Something new offered this semester - the Dormitory English Clinic
Every GEO 14 student has to participate in the English Clinic activities for at least three times this semester. But they can be exempted from English clinic activities if they join the English writing contest or English speech contest. For the required English clinic hours, students can accomplish this by going to the GEO Global Lounge Mondays to Fridays from 1 to 9 in the evening and talking to English Clinic teaching assistants there. The problem however, is that some GEO students don’t have enough time to do English clinic during daytime. They are very busy with their classes, doing their homework with other classmates. So, sometimes it is hard for them to make an appointment for the regular English clinic. Good thing, there is another option available this semester – the Dormitory English Clinic. This is the answer for busy students who don’t have much time during the day.
Dormitory English clinic is a new way of doing English clinic. It is first introduced this semester. You can do English clinic conveniently – just in the confines of the dormitory. You don’t have to go down stairs to the GEO Global Lounge. Actually GEO Global Lounge is quite far from the dormitory. But the dormitory seminar room? Oh, you can reach the location in less than 30 seconds. And, dormitory English clinic is available at nighttime, which makes it easier for busy students like me.
Last November 9th, I went to the Global Lounge to make an appointment for the dormitory English clinic. Coincidentally, the 9:00pm dormitory English clinic FTA was Gerard. He is my roommate! I was excited. I quickly signed up for the dormitory English clinic. Although Gerard and I used the same room, we haven’t done English clinic together before. After eating dinner, I did my homework until 9:00 pm. Gerard and I went to the seminar room together. We met another GEO student who signed up for the dormitory English clinic. We don’t have a topic in mind, so we just discussed about crime, the topic given by Professor Stephen. We talked about crimes in the Philippines and South Korea and how each country dealt with crimes differently. It was quite interesting experience to talk about various crime and know more about how people with different culture respond to it, how individual opinions vary with respect to crimes. We were enjoying the discussion so much that we didn’t feel that the time has gone so fast. I really enjoyed this time. So like me, if you want to do dormitory English Clinic, just go to the Global Lounge and sign up for the dormitory English clinic. The schedule of dormitory English Clinic is 8pm – 10pm Monday to Friday. Many Foreign Teaching Assistant (FTA), my roommate Gerard included, will help you develop your English skills. So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and Have loads of fun! ❁◕‿◕❁
from GEO Class 3-7 (Prof. Roger Stephen and TA Gellene Custodio )
Jung Hun
Jung Hun (in photo) shared his dreams with TA Gerard
My English Clinic TA was Gerard. We talked about Dreams. Dreams mean “If you have enough money, and enough time, what do you want to do?” I told him about my dream. “My dream is to tour Europe. Start in England, and then go to Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy then Greece…” Then he said, “Why do you want to travel around Europe?” I answered, “I want to visit almost all the museums in Europe. In England, I want to go to the Great Britain Museum, and in Netherlands, to the Rijks Museum…” And I told him more about my plans for visiting museums in Europe.
And then I asked him, “How about you?” He told to me about his dream. He wants to travel to India and to other countries nearby, like Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand. He said “Those places are filled with mystery. I want to go there, and want to feel the nature.” After that, we talked about so many things about each other – About the future trip to the Moon, about Japanese characters, and so many other things. It was a fun experience for me. I was extremely satisfied that time.
Both TA Lia and Kim Yoo Ji (in photo) loves to travel
Kim Yoo Ji
I will introduce TA Lia. She is from the Philippines. She is pretty. Her character is very kind and she looks cool. We talked about our dream vacation. I told to her about my vacation when I travelled America. She said she loves travelling, too. So we talked about that easily. She wants to go to many countries, especially, Cambodia and in Southeast Asia. Lastly, she wants to travel with a camping car. It is not safe but it looks very attractive. I think she really loves going on trips.
Lee Jin Sol (in photo) and TA Kerwin talks about their major - Digital Media
Lee Jin Sol
My English clinic TA’s name is Kerwin. He is from Manila in the Philippines. His major is Cultual Contents in Digital Media. Our major is the same. I don’t have a specific major yet, only Digital Media because I’m a freshman. I want to take both Cultural Contents and Media Engineering in Digital Media. However, Kerwin wants to change his major from Cultural Contents to Media Engineering. He doesn’t want to study both of them. Because his major was Computer Engineering in the Philippines, he says Media Engineering is like Computer Engineering. He told me that C++ (that is Computer language like Java.) is very easy. I don’t think so… ^^ Ah, and he wants to be a computer programmer or work at an advertising company. I think he can achieve his dreams ^^
Ahn Taebong (in photo) is inspired by TA Alex's Korean speaking ability
Ahn Taebong
My English Clinic TA is Alex. He is a graduate school student and this semester is his last year in this school. His major is Digital Media. Before we met, he came from COEX because he participated in a job fair. So he looked very tired during the clinic. He wants to get a job in Korea, but I can’t remember exactly the job that he wants. Also he spoke Korean very well.
He talked about a lot of things such as the TOEIC, the Korean and Philippine education system and his future job. I was surprised that Filipinos can already go to the university at 17 years old. During the clinic, I talked about my future vision, learned more about foreigner’s thinking and also improve my English skill a little. So this chance was very useful to me.
