With all these fantastic addition to the GEO family, we decided to feature the GEO Professors in this article series entitled “Up Close and Personal”. This article series aims to give readers a glimpse about educators working for the GEO program. We asked a series of questions to our professors to get to know them a little bit better. Read on and be more acquainted with GEO’s Professor Stephen Jones.
Professor Stephen Jones smiles for the camera
1. Where is your hometown?
I am from Manchester, in the United Kingdom. The city is located North West of England.
2. How long have you been in Korea?
I have been in Korea for over five years.
3. What subject do you teach here at Catholic University of Korea (CUK)?
I teach PCE (Practical Conversational English) and the GEO (Global English Outreach) classes here at CUK.
4. What is your impression of CUK and it’s vision of becoming an international hub?
I am very excited to be working here at CUK. The staff, faculty, teaching assistants (TAs) and students I have met so far seem very nice. I believe CUK and particularly the courses I am involved in are making the right steps towards internationalizing education here at the university.
5.What are your likes and dislikes?
Professor Stephen along with TA Gellene and students from Class 3-7
As most of my students already know, I love soccer and particularly Manchester United. I also enjoy the adventure that living in Korea has proved to be. In my spare time I enjoy reading and watching movies, and during longer breaks I love to travel.
Dislikes, would have to include Manchester City (reference to my love for Manchester United), bbun deh gi (they really do not taste nice), and rude people.
6. What keeps you busy during your spare time?
So far I have been very busy since moving to the university. However, when I have spare time, I enjoy reading, playing soccer, and exploring the area around CUK.
7. What do you like most about Korea?
I like how due to the huge culture shock I sometimes experienced since moving here some 5 years ago, I feel I have adapted and developed a lot in Korea and as a result Korea now feels like home to me. Therefore, I like too many things to single out any one as you might expect when you ask someone to explain what they like most from their home country.
8. What is your favorite Korean dish or culinary delight?
Bun dae gi!! The beetles were the first thing my ‘friends’ made me try when I arrived in Korea. Seriously though, I didn’t like them. Hehe ^_~
I have so many favorite foods, especially gogi, gogi, gogi (meat)! Though, if I had to choose one meal, it would have to be ggongchi kimchi jo rim.
9. What are your expectations from GEO, GEO students, co-faculty?
I expect to gain some great experience working for GEO. I feel I am already doing so, having met some wonderful co-workers, and the polite hard working students and TA’s here. I know I can make the most of my time here, with the help of the faculty and the students themselves we can make a difference to GEO, CUK, and to ourselves too.
10. For you, a good student is someone who…?
Professor Stephen with TA Ezzy and students from Class 3-8
For me, a good student doesn’t have to be the most intelligent or the one who always has the right answer. I believe learning is an ongoing process and those who I see become the best students, in my eyes, are the ones who are never late, always complete work on time, and are willing to make mistakes that they can then learn from.
11. What are the things you want to impart to readers (Anything you’d like to share about yourself, your life as a student, your life as a teacher, living in your home country, living in Korea, difference of your home country and Korea, etc)?
With the blessing of hindsight we all evaluate our paths in life. I do not regret anything I have done, achieved, or experienced since my student days, during my professional and travelling life. One message I do feel strongly about, is that we should make the most of the time we have in any moment. For as much as I loved my student days, they will be over so quickly for many of the students and another period of their lives will begin. Make the most of your studies, and the opportunities to try new things or old things you always wanted to do.
12. Message to students
There is no time like the present, so keep reading the blog and practising your English, and P.S. don’t forget your homework
By: Abigail Go, GEO Blog Editor
