Jillian TS #5

Date/Time: May 16, 2017; 9:00-10:00 A.M.
Location: Home via Skype (Tallahassee/Seoul)
Topic: English in South Korea
Feedback: Some article correction was needed. I told her for the most part she is very clear. Every once in a while, though, she forgets some articles or prepositions.

The original plan was to discuss an article I messaged to her, but Soyoung accidentally forgot because of her school work. We pushed it to Friday because I understand how overwhelming school can become sometimes. Instead, we briefly talked about Taiwan and English in Korea.

I mentioned Taiwan because of my conversation partner and Soyoung was excited to talk about the country. Her boyfriend is from Taiwan and she plans to stay with him next semester. That is actually why she practices her English so much. Her boyfriend does not speak much Korean and Soyoung does not speak much Chinese, so the only language they have in common is English. We thought it funny that we both have some kind of connection to Taiwan--though hers is a little more physical than mine.

What we mostly talked about was learning English in South Korea. I asked if her roommate spoke English and Soyoung actually did not know if her roommate does or does not. She told me that English is generally just used to get a job. Once someone is hired, they usually stop practicing English because they no longer see it as necessary. A lot of Koreans, she said, do not see English as useful. They are taught to read, write, and listen but not really how to speak it. I am starting to notice a pattern in many foreign countries where speaking English is not seen as a priority. I actually kind of agree with Soyoung about English feeling useless in that case.

This session I realized that Soyoung writes down any words I say that she does not understand. Occasionally I spell out words in the Skype chat, but she will physically write down any extra words I use but she does not ask to be defined. It is a great way for her to review words after our sessions.