The Other Eye
English | Korean
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The Other Eye is a newspaper column series written by Mr. Sahap Gizlen, the Executive Director of Prime Education, for Daily Sports Seoul New York, a weekly Korean language newspaper targeting the greater New York metropolitan area. The column is printed in both English and Korean, and discusses education, language, and other general topics that are of interest to the readers, who mainly come from immigrant backgrounds. It is found in the Education Section of the paper every Thursday.
For comments and suggestions, please please contact Mr. Gizlen at info@primenj.org.
Autumn in New York, October 26 , 2006
The Critical Mind, October 12, 2006
Everyday English, October 5, 2006
Education for Immigrants, September 27, 2006
It is Raining Softly Outside..., September 20, 2006
Children: Mirror of Parents, September 14, 2006
Away from Home…, August 24, 2006
What's on TV?, August 17, 2006
Following Dreams, August 11, 2006
Good Business!, August 4, 2006
Immigration Policy and Lou Dobbs, July 20, 2006
Grammar and Vocabulary, July 13, 2006
Which School is Right, July 6, 2006
Immigrant Kids in America, June 29, 2006
Learning English, June 22, 2006 |
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Mr. Sahap Gizlen, Executive Director of Prime Education.
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Autumn in New York
October 26, 2006
English | Korean
Regardless of the humdrum monotony of life, the seasons march on, and fall is once more here in New Jersey. As I walk through the vibrant canvas of red and yellow, I cannot help myself admiring the wonderful masterpiece of nature. How expressive is her beauty! Humans cannot even duplicate one tenth of nature’s brilliant palette.
To enjoy the gorgeous colors of the New England autumn, how about a quick drive? Just get on the Palisades Interstate Parkway and drive through rolling hills guarded by trees in full autumn bloom until you reach the Seven Lakes, where the calm waters serenely reflect nature’s vivacious exuberance, or the Bear Mountains, where the foliage of the surrounding country is spread out before you like carpet of gold and orange. You can also enjoy the autumn beauty by participating in one of the myriad of fall festivals that take place in the local area. How about going Trick-or-Treating with your children at this coming Halloween? There is also the upcoming Chocolate Show in Manhattan or the spectacular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
If you want to enjoy the New England autumn but are not thrilled about braving the chilly temperatures and nippy winds, there is a varied collection of movies that can give you a taste of the fall beauty without you having to leave the cozy comforts of your living room. One movie that jumps to the mind is “Autumn in New York.” Of course, personal opinions on movies can differ, but relaxing in your sofa and enjoying the performances of romantic actors against the picturesque backdrop of New York City can be respite for the souls of those who live an anxious life in a foreign country.
Autumn in New York City is a season ripe for experiencing the American culture. October and November is full events and festivals where America comes out to celebrate the splendor and vivacity of nature. Let us run out to the streets and drink in the energy of this wonderful season.
Be Well!!
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The Critical Mind
October 12, 2006
English | Korean
For a young and developing mind, having a critical mindset when approach new issues is imperative to the formation of an impartial and objective intellect. Criticism differs from accusation in that it is based on unbiased examination of facts and objective logic rather than intolerant prejudice and malevolent antagonism. Many immigrants come from backgrounds where the education system has been so engaged in cramming as much information into a person’s brain as possible that it has failed to cultivate an environment where creative criticism can roam free to form opinions that are uniquely individual. Once a person becomes accustomed to being fed pre-packaged information, he or she ceases to question the validity and the integrity of the information being given. The critical mind is quelled and the spoon-fed teachings become the truth and basis of all ideas.
To nurture a critical mind, one must first start with the question “Why?” Curiosity is the root of a scientific mind. From birth to adulthood, children attempt to observe and understand the world around them by continually questioning “Why?” Even when the questions seem silly, we, as their mentors, must take them seriously and answer them respectably.
Why were the African Americans slaves in the United States, a democratic country?
How did the Native Indians lose their land?
Why didn’t women in America have the right to vote until the early 20th century?
In schools across the United States, tougher standardized tests are being implemented as part of the No Child Left Behind act. Consequently we, as parents and educators, are having increased concerns about the performance of their children and students in these tests. However, instead of asking ourselves “How can my child get a higher score on her next test,” can we not ask, “Could education be truly improved through these tests?” or “What effect will these tests have on my child and her education?” It is critical questions such as these that will foster an educational environment which in turn, will encourage our children to become critical thinkers.
