This entry won't be nearly as long as the other; so here it goes.
On Sunday morning, a Korean friend of mine was studying for his English exam. He doesn't have a lot of native speakers for friends, so he called me up to practice. He had a set of questions his teacher gave him that he'd have to hold a conversation about for twenty minutes, so we started with those. Though.... They weren't all questions I'd expect to see on a college oral exam.
What are your hobbies?
Are you interested in travel?
What is your favorite food?
What do you do on weekends?
Do you and your friends enjoy drinking alcohol?
What is your father like?
What is your mother like?
In your opinion, What is Russell like?
How often do you watch TV?
What do you do when you have a hangover?
Do you drink you are healthy?
Do you do any exercise or play any sports?
What are you doing this summer vacation?
What kinds of TV shows do you enjoy watching?
Who is sexier _____________or_____________?
What season is worse, summer or winter?
Which is more fun _____________or________________?
What should I do in your hometown?
Can you recommend a good restaurant?
Have you ever seen a famous person?
Have you ever fought with someone?
Have you ever done something illegal?
Have you ever gotten really drunk on alcohol?
What would you like to change about your appearance?
What is something you want to learn in the future?
What is something you hope to buy in the next year?
We started talking, and then we ended up chatting for three hours about various things. Since I talked quicker than his instructor, and I didn't have a British accent, he had a bit of trouble following, but with some typing and repetition we managed to make it through.
It was funny; We actually left the topics several times and got onto stuff that set America and Korea apart. For example, we were talking about American TV shows, and he mentioned that there was a lot of sex in them, which doesn't happen in Korea. He said that Korea has a duty to protect juvenile eyes and ears, and so they're very careful with what they put on TV or play on the radios.
Somehow, our topic changed from that to sexual education in Korea. Seonghoon said while they do have it, they don't really discuss the consequences other than it ruining your shot at an education and consequently your future. I told him about ours, and the speaker we had (a girl who had had a child at 16) and he was shocked. He couldn't believe that there were girls who got pregnant in highschool!
He went on to say that most highschools are separated. While they may have a small amount where the classes are mixed, after middle school they split the schools up. Consequently, he said it was hard for them to find time to think about anything but studying, and most parents would pay even more to send someone to a single sex school if it meant they'd focus more.
We spent a lot of time discussing the differences in music, and I showed him some kpop groups he didn't even know! Seonghoon is a very focused guy, so he doesn't watch TV or go to concerts, and when he goes out its strictly drinking with his friends. We talked about drinking culture in Korea, and the rules that have to be followed, and I told him America doesn't have such uniform traditions.
The entire conversation was just really interesting. I love to see the cultural differences between Korea and America, but Korea has its short commons in comparison. People in Korea aren't very educated about acceptance, and so Seonghoon would say kind of racy things without realizing it. But after correcting some of the stereotypes, I think he learned a thing or two about American people as well!
I'm still awaiting the results of his English exam, and I'm also awaiting the B1A4 repackaged album. \o/ I'll be studying a lot harder this week, since he wants to have a conversation in Korean before too much longer. So busy!
It was funny; We actually left the topics several times and got onto stuff that set America and Korea apart. For example, we were talking about American TV shows, and he mentioned that there was a lot of sex in them, which doesn't happen in Korea. He said that Korea has a duty to protect juvenile eyes and ears, and so they're very careful with what they put on TV or play on the radios.
Somehow, our topic changed from that to sexual education in Korea. Seonghoon said while they do have it, they don't really discuss the consequences other than it ruining your shot at an education and consequently your future. I told him about ours, and the speaker we had (a girl who had had a child at 16) and he was shocked. He couldn't believe that there were girls who got pregnant in highschool!
He went on to say that most highschools are separated. While they may have a small amount where the classes are mixed, after middle school they split the schools up. Consequently, he said it was hard for them to find time to think about anything but studying, and most parents would pay even more to send someone to a single sex school if it meant they'd focus more.
We spent a lot of time discussing the differences in music, and I showed him some kpop groups he didn't even know! Seonghoon is a very focused guy, so he doesn't watch TV or go to concerts, and when he goes out its strictly drinking with his friends. We talked about drinking culture in Korea, and the rules that have to be followed, and I told him America doesn't have such uniform traditions.
The entire conversation was just really interesting. I love to see the cultural differences between Korea and America, but Korea has its short commons in comparison. People in Korea aren't very educated about acceptance, and so Seonghoon would say kind of racy things without realizing it. But after correcting some of the stereotypes, I think he learned a thing or two about American people as well!
I'm still awaiting the results of his English exam, and I'm also awaiting the B1A4 repackaged album. \o/ I'll be studying a lot harder this week, since he wants to have a conversation in Korean before too much longer. So busy!
WOW! What a learning experience - and a cool connection you have. I am glad you are taking advantaage of your summer to do more than the stereotypical teenage sleeping in, watching tv, etc. Good for you.
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