Fascinating Story from an American Teaching in Korea in Late 70's

I received this email from someone that is currently writing a book about his time in Korea. All I can say is that

I want to sit down with him and hear more stories!

Dear Jason:

I "fell into" English teaching back in 1974 in Seoul.   I was a broadcaster
at AFKN (Now AFN) from February, 1974 until June of '75.  I liked the place
so much, I got out of the Army, bought a one-way ticket back (with a tourist
visa) and picked up on my old contact right away.

I did not go to college. (Unless you count Defense Information School, where
I earned broadcasting and journalism titles or my Nuclear Instructor and
Classroom Subject Developer Certificate) Instead, I stumbled across a
Hoq-wahn in Namdaemun and ended up jumping straight into the job.  A
sidewalk loudspeaker was playing my own voice, reading a two-month old
newscast, recorded off of AFKN.

Inside, a hard working student was trying to transcribe my own words to make
class room material.  When I announced who I was, the place went wild.

The upshot was, I ended up teaching for almost 5 more years on my tourist
visa.  Seoul AFKN English Institute had me transcribe movie dialogues for
$300 a pop. (I can transcribe almost as fast as a person speaks in clear,
printed longhand)  Movies took 3-4 hours each.  I also transcribed the TV
show "One Day At A Time".  It was a daily, 30-minute comedy that ran on
AFKN.  I was paid $15 an hour (3X hog-wahn rate) for the hour a day it took
for me to transcribe, then tell him what the grunts and snickers actually
meant to a native speaker.  His classes filled.

About this time I had three lucky breaks.

First, I was given a $35/ hr advanced English Conversation class at Sam-Sung
Mulsan Corp.. It was in the Dong Bahng building @ 7-8a.m.

Second, I invented a unique, chalk talk style of teaching that
revolutuionized the concept.  It was not so much of an English Conversation
class, but an "Accent Removal'' EXERCISE.

You see, Jason, as a person who "read the News" I can stand up in front of a
crowd and deliver.  As a broadcaster, I also did the weather. (That is,
stood at a chalk-board map of Korea and drew in the meteorology.)  Also, I'm
a graphic artist.  They used me at AFKN to draw up story boards for our
live, Black and white performances. Then there is my current part-time
Instructor Position at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Third, I recalled a movie about Helen Keller.  When this genius was taught
to speak by placing her hand over her teacher's and learning to form the
necessary sounds, a light bulb went on.  I developed a kind of symbolism
that looked like Ancient Aztec "Glyphs" for the students to follow with the
harder-to-pronounce parts of our language. (See the attachment)

The movie made me realize something.  Koreans move their mouths very little
when speaking Korean. Their language uses tone, we use accent.  I had to
wrestle countless time with students to get them to show their teeth.  Some
of the ladies of my Korea Airlines account, had to actually hold their hands
in modesty over their mouths in my class.

"Mr. Don!  My mouth hurts from speaking English!"  I heard that line over
and over but I knew I was winning the battle.

My "Glyphs" consisted of a single-line contour of a human head, showing the
nose, the teeth of the upper jaw, roof of the mouth, tongue, teeth and lower
jaw.  With this tool, I found I could get rid of those pesky habits of "Sis"
instead of "This" and "Rub" instead of "Love.  I developed a glyph for all
sounds that are difficult for Koreans to make.  They copied it in their
notebooks and I prospered.

For the "V" in love, I'd draw a glyph, show them how to curl the lower lip
under the front, upper teeth and gently hold it there.  After the "LLLLLL".
Pop the lower lip foreword and say "Love"!  To see 140 students at Korea
Explosives have it "dawn on them" was extremely satisfying.  I felt honored.
I also liked their $30 an hour... a month in advance.

Then came the final revaluation.  It was in two parts.

See, I taught very advanced business students, airline stewardesses and
doctors.
They could, with help, speak each word properly.  But it sounded artificial,
computer generated.  I taught them to SPEAK like an American.

First, notice how we jam our words together.  (Must be the German in us.)
See how I've written "How are you today?"  Spoken, it comes out "Hower YEW
today?  I'd exercise them with "YEWt'day, YEWt'day, YEWt'day." until they
got it.

Second. I came up with a method to show accent throughout a written (read
aloud) sentence.  On my attachment, you can see the line running through the
normally presented sentence.  I'd have them saying, "HOW are YOU today?" in
no time.  It is hard to put into print.  But once you see the value of that
little line, they can take all their workbooks and add this helpful device
with fantastic results.

At the end, I actually taught mostly private students and companies.
Sam-Sung, KoreaExplosives and Ewah University (just to keep my
hand in a classroomsetting) were among them.  In my day, a university
campus could become a battle ground.

If  I found a student was going to visit, South Carolina, for instance, I'd
actually teach them a "Southern Drawl".  Being born in New York City,
raised in Kentucky and well traveled, I was able to duplicate almost any
(even Canadian) accent.

Having "performed" on camera since I was 16, (Dad owned an early Cable
channel TV Station in the early 70's.  I had an "American Bandstand" style
show.) this came naturally to me.  I mean, who can't fake a British accent?
It might sound silly but it WORKS!  To have them realize the almost unfair
fact that if you are doing business with an American Firm and your English
is not up to snuff, they are viewed as "less intelligent".  It's just human
nature. So I tailored their accent to the customers they'd meet.

Now and again, I made $300 per book to place my "accent lines" in their
"English 900" texts.  Mostly they did it themselves as class rolled along.