In the forward of his autobiography, one famous geographer recalls an episode from his childhood geography class. One day, the teacher, standing in front of a large map of Egypt, was speaking on the Nile River. The boy patiently listened to his teacher, and then raised his hand. “If water flows from a high place to a low place, then why does the Nile River flow from bottom to the top?” To this curious boy, who did not yet understand the topographic representation of compass directions and elevation on a map, the fact that the Nile River started from the bottom of the map and flowed towards the top of the map as such a strange sight!
Be well!
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Everyday English
October 5, 2006
English | Korean
It goes without saying that a foundation of strong vocabulary is helpful to learning a language. Another important aspect to learning a new language is to become familiar with real-life usages and applications of words and phrases that one learns in the classrooms.
One way to learn practical English is to study each piece of mail that arrives at your door. It is helpful to look closely at even the junk mail that has nothing of interest to you before you throw it into the trash can. In this pile of seemingly useless information, there is a wealth of real-world applications in the English language that you can study from. Start from easy to recognize words, and try to continue on to how sentences and phrases are structured. Through mail about credit card information, environmental issues, elections, local political and administrative issues, and a plethora of advertisements on all kinds of businesses, you can learn practical vocabulary and commonly used phrases and idioms.
If you are a parent, the notices that your child brings home from school every day could also be a valuable learning tool for you. In these are vast amounts of important and practical information such as this year’s academic calendar, computer lab rules, school dress code, how your child’s grades are awarded, how to prepare your child for school, how to deal with puberty in teens, how to prevent your child from using drugs, and which items are allowed or prohibited in classrooms. Don’t limit yourself by relying only on other parents around you for information on your child’s school. Be active in your child’s education.
When learning a language, it is easy to think of it as just a subject of study and lose interest in it after a short while. To create interest and motivate yourself, it could be helpful to subscribe to magazines related topic of your interest or your occupation. There are plenty of magazines that can be purchased or subscribed for $1 or $2 per month or less. It is okay to be greedy sometimes, but to be more practical, start with an easy goal by reading just a few pages at first and try to decipher them completely. Once you are more confident, you can increase the number of articles you read. There is no quick way to learn a language without using the language. There is a phrase in English – “Practice makes perfect.” If you continually try to use English in everyday activities, you will find yourself improving in no time.
Be well.
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Education for Immigrants
September 27, 2006
English | Korean
On November 19, 1863, amidst the Civil War that was tearing apart the fabric of American unity, President Lincoln said during his famous speech at Gettysburg, “…government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” America was founded by immigrants, and today, 230 years after its founding, America is still a nation of immigrants. In this land of immigrants, does the government of the immigrants, by the immigrants, for the immigrants exist?
Even until a short time ago, America has been called the “melting pot” where immigrants from various backgrounds are thrown into a hot furnace and fused into a singular culture that is uniformly “American.” However, today America is more often referred as a “stew” – a body of various cultural values that have come to intermingle and coexist with each other, yet retain their own distinctiveness.
There is a growing trend of multi-centralism in the public schools. Events such as ESL-World Language-International Dinner Event are on the rise. Italian flags were flying at streets in America when Italy emerged as champions in the recent World Cup. America is now a nation where immigrants can preserve their cultures and traditions while aspiring for an American life. In the past, immigrants have strived to learn English even at the cost of forgetting their native tongue. However, with studies showing that bilingual children adapt more easily and have higher understanding at school, it is now considered more beneficial to respect each child’s traditional native values and use them as a foundation to build new American values upon.
However, in the harsh realities of immigrant societies, it is almost impossible to adapt and survive on one’s own efforts and abilities alone. Ethnic, nationalistic, and cultural communities must be formed to gather and organize various individuals’ abilities. Efficient methods to address and answer the many problems that arise in immigrant life must be worked out within these communities. To achieve this goal, we, as parents and educators, need to have the vision to create educational programs to nurture the future leaders of our communities.
Be well!
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It is Raining Softly Outside...
