A Very Old Interview

The local newspaper, roughly translated into English, 'The City of Ansan Current News,' interviewed me when I was starting my career as an ESL teacher.

ENGLISH SUMMER CAMP!

From August 17^th to August 21^st at Kyeong Su Middle School was the English Summer Camp with native English teacher Atticus Aaronson. Students learned about weather and temperature, how to describe people’s looks and personality.

For one week, students from first, second and third grade attended the English Summer Camp. The English teacher Atticus said, “It was nice to have such well-behaved and attentive students. Even though there were a lot [27 students total] they listened well and participated with the lessons and

games.”

He also added, “I look forward to every camp – both summer and winter – because the students are so great!”

When asked about tips for helping students learn English, he said, “Learning a new language is very difficult – no matter if it’s Chinese, Japanese or English. The best tip I can give is for students to make a schedule. Tell yourself that at this certain time, I’m going to study English.”

“For other tips, I think students should do an internet search for English speaking pen pals. At first, you will talk through writing…and then who knows? Maybe they can have a Skype phone conversation when they become better friends.”

But when it comes to studying English in class, Atticus had these tips, “Listen and participate. If you don’t listen, you won’t understand. If you don’t participate, you won’t practice English. Think of it this way: you need to learn English. You have to be in class anyways, so please listen and participate so that you can strengthen your English ability.”

Atticus likes to teach English, but he finds it frustrating when students play games and talk to each other in class.

He said, “English class can be fun, but it’s also a class. It’s not time for you to play games and talk to your friends. You have to do work…which is to learn English. So please, please, please, please understand my class will be fun so long as we continue to do work.”

***Atticus Aaronson has been an English teacher at Kyeong Su since 2008. He is going to continue teaching at the school until 2010.