30 Teaching and Learning
Flipping the Classroom Walking in Students’ Shoes
O
n returning in January 2021 from a two-year stint back home in England, I noticed my Korean language skills had seriously faded. The frustration of struggling to find words again told me loud and clear: This language learning fossil needed an urgent booster shot of Korean. An internet search for available Korean language classes in Gwangju revealed only a couple of viable options: language exchange by Zoom or a face-to-face class at the Gwangju International Center (GIC). Having had quite enough of Zooming of late, the GIC class it had to be. Fortunately, the application process was very smooth, consisting of a simple, self-administered level test from the GIC website and then selecting a time that suited me. The GIC staff were quick to reply by email and managed to squeeze me in at the last minute to join a Saturday class.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
February 2022
TEACHING & LEARNING
By Chris Judd
2022�02��.indd 30
It was from here on that the lessons really began, but not just in terms of studying Korean. I quickly realized that this experience would provide a great opportunity to pick up some teaching tips and insights along the way. I had flashbacks to why I fell in love with teaching as a new EPIK teacher in Pohang back in 2012. It was while learning Korean in classes at POSTECH, and at language exchange meetups in cafes, that I experienced what fun and power there was in learning a language. This realization energized my
teaching practice and eventually made me join Korea TESOL to help develop my craft. LESSON 1: FIRST DAY NERVES After packing my bag in the morning, as I approached the GIC, the old familiar first lesson nerves kicked in. Who would be in my class? How would the teacher be? Having not been a student for some time, this gave me a good chance to empathize with how the students in my English classes at Chosun University must feel. Luckily, the class had a relaxed vibe, so after a quick round of selfintroductions, everyone in the class quickly settled. This must be a nervous time for freshman, too, so this was a reminder to be especially kind and patient in those first lessons of the semester. LESSON 2: BE UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR STUDENTS On the morning of the first lesson, I made a string of rookie errors – far from ideal when you are a teacher and know the value of making a good first impression with your new teacher and classmates. Having signed up at the last minute, not yet having bought the textbook, and
▲ Cookie decorating: A fun Christmas activity that created a fun mood for chatting in Korean.
2022-01-24 �� 1:25:26
