※ 아래 스크립트는 발표자의 발표내용을 그대로 표기하였으므로 구어체 표현이 포함되어있고,
“Arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity,” said
Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations. The forces of
globalization are now stronger than ever, and with this development, it is
becoming increasingly important to be able to communicate with others in more
than one language. This trend resonates with my passion, which is helping others
become proficient in English. I find the project of field of English very rewarding,
to the extent that I feel like I can do this for the rest of my life.
Back in 2011, my family moved to a town called New Malden in England, located
just twenty kilometers southwest of London. Near the end of my time in England,
due to a minor problem of housing contract, my parents and I had to relocate at
the home of my mother’s friend, Mrs. Kim. This was when my passion for
education first aroused. During my six-month stay there, I had the precious
opportunity to help Mrs. Kim’s daughter study both English and Korean. Teaching
another human being how to read, write, speak, and listen in two different
languages gave me sense of achievement and self-worth that I never felt before in
my life. By the time I left England, my passion for education had become an
indispensable part of my identity.
Once I was back in Korea, I decided to utilize my forte, English, for the working of
others, and, fortunately, I soon found an opportunity to do so in a club called
“Volume” in my high school. This organization carries out volunteer services in a
child development center, and I’ve been teaching English and other related
subjects once a week to students of all age groups. In addition, I’ve also been
participating in a project in which I visit children from single-parent households
once a month and serve as an educator for them. Furthermore, I’ve been
translating Korean fairy tales so that children in Southeast Asia can learn English by
reading traditional books.
To be frank, although rewarding, teaching a foreign language is by no means an
easy task, but I learned that... Students often get frustrated when they feel they are
far too behind, and sometimes, others give up because they just don’t get it. Not
only do I perform the task of educating others on the field of English, but I also
serve as a bridge that connects students to completely new territory called English.
Doing so is especially difficult with mentally challenged children, for whom I must
devise special lessons with smaller steps and extra details.
Sometimes, people ask me why I make myself go through all these. The answer is
clear and simple: sharing what I know with students and helping them in the
process bring me immense feelings of joy and accomplishment. At the end of each
lesson, I go home tired yet elated by the fact that I brought students closer to
mastering English, and as much as my students learn from me, I also learn from
my students. I have the opportunity to hone and polish my skills, and I get to
develop virtues like patience, tolerance, and inter-sectional understanding along the
way.
Even with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the experts agree that the field of
education will remain free from the influence of the automation. In fact, quality
education will become important than ever, since people need to develop unique
skills to survive in this ever-changing society. I think that although teaching foreign
language is difficult job, but I believe that my passion and belief will be able to
change others.
Thank you.