Just like home for South Korean visitor
A SOUTH Korean teacher has been getting to grips with life in South Tyneside
as part of an exchange programme.
Hyon-Sook Kang has spent the last four weeks with staff and pupils at Marine Park Primary School, in South Shields.The school is taking part in a teacher exchange programme with Do Hwa Elementary School in Incheon, on the north-west coast of South Korea, with the key goal of swapping teaching ideas.During Ms Kang’s visit to the borough, she has experienced numerous opportunities to absorb local teaching methods and regional heritage.This included visiting South Shields Town Hall, where the Mayor of South Tyneside, Coun Ernest Gibson, and Coun John Anglin – who is the chairman of governors at Marine Park Primary School – took Ms Kang on a tour of the Edwardian building and talked about local history.
Ms Kang said: “I have found the cultural and teaching exchange with Marine Park Primary School a wonderful and great experience.
“It has given myself the opportunity to observe a different style of teaching that I can learn from and take back with me to Korea.
“I have found several elements very impressive during my stay, from how the teachers individualise their teaching relationship with the students through to the English pupils’ way of thinking, in particular, their direction, balance and approach to learning.”
She added: “I have been made to feel very welcome in South Tyneside with everyone being so helpful, and the beautiful scenery reminds me of being back home.
“I’m really looking forward to the next stage of the programme.”
Year 5 class teacher Christopher Mackley will now be visiting Ms Kang’s school later in the year.
Mr Mackley said: “The exchange will be a wonderful opportunity to see a very successful educational system, first hand, to learn new teaching styles and to meet with the students.
“Visiting the city of Incheon will enable me to sample a unique culture, and by visiting the famous landmarks it will provide a great deal of the content for my teaching programme when I return back to South Tyneside.”
