South Korea

Communication Tool

Anonymous

A language is a communication tool. Especially, English is the most popular communication tool globally. As long as I stay in America, I have to speak English to communicate with other people.

I would like to share a bad experience which was like a nightmare. When I came to this country, I couldn’t speak, listen, write or read in English at all. My husband always helped me with everything at that time. One day, my husband and I went grocery shopping. He and I got in line at the cash register. Suddenly he disappeared to pick up something. I was afraid and was waiting alone. It was my turn to pay for my groceries. The cashier asked me something, but I couldn’t understand. She asked me something again and again. I couldn’t answer anything. Eventually, she became mad at me. While I was feeling frustrated, my husband came back to me and solved the problem. I am thinking back then, I don’t remember what she said exactly and completely. I just guessed that maybe she had asked, “Plastic or paper?” If she showed me a plastic bag and a paper bag, I would have been able to answer easily. She didn’t realize that I couldn’t speak English.

After that, I was determined to learn English, but I couldn’t actually attend ESL classes at school because I had a full-time job and a baby. I studied English by myself. Now, I am so happy to learn English systematically at SPSCC. My communication tool, English, is getting better.

Beneficial Experiences in Life

By SungHun Bong

I was born and raised in Seoul, the capital of Korea.

When I was young, I remember being about 16 to 19 years old. At that time, I experienced various kinds of part-time jobs.

That experience helped me understand the lives of people in need, and I think it was still a good experience.

Experiences such as gas stations, bars, newspaper delivery, construction sites, and delivery helped me understand other people’s lives.

We try to make a better life and environment in our lives. It’s probably about having a dream. But people’s dreams will be possible when they are given the minimum environment to achieve their dreams. This is because no matter how good a dream is, it cannot be realized realistically without the time, health, or money to prepare for it.

Also, I think that vision or dream for the future should be able to give a sense of accomplishment to the mind.

If I achieve my dream and have no joy, even when I achieve it, it will probably be considered a wasted time.

I had a dream of faith and I will try to achieve it in the future. The dream is to practice and obey the word of God that I love.

Achieving it seems to start and end with loving and helping others.

There will be a number of ways.

I think the actual effect will be achieved in my life and other people’s lives when I find and practice what I can do in God’s Word.

God knows how long I can do it. So a day is a precious gift and I am grateful.

My Immigration Story

By Soyeong Kim

It has been 5 months since I came to America. I don’t know much about America yet, but I’m getting to know it little by little.

When I first came here, I couldn’t even order a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Because I was afraid to talk to native speakers. Also, I had no confidence. I knew I had to face my fears. So, I looked for an ESL class. And as a result, I am here!

I met good teachers and classmates here. There is more and more homework, but I can still handle it. During my classes, I also got a job and started driving. I’m still afraid to speak English, but now I know the fact that anything is possible when you give it a shot.

I am very much looking forward to the future. Don’t give up your courage.

Characteristics of South Koreans and Americans

By Youngsoon Kim

People in both countries are kind and like to help people. Also, the two countries are free and democratic. However, the ethnic characteristics of the two countries are different. South Korea is a homogeneous country and has a strong sense of community. On the other hand, the United States is a multiethnic country and respects individuals. South Korea omits a lot of words and uses the word ‘we’ a lot. The United States should not omit the words and they must use the subject of the sentence. South Korea uses honorifics and informal speech. The United States speaks the same language to everyone. When greeting, South Korea bows and the U.S. shakes hands. There are many other differences, but I hope this will help you when you meet the people of both countries.