Right now I am teaching two classes (two hours each) filled with Korean students who have studied abroad in America for the past school year. They have experienced an Amercian highschool life without the ever presence of a Korean parent. Now they are back there in Korea for the summer studying while their American classmates are probably doing everything but studying.
My coworker John, who is American came to Korea last year filled with enthusiasm for teaching. His plan was to go back to Colorado after wonderful teaching experiences here in Korea, and go about his dream of being a teacher. Fast-forward three months later, and John has a new outlook. Here I quote: “If this is how the American students act, I definitely am not going back to teach.” Teaching these international students seemed to have put a dent in his career, and last time I checked John was reading through, What color is your parachute?
I hate that these Korean students learned rude North American expressions. It sounds awful. While they think it sounds cool, I think it sounds so ridiculous. As my Korean friends, Julie said, it sounds “so bad” when foreigners learn Korean curse words. I agree. Rudeness and has its part of life, in speaking, actions or whatever. Still I question whystudents have to display that the only thing they have learned in eight months in a foreign language are ways to insult someone?