September 20, 2006
English | Korean
September 11, 2001. It is a day that is forever etched into the memories of not just those who lost their loved ones in this horrible tragedy, but all who have witnessed it through their TV sets and radios. At the turn of the new century, there was another incident, the “Millennium Bug,” that caused much commotion in the world. Unlike the he Millennium Bug, which turned out to be just a false alarm hyped by the media, 9/11 was an event that forever changed the world as it headed into the 21st century. The first attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor signaled a dramatic changes in American thinking, both politically and socially. After a century littered with political struggles, starting from the World Wars and battle with fascism and Nazism and concluding with the end of Cold War and the arms race, America once stood at a crossroads of a new era of technology and science. However, now it is faced with a war on terror and a conflict between opposing ideologies. Despite its proclamation of promoting peace and democracy in the world, this new war has only presented to the world a new era of more chaos and bloodshed.
Whether we like it or not, as immigrants in America we are now faced with restrictions on our freedom. Despite the American ideals of this land being “the land of the brave and the home of the free,” we no longer understand what we are to be brave about and what we are free from. Instead, those here without proper documentation had to cringe in fear more than any time in the past, and the unpredictable economy has made everyone look only after their own interests first. Is this the world we had envisioned when we were struggling against dictators and oppressors with the passion for a better world?
When those facing death are asked about their greatest regret in life, most answer that it is not doing what they earnestly wanted to do in their life. What can we learn from these confessions? Some say that if you live each day as if it is the last day of your life, you will have fewer regrets. Steve Jobs, in his speech to college students, urged them to “stay hungry, stay foolish.” Even if we are hungry, even if others call us foolish, let us break free from the prejudices of the society and walk our own path.
Be well.
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Children: Mirror of Parents
September 14, 2006
English | Korean
While counseling parents and students, I often get the feeling that many parents think their children’s problems have developed overnight. Parents think that there is no correlation between their thoughts, values, or past actions and their children’s problems. Their responses are: “I don’t know who he takes after,” or “He wasn’t like this before, but recently he has been acting up.”
Is that really the case? Just as there is a cause for everything, there is always a preceding parental example that influenced the behavioral pattern of a child. Whether the child’s behavior is due to an innate personal trait or from an acquired quality, if the parents can recognize their own reflections in these behaviors and use them to guide the child to avoid the mistakes that they have made, then their job as parents is already halfway done.
What parent does not want their child to grow up to be a great person? Just as water must first heat up slowly before it can boil and become vapor, composers, musicians, and athletes must first go through years of practice and training before they can attain fame and recognition. Rome was not built in one day. It takes years of planning, preparation, and dedication to raise children. Understanding you child’s character, talent, interests, and abilities and adapting to them in your labor or love is the key to the other half of successfully raising your children.
Many parents worry so much about their children’s future that they are willing to try anything that other parents or the media say is good for children’s education. Some also feel that they have to constantly provide some kind of advantage for their children such as putting them in an accelerated program or signing them up for more lessons. In such cases, the parents tend to chase after rumored models of success. They are not basing their decisions about their children’s education on careful observations, but rather on what they see in other people’s perceptions and on their own need for self-gratification through their children’s successes.
What does it mean to lead your child to a successful future in immigrant life? The word “success” itself is ambiguous. Every person has a different definition of success. For parents with hopes and expectations for their children, what should be their definition of success? It is not an easy task, but we need to have an objective outlook on the future world that will be the stage for our children. We tell our children to look 10 years into their future and study hard right now for the success and happiness they will enjoy then, but we ourselves, when we were at our children’s age, could not imagine what our future would be like in 10 years. Then how can we, without considering carefully and objectively about what our children’s roles and responsibilities will be as an adult, advise and guide them responsibly to a brighter future? I hope, even in the midst of this hectic life, that for the sake of the children you can find time to look ahead into their future.
Be well!
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Away from Home...
August 24, 2006
English | Korean
“It’s quarter to three, there’s no one in the place, except you and me…” Those are the opening lines of a beautiful Frank Sinatra song. It is dark and lonely, and there is only one person listening. This friend is Joe, the late-working bartender. The song is about loneliness and the separation from a loved one. It is the kind of situation where, even if you are there sitting right next to Frank, you would not want to interfere and try to give some advice to make him feel better. Sometimes it is better to let out the sorrows and the grief. There is no use for rational explanations at that moment. You just let your heart speak.
A lot of times, living in a different country than yours gives a person an indescribable melancholy. One that sits deep in your unconscious. One that is camouflaged by laughter and joy. One that you feel when you are about to fall asleep and when you have just woken up. They say that if you want to be strong, you must not think about these things. To be American, you have to leave these behind you. Isn’t this what most Europeans did decades ago? They came by ship and knew that they could never go back again. Once they arrived, they went to night schools to learn English and pass their citizenship exams. They had to forget their past. One friend even told me of his Italian-born grandfather who hung his certificate of citizenship above his bed to reaffirm his existence as “100% American”.
