Name: Jeong in-ju (Stephanie)

Date: June 9th,2014

Class: TESOL 101WD

A truly heart-warming teacher.

15thofMay,Itisateacher’s day in Korea. When it is coming, some people remember the teacher who people has been respected or liked. For a long time, I could not remember any special teacher for me. That was such a sad thing. But, I would like to look back my school life again. There were some good memories as well as bad things.

When I was a girl, aged 14 ~ 18. Puberty, for me, was considered a trying time. There were lots of pressure in school and home. I could not agree the adult world, kind of their thoughts. Specially, in the school, I was a rebel disobeying the strict school rules. But, I was not a bad student and grumpy person. Unfortunately, nobody cared my problem.

However, I can remember some good teachers. The first one is my music teacher when I was a middle school student. She had a small height, but skillful and smart. The reason why she is a good teacher is that she provided memorable and meaningful activities during the lesson watching educational films such as Gilbert grape, Good will hunting. Those films are not light in terms of story. including big things. Like love, family, friendship furthermore life. It was just like a few words of consolation for me. After viewing film, the teacher always gave us some food for thought. It was like a discussion for our life. Because the topic was always about our life. She understood our difficulty as a student. So, she comforted us with soothing talk. Actually, It was also a part of the music class. The background music is important for being in harmony with the film story. She also offered some information about the OST and BGM to create a synergy effect. I used to write down my feelings when I listen to the music. For that reason, I can still remember music related the film with the story. If I have a chance, I would like to meet the teacher to thank her.

I also have another woman teacher. I quite recently met that teacher. When I have been to England to study English for 5 months,

I was in intermediate class first. Her name is Rosie. I liked her name.

I thought the name suited well her image. She is a good listener and praised me when I answered correctly as well as creatively. She usually said “You are a little genius Stephanie!” “You are really getting better!” “Your pronunciation is very good!” Those praise always inspired me. I could feel I improved in speaking. Compared to other teacher, relatively I could speak freely and easily. Because she focused on the atmosphere motivates the foreign student to speak without burdens.

On the other hand, I also had a bad experience learning English. When I was a second student in middle school, my English teacher was old and stubborn besides negative. He always pointed out every single mistake. Even he did not praise when the student answered correctly. Without any compliment, he was busy searching for complaint about us. Sometimes I doubted whether he is insane for speaking so carelessly. Naturally, the student including me disliked speaking English in front of him. Anyone wanted to talk with him. We just sat in the class, did other thing not related to the class. It was a terrible time. I don’t want to be a that kind of teacher.

In conclusion, I like the atmosphere in class which is respectable and free to talk student opinions. Teacher is not the only adult. The student also has their own opinion worth considering properly. I believe the teacher has to be a facilitator not anymore an authority in the class. Furthermore, I like the teacher listening to the students’ speaking well. In speaking English, confidence is very important. Teacher should produce an informal atmosphere for student to participate in the class comfortably. Needless to say, It is also necessary to make the rule in the class.

I want to be a teacher as just I dreamed.  While I was writing down this essay, I was getting clear what teacher I want to be.

I want to be a truly warm-hearted teacher for future students !