Good Neighbor News

Thank you, U.S Soldiers' Teachers

KyungIn Ilbo

“Talking with U.S. Soldier teachers, I don’t have any feelings that English is difficult.”

U.S. Soldiers and KATUSA soldier in 2nd ID in Dongdoocheon get big applause from near communities, volunteering as English teachers for local elementary and middle school students to improve their motivation.

The volunteers consist of 120 soldiers of U.S soldiers and KATUSA soldiers from 1st brigade headquarters, artillery, and recon battalion. They have offered English classes one or two hours every week to 860 students in 11 schools, after Dongbo elementary school and 9th infantry 2nd battalion made friendship ties in May 2009, followed by friendship ties between other schools and units. The volunteering teachers, who are visiting Bosan elementary school, are doing games or reading books in English, a type of an active tutoring style.

They emphasize the change of a way thinking and structure of vocalization. The volunteers apply Korea’s culture to English education by cooking and sharing foods with students in home-ec classes, for not being nervous when students facing U.S. soldiers. Also volunteering teachers have invited students into the army posts on weekends and taught students to express their feelings and communicate freely by playing sports with U.S soldiers.

Especially, USFK volunteers, including Sgt. Maj. Raul transferred to another unit gave warm helps to local communities by offering scholarships to unfortunate students.
“At fist, English is hard for me to learn, but it gets much easier after studying with U.S soldier-teachers. Now I feel like I would not be terrified when I meet other foreigners,” said Lee Tae Seok, who is taking lessons from one of the English classes.

A teacher named Kim Dong Cheol said, “I’m very grateful for U.S soldiers teaching our students despite a hectic training schedule. And I beg parents and local governments for continuous interest.”