Article written by: Jung Hun, Kim Yoo Ji, Lee Jin Sol and Ahn Taebong
from GEO Class 2-1 (Prof. Peter Jenkins and TA Tin Luna)
I thought that G.E.O was only composed of conversation lectures and so I was going to take the classes and do homework like what is usually done in an English Academy conversation program. But the G.E.O program was completely different. I feel like I am in a little college in America. I joined a club, experienced Halloween party culture firsthand. I think an important aspect of language acquisition is the English only environment which Korean students in G.E.O adheres to. Also in G.E.O Korean students meet foreign and Korean students alike. I met a lot of foreign students at the English Clinic and during the club activities. I also met Korean students in class, club, party, and in O.B.F cafe. I think friends are the most important asset for me. G.E.O is giving me these chances. That is why I love G.E.O.
by: Baek Ji Yeon and Jo Eun Jeong, GEO Class 2-2, Professor Jerry Tumlinson's class
The following paragraphs are some of the sentiments of GEO students during their English Clinic session with the Filipino Teaching Assistants (FTAs).
Hello! I'm Bae Gun Woo.
I met Drew who is an FTA on October 8. He is very kind. That was my first time to take English Clinic so I was embarrassed, but he made me feel calm and peaceful with his kind behavior. He also gave me good advice.
My problem was I have to study for mid-term exams and attend GEO program and prepare for acting performance at the same time, so I have no time to rest. I was too tired to do them all at the same time. He advised me to choose one thing - the most important thing. After thinking about it seriously, I decided that mid-term examination is the most important thing and I have to concentrate on it.
Thanks to Drew, I finally solved my problem.
I had my English Clinic session with another GEO male student. Drew also listened to his problem carefully and assisted him to solve his problem.
I appreciate Drew's advice and the English Clinic program.
At first I didn't know about English Clinic. I also didn't think it would be good for me. But after my English Clinic session, I changed my mind and think that the English Clinic really helpful to us, students!
Thank you Drew and GEO ! ^_^
(Photo in right column: Andrew talking to a GEO student)
Hi! It's Jiwon.
I'm going to write about my experience in English Clinic.
At the English clinic I met Andrew. He is handsome, but he is bald. So I asked why he shaved his hair. He said this hair style is convenient especially when he washes his hair. He showed me his picture when he still has long hair. I think that his hairstyle before was better than his hairstyle now. But he thinks comfort and convenience are the most important things and I agree with that opinion of his.
Another student joined our conversation. His major is Information and Communications and he joined the soccer club. He has been selected by a Nike sponsor. I think he plays soccer quite well. Just like me, he has an interest in photography. I like photography so much. We have a lot in common. Most of our conversation was about soccer and photography. I don't really enjoy soccer games, but talking with him about soccer is quite interesting. I think I have to go to watch soccer games someday. This English Clinic is really fun. I met new people. It was a nice experience and I want to do it again in the future.
(Photo above: Andrew again with another GEO student)
Hi! I'm Sim Yu-Jin.
I went to GEO Global Lounge last Thursday. I met a Filipino FTA, Karl. He is 26 years old. He has a girlfriend in the Philippines. I told him that I had a problem. I'll go to a national TAEKWONDO tournament in November, so I have to exercise and practice TAEKWONDO. Also I have to cut weight to get into the flyweight division. After listening to my problem, Karl was interested in TAEKWONDO. Karl told me that he saw a TAEKWONDO performance during club festival. He was worried about a man who got a hand injury during the performance. I was surprised Karl knew about the injured man. Honestly, Karl didn't give any advice to me, but I'm okay because when I told Karl about my problem, I already had a solution. And that solution is to focus on my goal and to enjoy the competition.
Another person who joined us during our English Clinic session also had a problem. Her major is French, but she is confused with French and English. Karl gave her advice.
I am worried about English Clinic because I couldn't speak English very well and I am worried about talking with a foreigner. But talking with Karl, made me comfortable.
It was a very interesting experience for me.
(Photo in right column: Karl in deep conversation with a GEO student)
by: Bae Gun Woo, Jiwon, Sim Yu-Jin respectively, from GEO Class 2-3, Professor David Lee's class
Related article: 'My English Clinic Experience' http://geocuk.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-english-clinic-experience.html
English Clinic Teaching Assistant, Keith, with one of the GEO Students
After a few days, we met another TA. The TA’s name was Roselle. She is a pretty girl. We really wanted to talk to her. She facilitated the conversation. She encouraged Se Hyun-woo and I to talk to each other. Because we are in the same major, Computer Programming, we already knew each other. But we took that opportunity to know more information about one another. After our session, we thanked Roselle for the opportunity to converse with her.
English Clinic Teaching Assistant, Roselle, with one of the GEO Students
Our English Clinic visits helps us hone our English speaking skills. I still have to attend two more English Clinic after the mid-term, I look forward to more great experiences during my next visits.
by: Kim Hwi Jung from Professor Jerry Tumlinson's class
