me
자꾸만 듣고 싶어” – song lyrics excerpt

No translation is required. You may not understand what all the funky symbols mean, but you can spot the repeated English lines. They happen to be the biggest line in the song, ninety-nine percent of Korea’s population constantly sing it. Well, maybe not ninety-nine percent, but a fair amount. Get the picture?

 

Credit: Lotteria

English in Korean Media: Arirang

Why English, Korea?

There is a high demand for English teachers in South Korea. Jobs are available in universities, grade schools, hagwons (private children’s school), etc. These days, most of the younger Korean generation can speak more than a few words and the older generation also have some knowledge. The English language is a popular and fast-growing subject in Asia and appears everywhere. Just about any native English speaker who can teach them the language is very welcomed in their countries.

South Korea is extremely family-oriented and values it’s traditions wholeheartedly, but there is no ignoring the fact that it has strived to be more westernized. The western culture appeals to most Asians since it has always been more advanced and powerful in history, but now Asia has reached almost the same level. Korea is the top technology-advanced country in the world and is leading many others in the technical field with big name companies such as LG, Samsung, and Hyundai as undeniable proof. With all of the influence, Korean companies have become multinational and in turn, affects it’s citizens.

To be educated in the English language makes an average person not-so-average. They become well-rounded and they learn about the culture as a result. It will be rare to meet a young Korean who does not know quite a few phrases and words in English. It would almost be considered unusual! So if you ever find yourself lost in Korea, there is a good chance that you won’t be in serious trouble from the communication issues.

As said eariler, there is a high demand for English teachers for so many reasons. It wouldn’t be hard to find a job that pays well. Anyone qualified can practically choose any spot in the country and work there. There are also many cases where the school pays for the housing. Though it may not be completely perfect, there is a good chance that English teachers can pick and decide on the salary, placement, and school type they want as long as it’s reasonable.

 To make absolutely clear, South Korea is NOT the only country in the world that has been influenced by the western culture. English is the number one language in the world because of it’s history and roots. There are alternate labels, road signs, manuals, etc. printed in English of course. It is not common to see something translated only to German or Russian since it does not appeal to the majority. That is it’s impact.

Credit: High-tech

More in depth/specific details: Teaching English in Korea

 

Element and quality

English as a Second Language teachers are key to bringing the required education and understanding to those who need it. They help our world communicate with each other in an easier way. But this is already obvious, isn’t it? What is the essence of ESL?

Without learners, culture, history, education and more, there would be no language teachers. There would be no obstacles, no desire for people to want to learn. There probably even wouldn’t be multiple languages. With one single language in the entire world, it would strip everyone of individuality and uniqueness and everything could become very boring. But then again maybe this is becoming too general and off-topic.

The essence of ESL is the strive for a wider understanding of the English language in specific coming from people of all ages and nationalities. Language teachers are here to answer them and help them reach a goal that would be incredibly hard without them. We also should not forget about those who study to become one of these helpers and their interest in teaching other people their language. These two groups ultimately make up the existence of education.

It’s very difficult to write more about this topic since it’s so straight forward. There is no reading between the lines or serious analysis on the essence of ESL. All we need to know is that it exists for the sole purpose in changing people’s understanding and educating those who seek the knowledge.

Credit: English Assignment
Related: The Essence of Creativity

 

A different world

Taking a look at this picture, one can see that there’s something fairly odd with it. There sits an ancient Asian building yet no trees, woods, or cherry blossoms surrounds it. Not one tree is even sighted and instead, skyscrapers lay in the background. Though it may not seem obvious at first, this image symbolizes how South Korea has developed so much yet the history remains intact and treasured every day. This is a country that greatly values it’s past and to be a foreigner who understands this, it can be a very rewarding experience.

You may be wondering how this picture has anything to do with ESL when it relates so largely with it. Obviously, living in Korea (or any country abroad) is a complete culture change.  Teaching English requires open-minded people or people who are willing to step out of their shell and try something new. The person has to go into it with the utmost respect and will to be changed. An egotistical, pompous attitude will allow one to fail terribly.

Since this country has widened it’s relations a lot more with others in the past 50 years or so, the people have a huge desire to increase it’s knowledge and become more educated. This is where English as a Second Language comes in. English appears everywhere in the world even if some don’t even understand it. It appears in Japanese songs, Chinese songs, German songs, etc. What does this tell us? As the number one most commonly used language in the world, people want to be educated and learn it. It gives everyone a way to relate and communicate without the misunderstanding that occurs often when a native speaker talks to a non-native speaker.

From the picture, one possibly may feel that South Korea is not open to change since they admire their history so much, but that is not the case in any way. It is continuing to grow rapidly into an even more well-rounded nation and by doing so, it has become more understanding of other cultures. It welcomes any stranger who is willing to learn about Korea as well as them sharing their culture there. ESL teachers are precisely these strangers who bring their language to a country who is very willing to learn it.

Credit: Night Gate

Teaching is helping

First off, here are the definitions according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Teach: to guide the studies of

Help: give assistance or support

Now, it makes sense when I say that teaching is helping, right? One cannot “guide” someone without “assisting”  them so that is why helping is probably the most important component in successfully teaching another language. The point here is when students need aid or have questions, the teachers’ obligation is to be there to answer them wholeheartedly. They should be honestly interested in how their students are thinking to figure out how they can correct them. They have the power to contribute to their long-term knowledge rather than talking at them and hoping they get it all. This kind of wishful thinking is lazy and any teacher who has this mindset should rethink their career.

Without help, there is no true learning going on in the classroom. The communication is necessary or else everything seems robotic and uniform when education should be versatile and spontaneous. It also makes it more difficult for people to grow together and learn about each other. There are, indeed, places that are like this where students are so programmed that they take tests based solely on the lecture of the day, but what is the benefit of that? Sure, maybe a good grade here and there, but in the long run, grades do not matter. What you take from the classroom to the real world is what’s important.

It is assumed that most of us have encountered a situation where we have sat in a class in which the instructor has droned on and on or has sped through a lecture and expected everyone to fully understand what he had said. The frustration builds and the lack of discussion drives us crazy since there were questions that popped into our head from the very beginning. This type of method is not very beneficial, is it? Especially when it’s in a foreign country. By providing an environment where questions are encouraged, teachers can be helpful and relieve the stress and worries that learners don’t even need in the first place.

Teachers, especially ESL teachers, must help; it’s so obvious that there’s nothing much more to say about it. All of this may have been nothing new to you, but to some, it doesn’t seem as straight-forward as it is.

(For simple yet effective ideas on how to help ESL click here.)

Purpose

This blog is dedicated to discussing and researching the subject of English Language Education abroad, or also known as English as a Second Language. The main focus is the lifestyle and experiences that teachers have in South Korea and how it has affected them and their students.

Being a high school junior, I’m about to gain my real independence and have the ability to choose what I desire to learn in a college. Teaching English to non-native speakers is a rewarding and sometimes a life-changing experience according to various people who have blogged about their personal experiences in this subject. The different culture, history, and way of life ultimately affects the teachers and gives them a wider understanding and appreciativeness of the world.

I believe that teaching English is connecting countries together (not just South Korea) by providing a common language and way to relate. It also gives people the knowledge that benefits them and others. This is why I chose this subject.

But what, in specific, are these experiences? How do you even get to this point? This blog provides information on this wide topic for the author’s personal sake and possibly the benefit to readers who have the similar desire. The process of obtaining a job, inventing new teaching methods, the high demand for these instructors and why, and much more will be discussed on a regular basis. I hope you find my blurbs interesting and helpful in educating you about this fast-growing area.