Sample Translations
Kyunghee Kim
Welcome to School E ng l i s h
Book Information
Welcome to School (경축! 입학을 축하합니다) Association of Young Authors Publishing corp. / 5 p. For further information, please visit: http://library.klti.or.kr/node/772
This sample translation was produced with support from LTI Korea. Please contact the LTI Korea Library for further information. library@klti.or.kr
Welcome to School Written by Kyunghee Kim
“I’m scared that the other kids will make fun of me.” “I’m afraid that I’ll have to stand in the corner if I don’t listen to the teacher.” “I hate carrots, and I am afraid that I will be forced to eat all my carrots.” “I’m worried that the tests will be too hard.” “I’m scared that I will be yelled at because I’m late to class.” “I’m afraid that I may have to do homework all night long.” “The older kids look scary. I’m afraid that they will beat me up.” “What if the teacher makes me do things that are hard? I’m scared.” “I’m worried that the teacher won’t pick me when I raise my hand.” “I’m scared that there won’t be a playground.” “I’m afraid that I won’t make friends.” “I’m worried that there won’t be a break time.” “What if my teacher is a man? I’m scared.” “I’m afraid that the classroom will be too small.” “I’m worried I won’t do well in school.” “I’m scared that the teacher will yell at me because I don’t do my homework well.” I’M SCARED OF SCHOOL!
I am seven years old. A worry-free seven-year old!
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I’m a troublemaker seven-year old. One day, Mom said, “When you are done playing, Make sure you clean up after yourself. You are going to school soon. That means you’re old enough to clean up your own mess.” School? The scary place I have heard so much about?
The lunch is so spicy that you spit fire, And the classrooms are full of evil kids.
The teacher turns into a scary witch when she gets angry. And you can’t move even a smidgen during class time.
What do I do? I’m scared. I’m afraid.
I’m not go to school. Never ever!
But... Here I am. At my terrifying school.
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I want to be a baby again. No, I wish it were prehistoric times. Then, I wouldn’t have to go to school.
I told my mom when she was busy taking a photo, “Mom, I’m not going to school!” She answered, “It’s new and strange, but school is a fun place.” <Fun Primary School>
On the first day of school, The teacher said, “Today, we are going to draw lines. Take out your crayons.” Crayons? Where? Where are my crayons? Oh no! I must have left them at home.
I’m in trouble now. The teacher will turn into an evil witch. What will become of me? <Crayons! Ahhhhh!>
But the teacher smiled gently. “You forgot to bring yours. Let’s ask your classmates if you can borrow some.” <Huh?>
Being alone on the playground is so boring.
But then, one of my classmates called me over. “Hey, let’s play together!”
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We played hard. It was really fun.
Then came lunchtime. I took a spoonful of rice and gobbled up some meatballs. Yummy! I became brave and took a small bite of kimchi. Ha… spicy. Very spicy! But I can take it.
My classmate Seohee saw my face and said, “Your face is red.” I flared my nose and said, “’Cause I’m blowing out the fire. Puff.” “Haha, you are funny!”
But it’s a little difficult trying to stay still in class. I want to talk to my friends, and walk around… But I guess I should try harder.
But I can’t hold it any more. I’ve got to say something. “Teacher, I need to go to the bathroom.”
Looking back, School is a pretty fun place to be. There is a very kind teacher,
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And many friends to play with.
“I’m going to school now!” School is really, really fun.
“I like how I can go out to the playground during a recess” “I like how there are lots of breaks.” “I was worried that there would be too much homework, but there isn’t. I like that.” “I really like lunch.” “I like my funny teacher.” “I like my friends who help me when it’s hard.” “I like how I can make things and study fun stuff.” “I like how there are many books in the library.” “I like my friends because they listen to me.” “I like the big playground where I run around.” “I thought school was going to be scary, but it’s not. I like it.” “I like having friends at school. I also like my pretty, kind teacher.” “I like how I can go to the nurse when I’m sick.” “I had to bring a lunchbox when I was in kindergarten, but now I don’t have to.” “I like how I can learn lots of things from my teacher.”
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