Songgokians in 2021

Jin Woo-rim

Chinese Language Education at Graduate School of Education, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Please introduce yourself briefly!

Hello, everyone. My name is Jin Woo-ri. As you know, I took the Chinese class for tourism at Songgok Tourism High School and am the homeroom teacher for the 6th class of freshmen. I’m shy, but I’ll briefly introduce myself. I’ve been running nonstop since college before I graduated from exchange students, language training, and internship at home and abroad.

When I was an exchange student, my Chinese conversation skills improved significantly. My experience in China was the most significant experiential learning time for me, who majored in Chinese. When I returned to Korea, I constantly applied for activities and internship opportunities to exchange my major with both countries. I have a history of working as an intern at many different companies in various fields, wanting to experience a variety of experiences at a young age.

Meanwhile, I taught Chinese at a Chinese academy as an instructor. That’s why I was confident in education. I went to Singapore because I could improve my language skills in English. I thought it would be helpful for me because people use both English and Chinese in Singapore. After finishing the language training, I worked as an intern at a local company as a member of sales and marketing. I covered overseas markets in China and Singapore. Since then, I have had a new goal of becoming a professional teacher who can communicate with students and entered the Graduate School of Education.

When I was an undergraduate, I had had the experience of teaching Chinese at an elementary after-school class. I volunteered to teach high school students about creative economy and management with local youth. In addition, I participated in events and small meetings for multicultural families every weekend as a helper. It led me to become intimate with students from multicultural families by helping them learn Korean. I felt that many tasks were to help around, such as language adaptation and job placement. After that, I wanted to know how to experience genuine education, even as a student majoring in pedagogy. I usually like to give my talents to others. It’s not that great, though. Still, I want to be a teacher who helps pretty students like Songgok Tourism High School friends and delivers positive messages.

Tell us about your first impression of Songgok Tourism High School.

Various practice rooms and subjects in the school were the most impressive. Compared to other schools, the hard work of incumbent teachers who listened to students’ career employment was great. The students were relatively mature and intelligent, so the friends of tourist high school who enjoyed their school life were pretty.

What was the most memorable thing you did while at Songgok Tourism High School?

The most memorable thing was that students visited me in front of the student lab to consult. Even now, I think of each of their concerns. I will never forget my friends who looked at me with sparkling eyes. I think I felt and experienced that my experience and story are a great motivation and strength for them for the first time.

I am curious about your high school life.

I always went to different classes away from my previous best friends in high school. I lived in school life in an environment where I was independent and could hang out with many friends. As I became a high school student, I felt pressure about my grades and mock tests, and I gradually realized that I had to take care of my own. All the students played and studied hard in my school, so I naturally competed with my friends. Sometimes, I felt my self-esteem lowered. However, when I was a senior in high school, my homeroom teacher encouraged me. My teacher’s praise and encouragement helped me a lot. He taught me an expansive world and gave me a broader perspective, thinking of a career simply as a job. Thanks to the teacher, I had a dream of becoming a teacher. You’ll feel that your high school life, which will never come back, was a pink time when you become an adult. But I hope you can fully enjoy the present flower-like days.

Please tell me what classes you take in college and your activities.

As a graduate student, I am currently a teaching assistant at school and taking major and pedagogy classes in the evening. It’s a pity that all classes are held online after COVID-19. However, I am learning a lot from my good professors in classes. I think studying is more and more fun. Why did I realize this now?

Lastly, please say anything or advice to students who want to go to school or get a job!

My friends who took my class know my story of going to school and getting a job too well. As a person who has experienced both, I want to tell the students. Think first about why you choose to go to school or get a job. Isn’t it just environmental requirements and parents’ recommendations that make you consider your choice? First, it is most important to think and choose yourself. If it’s not the thoughts and decisions from your head, you’ll have to come back for the first time. The first start is always important. Going to school or getting a job has both advantages and disadvantages. Before considering these two things, I hope you have enough time to think about what to do.

Baek Ga-gyeong