Meet Professor Sujeong Choi, a Korean Language instructor who was born on Hangul Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the Korean alphabet. Professor Sujeong has a deep passion for the Korean language and is currently teaching it to graduate students at KDIS. Join us as we learn more about her fascinating journey and contributions to Korean language education, perhaps fulfilling a destiny written in the stars.

Please introduce yourself, your educational journey and how it led you to being a Korean language professor.

I’m Sujeong Choi, currently teaching Korean language and culture at KDI School. I majored in Korean language and literature in college. In high school, my love for literature, particularly poetry, led me to pursue the Korean language and literature at university. However, upon entering university, I found myself more fascinated by Korean linguistics than literature. This fascination grew during my studies, especially as I had the opportunity to volunteer and teach Korean to foreigners every Saturday, fueling my interest in Korean linguistics and language education. This inspired me to apply my linguistic knowledge to teaching, hence why I pursued master's and doctoral degrees in Korean language education.

During my master's and doctoral programs, I taught Korean in various countries, such as Senegal and Vietnam, as well as to students from diverse backgrounds in Korea. However, to specifically discuss why I ended up teaching Korean at KDI School, we need to go back to 2015. During my doctoral studies, I had the chance to teach "Korean Language and Culture I" during the 2015 Pre-fall semester at KDI School for just one semester. It was only one semester, but teaching Korean at KDI School was incredibly rewarding, and the students I met during that time were so friendly that we still keep in touch today. This positive experience enhanced my perception of KDI School. Following this, I went to the United States to teach Korean language and culture at Emory University for four years. Then, upon my return to Korea in 2020, I found out that KDI School was hiring for a Korean language teaching position, and I applied for it. Thankfully, I have been teaching Korean language and culture at KDI School ever since then.

It's an amazing coincidence that you were born on Hangul Day, and you have other important life events that are marked on the same day, too. Can you please tell us more about this?

What an interesting question! Yes, I was born on Hangul (Korean alphabet) Day, and it feels like destiny that I am now researching and teaching Korean. While being born on Hangul Day didn't necessarily make me resolved to research and teach Korean, since it has always been my birthday, I couldn't help but know and remember Hangul Day from a young age, which perhaps contributed to my growing fondness for Hangul.

Moreover, Hangul Day also happens to be my parents' wedding anniversary. What's even more remarkable is that I got married two years ago, and it turns out that my parents-in-law's wedding anniversary is also on Hangul Day! If Hangul Day weren't my birthday, I also might have even chosen to get married on that day as well. But I didn't want my birthday and wedding anniversary to be on the same day. In many ways, Hangul Day holds significant meaning for me.

What has been your experience at KDIS teaching Korean to international students (non-native Korean speakers), especially those learning Korean for the first time?

Teaching Korean to students learning it for the first time has always been incredibly rewarding. Witnessing students who had no prior knowledge of Korean learn to read, write, and communicate with Koreans through our lessons has been immensely gratifying. Believing that beginnings are crucial in any endeavor, I strive to make learning Korean an enjoyable and engaging experience for newcomers to the language.

Moreover, students learning Korean for the first time are typically new arrivals to Korea. Therefore, I not only teach Korean but also actively assist students in adapting well to life in Korea. During class, I emphasize not only Korean language skills but also that I am here to help them navigate any difficulties they may encounter while living in Korea. I aspire to be not only a professor teaching Korean language and culture but also a supportive guide in their lives, positively impacting and influencing them.

Can you please share your fondest memory of teaching Korean at KDIS?

Teaching Korean at KDI School has been filled with many joyful moments. Among them, this one stands out: one student took my suggestion to heart and established a female football club at KDI School. At the beginning of each semester, before starting the Korean language class, we have an introductory session where students introduce themselves. During these sessions, I noticed that many female students enjoy playing football. However, the existing football club at KDI School was predominantly for male students, making it difficult for female students to participate due to physical differences. So, when one female student mentioned her passion for football, I encouraged her to consider starting a football club for female students. Several months later, I received an email from that student expressing her motivation to create a female football club at KDI School and asking if I could be the club's advising professor. I was amazed by her initiative and reminded that words of encouragement can have a significant impact on others. I gladly accepted the role, and the female football club at KDI School was established. Witnessing the students come together weekly to play football, build camaraderie, and prioritize their health was truly heartwarming. When they presented me with a uniform for the female football club, I couldn't help but feel proud and touched by their gesture. These are pictures of my uniform. Isn't it cool?

Like this memory, teaching Korean at KDI School has provided me with countless memorable experiences. I look forward to creating more joyful moments with our students in the future as well!

What do you think are the peculiarities of teaching Korean at KDIS in comparison with other universities?

Teaching Korean at KDI School stands out due to our diverse student body, comprising individuals from various countries, ethnicities, and religions, a characteristic not commonly found in other universities. This diversity fosters a unique learning environment and promotes cross-cultural understanding, offering students a broader perspective on language and culture.

Secondly, unlike many universities where Korean language classes may be attended by undergraduate students, at KDI School, all the students are graduate students. This demographic brings with it a higher level of maturity, responsibility, and commitment to their language learning journey. As a result, the classroom atmosphere at KDI School is often characterized by focused and engaged learners who actively participate in discussions and collaborative activities.

What do you enjoy most about teaching Korean at KDIS?

What I enjoy most about teaching Korean at KDI School is not only teaching Korean language and culture in the classroom but also taking students on field trips to experience Korean and culture in the real world. Each semester, we go on field trips to places where students can experience various aspects of Korean traditional and contemporary culture. Depending on the season, we admire cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. We have visited diverse places such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Namsan, the Hangul Museum, Andong Hahoe Village, Nami Island, Korean Folk Village, and so on. I am glad to see students try on hanbok, learn mask dances, and make Korean food during these trips. Furthermore, providing students with opportunities to practice the Korean they have learned in the classroom, such as ordering food at restaurants and asking about prices at souvenir shops, in real-world settings is gratifying. With spring approaching this semester, I am already looking forward to a warm spring day with beautiful flowers during a field trip with my students!

What advice would you give to international students who are just starting to learn Korean?

I'd like to give four pieces of advice to international students who are just starting to learn Korean.

Firstly, mastering the basics is crucial. So, when learning Hangul, make sure to learn it properly and strive to accurately understand the shapes and pronunciations of consonants and vowels. After each class, it's essential to practice and review what you have learned to integrate it into your knowledge fully. If you encounter difficult characters or pronunciations while learning Hangul, don't hesitate to ask your professor questions until you understand them properly!

Secondly, try using the Korean you've learned outside the classroom. Language learning doesn't stop at the classroom door; ultimately, it's about being used in the real world outside. So, not only try speaking with Koreans at KDI School using the Korean you've learned but also try to use Korean outside of KDI School. Using Korean outside the classroom can boost your confidence and quickly improve your Korean skills.

Thirdly, don't be afraid of making mistakes. Since you're not Korean, it's impossible to speak Korean perfectly like a native. Koreans will applaud your efforts to try speaking Korean and will be willing to help you. Don't be discouraged by mistakes; instead, view them as opportunities for growth. Embrace the learning process and celebrate your progress along the way.

Lastly, have fun! Learning a language should be enjoyable. That's why I try to teach Korean in an enjoyable way in the classroom. I hope you'll find learning Korean enjoyable too. Try chatting with Korean friends in Korean, and watch fun Korean movies, dramas, or variety shows with subtitles. Study Korean in a way that feels fun and engaging!