In many ways, the United States and the world have changed tremendously since the 40s and 50s. You don’t need to wait for a letter to arrive in months anymore; just pick up the phone or write an email. Even if you decide to actually travel the other side of the world, you would get there by the next morning. TV channels, newspapers, and the internet are “just a click away”. But still… For some, it is not the visualization, but the surrounding elements, the breeze, or family.
The great American poet, Robert Frost says it very pragmatically, “Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” But I refuse to believe that it is the passport you carry or the flag you post on your rear window that determines your belongingness. Feeling home has to do with holding each other’s hands and knowing that your landsmen will bear with to you when it comes to it – just like Joe is listening to Frank. So I want to say it differently: Home is the place where, when you go there, people open their doors and their hearts for you.
Wherever one goes, this must be made a priority. You must create this home of yours regardless of the location on earth. Be a friend, and be there for others. It will open those doors for you and it will make you feel home.
Be well!
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What's on TV?
August 17, 2006
English | Korean
A lot of people ask me, “I know I need to watch TV to improve my English, but what am I going to watch? I turn on the TV and I don’t understand a thing!” Especially when there is a comedy running, who knows why there is a laugh track! “Why is everybody laughing? Am I missing something?”
A famous writer and speaker from the positive thinking movement, Dr. Wayne Dyer, says in one of his inspirational tapes, “You can’t learn basketball by not playing basketball.” This is a very simple yet extremely dramatic statement when you think about it. Your decisions and actions can completely change the course of your life and the ones around you. If you want to master a skill or be part of a group you have to get closer and face it! Why don’t you reach out and grab the hand? What is stopping you? Your pride, your health, your style, your clothes, your wife, your husband, mother, father, school, job?!
Now the question is, can you actually be part of a culture – share laughter and tears – without actually experiencing the same events? I say, why not? Not every American saw the assassination of President Kennedy, and not everybody saw Babe Ruth hit his record home run. But if you just followed some documentaries on PBS or Channel 13 you would be able to catch up with a lot of historical events that are joyful and also many issues that are considered sensitive or saddening to the country. And while doing so, because of the straightforward language that is used in documentaries, you would build a bridge to the popular culture that is presented on channels like MTV or E!
As you know, the bulk of movies and TV shows run on channels like NBC, CBS, UPN, FOX, TNT, etc. (To see all the programs and their schedules, go to www.tvguide.com and click on “listings”.) Why not choose a couple of sit-coms, news shows, movies, police dramas, gardening or home improvement programs, and create a bundle for yourself according to your work and school schedule? This package will become part of your routine, and within a couple of months, you will see that your connection with the cultural side of America is much stronger. If you add radio to that (such as WNYC – FM 93.9) when driving your car, nothing can stop you from learning the English language and the little variations it bears in different contexts. Yes, too much TV is a bad thing. But to speed up your learning, it’s the only way!
And one very important thing to remember: A person who learns and understands other cultures, does not lose his own culture; rather, he gains perspective and becomes more mature towards his own past. Isn’t that why people immigrate to other countries anyway?
Be well!
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Following Dreams
August 11, 2006
English | Korean
In many households, parents have already decided what their children are going to study and what positions they are going to take when they finish college. As kids grow up, they hear a lot of talk like, “my daughter is going to be a great doctor” or “my son will make it big, he is going to be a lawyer.” Even if they acknowledge that each generation has to chase their own dreams, most parents feel that they should be part of the process of decision-making when it comes to career choices. After all, the kid needs a guide; and who better than the parents themselves?
It is a very confusing situation, however. Do I, as an informed guardian, aim for a particular job description or do I let the kid discover what he or she wants to pursue in depth? Do I take advantage of all the extra curricular activities available in town or do I make the student focus on their studies only? Whatever the case, we all know that for each generation it is getting more and more competitive. We always want to do what is best for our kids. But are we really doing what is best for them or what is best for us? What are we actually looking for, financial freedom or spiritual enlightenment? A secure mid-level position or a high-risk money-making title? Presuming you want your kid to be independent and at least be able to pay his or her bills after college, there are already a few things you can do.
