Americans be like...
Tell me that's not the truth? ha-ha However, I do recognize that this does NOT apply to all Americans. I simply used this for a bit of comic relief.
This is so me though! I've walked in many a places in Texas thinking why would ya'll come to America, open up a store but can hardly speak English? There are several reasons why they would. I was aware of some of them but was still so irritated by it because I was being affected in a seemingly negative way. I remember I went to a convenient store up the street from my grandmother's house and the workers were Hispanic. I can't remember all the details, but I spoke to the cashier and he didn't speak back or try to answer the question I had. I was thinking, "How rude!" He could've at least tried. Anyway...
Walk with me for a minute. What happens when the tables turn? You walk off American soil and into FOREIGN territory. Do you have the same standard for yourself as you did for the foreigners in your country? Just a thought. As Americans, most of us EXPECT people to speak English in our country. Again, I am not making a general statement. I am not referring to everyone. However, it seems that people in other countries generally do not expect Americans to know or learn their language (Of course, there are a few exceptions). A lot of Koreans I've come in contact with are honored when a foreigner takes time to learn their language. My students literally applaud me when I say numbers in Korean. lol. They're so cute btw. However, some of the natives say, "Why do you want to learn Korean? You don't need to. You can live in Korea without it." This is very true.
Like I stated in the previous entry, I had NO intention of learning Korean. I was just mainly coming for a job (teaching English). I didn't see the point of learning it. I wasn't even concerned with "picking some of it up" until I got on the plane and things got real. lol
We all want to understand and ESP be understood even more so (if we're honest).
As time went on, I wanted to learn it (not out of mere necessity but respect and love). Seriously. lol After developing relationships with SO many amazing natives here (who speak English), I had a genuine desire to at least start the process. Of course, I would get frustrated at the bank, restaurants, and stores due to the language barrier, but frustration was not my only purpose for seeking to learn Korean. I met so many people (older people esp who could not speak ANY English) that seemed so sweet and I was so sad that I couldn't talk to them. Also, I just became fascinated with the language. I was hearing it constantly and became more curious than I expected. It was just so cool to me. YOU'RE SPEAKING IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE! Language is an amazing phenomenon to me NOW.
Hats off
I applaud those who are bi-lingual or multi-lingual through hard work and dedication to their studies. I could use the popular phrase and say, 'everybody isn't able' but the truth is 'everybody isn't willing'.
I hated that teacher; now I am that teacher.
I used to HATE learning Spanish in High school. I thought my teacher was crazy. It was my first day in Spanish and my teacher had the nerve to speak ONLY in Spanish throughout the whole class. Who does that?? Apparently, ME. I never thought in a million years, I would do the very job my Spanish teacher did. Life!! Sheesh. So when my babies get frustrated in class, I'm eternally patient with them (most of the times). :) I understand their struggle. I've experienced their frustration in Spanish class, at the nail shop in America (c'mon somebody), to living and working in Korea.
To be continued...
Have a wonderful weekend!
