"Studying Feels Fun Like Playing with a Native Teacher"

Seongdong Global Experience Center Native Instructors Conduct 'Visiting Global Experience Classes' at Elementary Schools...Providing Global Experience Opportunities to 4th Graders at 12 Elementary Schools

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) Seongdong Global Experience Center is operating the elementary school student experience program, which was previously conducted by visiting the center, as a ‘Visiting Global Experience Class’ where native speakers directly visit schools due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

The Seongdong Global Experience Center, operating in two locations in Geumho-dong and Seongsu-dong, has been running a three-day experience program for all 4th-grade elementary students in the area, where they meet native speakers and explore the diversity of American culture and nature.

After the COVID-19 situation made it difficult for students to visit the center smoothly, native speakers began conducting face-to-face programs by visiting schools directly.

In July, the Geumho Global Experience Center first started classes at Yongdap Elementary School. The program, which was previously focused on group activities and collaboration, was reorganized into an individual activity-centered class program emphasizing social distancing and interactive experiences with native teachers. The classes include stories about American history and explorers, understanding the local community through projects such as nature and hot spring art projects, and creating one’s own city. The center plans to visit eight elementary schools by December.

Since the 21st of last month, the Seongsu Global Experience Center also began classes for 10 classes across four elementary schools, including Seongsu Elementary School. Instead of close-contact classes like drama lessons and sports competitions previously conducted, a new program applying educational computer games was developed to allow native teachers and students to freely communicate, solve problems, and have a global experience.

Choi, a 4th-grade student at Seongsu Elementary School, said, “These days, classes are mostly online, so they were boring and not fun, but having native teachers come to school to play games and study like playing is very exciting, and speaking English has become much easier.”

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “In a situation where many things are changing due to the COVID-19 crisis, the continuous efforts of the Seongdong Global Experience Center are expected to play an important role in providing students with global experience opportunities and improving creative problem-solving skills.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.