As time passes, technology advances, and social interactions vary, different skills gain importance in the job market. A person who was able to secure himself a job ten years ago may even have a hard time getting an interview today. Follow the news and political developments as well as the stock market. Try to understand the dynamics of politics on both the national and the local level. What do people need more in the future and what unique skills does my child have to offer?
Think more complex! Just because your daughter plays the piano well, it does not mean she has to be a pianist. If she indeed becomes one, that is great, but think further. What about a composer, an arts critic, a musician’s manager, an event organizer, a score writer for movies, a piano instructor at a college, a sound and recording pro, etc. Try to develop your kid’s skills in such way that she is able to adapt and learn easily from others.
Last but not least, instead of imposing a job upon your kid, help him or her gain control over her decisions by providing as much, yet as chewable, information as possible. Introduce your child to basic economics. How much income does one need to be able to uphold the current standard of living, how much to reach a better one? What does each job pay on average? Where would one have to move to get a better position? Unfortunately these things are not taught at school. And once your kid is at school, he should really focus on his goals. Trust me; if you are a good guide, there is nothing to stop your kid from realizing his dreams. Even economical crises and high gas prices!
Be well!
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Good Business!
August 4, 2006
English | Korean
Everybody knows the idea that if you are not professional, yu are not likely to succeed in your business. But, what does it mean to be professional? Does it mean to be cold-blooded as in the assassins in movies, or does it mean you charge someone an arm and a leg for a tiny service? Do you show an attitude as if you are above everyone or do you respond to everything by saying “Yes, sir... certainly, sir”? Maybe being professional has to include all of these depending on the situation. For the most part we can say that if you do what you are supposed to do the way you are supposed to do it, you are a professional. But whatever you do, you ultimately want your shop to operate smoothly and profitably.
According to the supply and demand model in a free market environment, prices adjust according to the demand for a service or product and the immediate availability of the same service or product by other providers. This means that if you open a business because you have seen similar companies making good money you might be in for a surprise. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before deciding to invest your time and money in a new venture. Go over these and think about how your services compare to other organizations in the same industry – and be honest when you answer them.
- How many companies nearby are competing with me?
- How is my company similar or different?
- What are my company’s strengths and weaknesses?
- Why should clients prefer to pay me instead of others for similar services?
Let us move to the next step, which is a little more complicated. And that is to lay out your answers in such way that you can measure them and make the right decisions. Many entrepreneurs hire consultants for that. These are individuals who do a lot of work for you and give you options. You can then choose in which direction you want to go.
It is true that sometimes, whatever you do, you can’t get to the top immediately. But be patient. Economies go up and down. If you already did your research, it takes a little time for people to get to know you. If your products and services are unique and you maintain a positive relationship with your customers you should be able to grow steadily.
In every culture there is a different understanding as to what rules in business, written or unwritten, are accepted by the majority. But one thing is for sure. Everybody enjoys quality and everybody respects good work. If you yourself can – with pleasure! – eat what you cook, there is no reason why others would not.
Be well!
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Immigration Policy and Lou Dobbs
July 20, 2006
English | Korean
If you watch CNN at 6:00 pm (EST), you will see the “middle-class advocate” Lou Dobbs constantly complaining about “broken borders” and illegal immigration. Mr. Dobbs even conducts surveys every evening asking questions such as: “Would you like to see the number of illegal immigrants currently in this country increased, decreased, or remain the same?” or “Do you think the government of Mexico encourages or discourages illegal immigration of its citizens into the United States?” These questions make absolutely no sense in that they neither measure a tendency nor a fact. In addition, to be fair to political science and sociology, the public must be given equal access to information from all side and thus the questions must be presented after a sophisticated evaluation of the problems at hand. Of course nobody wants the number of illegal immigrants to grow – in any country. Nobody wants to be part of that illegal crowd in the first place! Also, to respond to the second survey, how much does the show tell us about what political developments happen beyond Mexico so that we are able to make true judgment?
Although Mr. Dobbs has legitimate concerns regarding security and financial income for the middle class, there is no direct evidence that it is the immigrants, or illegal immigrants, that are the cause of the creation of low-paying jobs. The unemployment rate of the United States in 1982 was 9.7%. Since then, the rate of immigration to the U.S. has risen dramatically. However, the current unemployment rate is 4.6%.The claim, therefore, that there is more unemployment because of more illegal immigrants is ignorant. We must look at players like China and India, who set the bottom rates in the production of goods and the distribution thereof. They just happen to make the things we need better for cheaper! If you want to compete, you have to bring your prices down.
Another interesting statement that is repeatedly presented at Lou Dobbs Tonight is “I am pro immigration, but anti illegal immigration.” What does that really mean? How can a person go to an American consulate and say, “I want to legally immigrate to the United States.” In fact, state department employees first consider any applicant as a potential immigrant, that is, guilty until proven innocent. If the officer is not convinced that the non-immigrant visa applicant has the intention to return to his or her home country, he or she is nixed right on the spot.
The Canadians, on the other hand, have a questionnaire that the immigration candidate fills out. There are points that you accumulate based on your age, education, target state, etc. According to your background, you are admitted into the country or not. If the United States also moved towards a less discretionary model, people who aim to live here, just like Lou Dobbs’s forefathers, are processed more fairly. The immigrant does not have to lie and say, “I want to visit New York and see the Manhattan skyline.”
Be well!
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Grammar and Vocabulary
July 13, 2006
English | Korean
Throughout my teaching career, I have heard numerous students say, “My grammar is great, but I need more vocabulary.” Isn’t that interesting? You would expect a person with exceptional knowledge of English grammar to have mastered the art and usage of English vocabulary. But that’s not necessarily true. Too often, even teachers of ESL (English as a Second Language) in many countries, get entwined with the itsy-bitsy intricacies of grammar rules, but leave out other vital parts of the language – idioms and vocabulary. This does not happen intentionally. Many learners are more comfortable with putting things in order according to set formulas. At first, it is easier to memorize the Subject+Verb+Object sequence than it is to know which words will correspond to each category. I want to give you some tips to get you going faster in your quest for superior vocabulary and the proper usage thereof.
The most crucial thing one should do to enhance his or her vocabulary is to interact with as many people of various ages as possible. Be it at work, school, or a gathering at a friend’s house, force yoursel to listen to everything that is going on around you. Try to connect the words with the actions that you are able to observe. Try to form a relationship between those actions, the facial expressions, and the tone and words that go along with them. They all belong together. Once you have acquired a new word, put it to work. Whenever you think it is appropriate, make that word yours!
As much as human interaction is the ultimate goal, it is a fact that most of the time we are limited to certain individuals during a specific time period and therefore feel that our vocabulary capacity is not improving. This is not true. A person who is open to learning always finds an opportunity. The true difficulty is probably in deciding when, what and how.
When an evolutionary biologist speaks to his or her colleagues, you may hear words like “microevolution” or “phylogeny.” At which point would you feel it necessary to know the meaning of these words? The answer to this question also determines the range of knowledge you have to possess. You cannot just know a word or phrase without having at least a general notion of its meaning within a body of ideas. Words are nothing but simple representations of multi-layered complex ideas. When someone says “car” we think about everything from color to engine, from speed to traffic, etc. This means that a person who wants to improve his or her word power must start with learning issues and understanding concepts. Magazines of interest, movies, and the news are some ways to dive into new territory. You cannot live a monotonous life and become versatile.
One additional note: Although it may seem conflicting, I still need to stress the point that in the end, it is not how many words you know or speak, but rather how many you speak at the right moment.
Be well!
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Which School is Right?
July 6, 2006
English | Korean
It is true that Ivy League Schools are known everywhere in the world. There is a certain coolness about saying, “I’m at Columbia,” or “I went to Yale.” Yet, does that mean that other schools are less professional, less academic, or have a smaller after-school success rate? Certainly not! Still many parents and students just let great possibilities for education fly by because they are so infatuated with the idea of Harvard or Princeton. Of the 2,618 accredited colleges and universities in the United States (as of 2005), there are at least a hundred that are highly respected in certain fields of study. Many international success stories do not originate in a classroom at Dartmouth, Brown, or Cornell.
The first thing you must do is to examine your strengths and attitude and decide what you or your child is going to study. Once that is clear, it is easier to target a school and to convince the admissions officers that you are a great fit into their program. You might be surprised to see that the school you end up applying at is a school you never heard of before. This small filtering process will actually get you to a higher ground and make you ready for future academic ventures. You are more likely to show your real capacity when you are in an environment where people are more concentrated in the subject matter than in the label.
The next thing you need to do is to make a budget for yourself. There are many graduates who are stuck with paying an arm and a leg every month for 20 years just because they wanted togo to the University of Pennsylvania. It is a fact that not everybody gets a dream job immediately when they finish school. If you add a wedding, children, and a house to the bill, you might want to think again! Keep in mind that your net income is not equal to your salary. It is salary minus expenses – which can be much smaller than you might think.
Finally, enjoy your studies! Take deep breaths during class and let knowledge penetrate into your lungs. You will not be in the same room with the same professor talking about the same issues twice. Be sensitive to developments. Learn more than necessary. Although a B will make you feel OK, but an A will straighten your walk.
A good school for many may not be as suitable for you. You may still insist to become part of the Ivy League crowd, but do so after careful consideration. Your light could shine much brighter in a different campus. Ask a professional for help in guiding you in the right direction. You will not regret it.
Good luck!
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Immigrant Kids in America
June 29, 2006
English | Korean
You brought your kids to the United States because you want to give them “the best” education possible in so that they become successful individuals in this new continent. You want your children to become masters at school and speak English so fluently that they almost become like the rap artists on MTV. How do you do that?
The first thing immigrants do is to move into neighborhoods that are not very different from the environments of their home countries. The distinguishing elements there would be the street names and the police cars that are visible everywhere.
Yet, when kids debut at their local schools, they are often faced with negativity by “traditionally American” kids and, surprisingly, also by their own countrymen – who have been here long enough to consider themselves “American” – for not speaking English well or just for having a different sense of humor. Although this kind of attitude is experienced even by native kids, it generally has a more harsh impact on the psychology of a foreign child.
To prevent, or at least ease, the disappointment on the behalf of the children of immigrants, parents must take action right from the beginning. Speaking to kids everyday by asking specific questions about things happening at school will help a lot. Being open to communication makes your child less of a loner. Also, be present at all times! Going to school once a week to meet with the teachers or the counselor will build the student’s confidence. Even seniors who harass your kid will hesitate the next time.
As parents migrate physically, they should do so mentally as well. To strengthen the child’s presence in a foreign country goes through making them feel at home. It makes the children feel estranged and become more distant towards the actual environment if the parents’ nostalgic stories dominate the conversations. With the effect of the mother’s or father’s dissatisfaction, many youngsters in high-school age find refuge by hiding in their own communities. Thus, the longer the kid stays in America, the more he becomes foreign.
Finally, parents must encourage their children to learn the language very well by becoming a culture sponge themselves. Many parents are afraid that their kids will lose their cultural values if they become “too American.” Parents should set an example and becom proficient in the language so that the children can look up to them and follow their paths. The rest is a piece of cake!
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Learning English
June 22, 2006
English | Korean
Dear Korean Community,
It is with great honor that I am given this opportunity to communicate to you via a prominent publication in the NY-NJ area. Once a week, I will try to address some issues or provide some insight on topics that are of popular concern.
This week I want to itemize some dos and don’ts when learning English in our daily environment. Since perfecting one’s English language skills in the United States is in great demand, it is vital that parents as well as community leaders become aware of some pitfalls and some shortcuts when guiding their children and friends to reach a level of communicative proficiency or academic accomplishment. Let us talk a little about movies.
Watch movies – as many as possible! There are thousands of popular and maybe lesser known movies in the library or on basic cable TV that can give you a slice of real-life situations and conversations. Adults, stay away from watching cartoons all the time. Many of you just sit next to your kids and enjoy the great adventures of some lion or frog. But, as fun as they are, they will not teach you the real facial expressions or dramatic feelings of human beings as dramas. If you do not want obscene language or violence coming out of your screen, choose movies that are rated PG or PG-13. To restrict your kids from watching R-rated movies, ask your cable company or a friend how to set a password on the cable box.
Buy a magazine or subscribe to one! You don’t have to invest a lot to have magazines come to your house. They are even available at your local library. Don’t necessarily go with what is popular. The more interested you personally are in the topics you read, the more you will learn. After you become comfortable with reading a certain kind of magazine you can try others for variety and vocabulary enhancement.
Listen to music! No, not Mozart, Bach, Paganini, or Wagner! See what else you might like. Try different radio channels to discover different genres. Popular music is easy to learn and their lyrics usually reflect the language of an era.
Finally, enjoy learning! Don’t see it as a job, but rather as a life-long experience. And, the more you know, the more you will enjoy it.
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