And roll along it did.  I was making $4500 a month in a place where my
grass-roofed traditional house on Mountain #6 in Ohyadong (near Seongnam-Si)
cost $16 a month, including the woman and breakfast in the morning.  I
married her, kept bouncing "kata-wata" between Korea and Japan and generally
had a grand time.

Then President Park Chung Hee was killed.

When Chun Do-Hwan took over, the rioting got so bad I couldn't even get to
work.  A couple of my private students were government officials.  Some went
to jail.  Others disappeared.

In mid-May 1980, we fled south, trying to get to Wando Island, near Mokpo in
South Cholla Province by train.  The train pulled in to Kwangju station the
night of May 17th, 1980.  We took a inn for the night, two blocks from
Kwangju's Provincial hall.  The next day we were smack-dab in the middle of
"The Kwangju Massacre".

We literally walked out of Cholla province, at one point being smuggled past
the military check points, in a pig crate, covered in Korean radishes, by a
kindly farmer.  We hitch-hiked back home, robbed at gun point, beat up and
stunned by what we had seen. Still I wanted to stay.

Making it back to Seoul, I taught English when the rioting would permit
until October 1980.  A massive riot at Namdaemun Gate saw me trapped and
trying to get home from my Sam-Sung class on my Honda 350. (I'd smuggled the
entire thing into Korea in parts from Japan in my knapsack.) Someone got a
picture of me struggling to ride through a cloud of CS gas.  Another got a
shot of me leaving a certain Transportation Minister's home after his class.
They came and "collected" me and my wife on October 6th.

Her, they let go.  Me they threw me into Suwon Prison.  I had seen too much,
known too much.  Gen. Chun's Korea was under martial law.  They did not need
any witnesses.

Having managed to sneak out a letter, written on a sheet of toilet paper,
hidden in a fellow inmate's blanket hem, to my Dad (The Kentucky
Governor's photographer) I was merely held one day pastmy visa
expiration date and deported with two years probation.  That was the
day before John Lennon was killed, December 8th, 1980.

My wife and I divorced back in '86.  (She's now yelling at someone else.)
But I have often thought of returning to Korea, just to SEE.  I could walk
into Sam Sung, mention a few names and maybe get to teach a few classes just
for old time's sake.  I left Korea for less than a year in 75 and was
stunned by thechange when I returned.  I cannot imagine what it would be
like now.

I chose to live in 1925 conditions.  Grass roof, ice-water hand pump, heated
floor and "Miss Oriental July" to keep me warm.  I could have lived
"Western" if I wanted to but that was not the show I'd come to see.

With a race bike (While everyone else rode KIA-Honda 50 & 90cc Auto-bikes),
my commute was about 20 minutes to Ietaewon, then zip through the Namsan
Tunnel and there was Namdaemun.  I did it in minus-18 degree conditions a
time or two.  Brrrrr!

In short, I would not have traded my time as a teacher for anything.  I work
at a nuclear plant now.  Sometimes I teach the particulars of reactor repair
to mechanics, sometimes I illustrate the exploded-views necessary to show
them the way, other times I turn wrenches with them.  But they all stop and
listen whenever I talk about Korea.

I just finished a book on my adventures.  It took 5 years to write. I have
over 100 photographs to go with it.

So what do you think, Jason?  Does anybody still teach "outside of the
system" like I did?  Is it still possible to just walk in a start teaching?

Sincerely,

Don S.

Group Picture

From bottom left clockwise.

Melissa, Dave Luth, Kate, Annie, Brant Sr., Jason, Brant Jr.

This pic was taken at our Mudfest trip when we had dinner on Saturday night.

Jennifer McMaster's Intro Video

Here is a video that one of our former teachers and current MVP staff members made about her experience working in Korea and working with ASK Now:

Noraebang Medley Amazing Scavenger Hunt Race 2009

Here is a medley of performances at the 2009 ASK Now-ETO Amazing Scanvenger Hunt Race. As part of the event, teams had to sing a song at a Noraebang (singing room) and the score that they receive at the end of the song was added to their point total.

Overall, it was a great day and the teams did a great job of entertaining us!

Visit ASK Now for more about teaching in Korea

Very Funny Experience from one of our Teachers

Hello Jason,

I'm fine, thank you!  How are you?  I'm trying to teach my students other words besides "fine" such as, good, great, ok, fantastic, so-so, doing well, fabulous, not good, terrible, terrific.............ANYTHING besides "fine".   "I'm fine, thank you" seems to be hard wired into their brains.  However,  I was able to teach one student to respond with " I'm absolutely fabulous!"

I didn't go site-seeing very much in the winter, so I don't have that many pictures. I do have some interesting stories though..........

For example, in my early experiments with soju back in January, I met with some friends and had one bottle too many, but felt ok. So, rode the subway (made it just fine), then rode the bus, and missed my stop by a couple. I went ahead and got off the bus, and thought I would just walk the rest of the way home.  During my walk is when the soju really hit me and I fell down in the snow a couple of times, then I passed a place with a big, fancy, and bright neon sign. It looked magical because, as you know, there are not very many big bright neon signs in Seoul. Anyway, it looked like a bar, so for some reason I thought if I stopped and had a beer it might sober me up. I have no idea why I thought having a beer would sober me up.

Well, I went into the place at about 12:30 am and didn't see a bar just a desk and a hallway. But there were many beer signs and bottles of alcohol. So, I asked for a beer and they laughed at me, but I didn't understand why they were laughing. They finally agreed to give me a beer and took me to a room with a large sectional sofa, a big table, a giant tv, and a giant remote control!  I remember thinking "how cool my own private tv and sofa to sit and drink my one beer." I also remember playing with the remote and asking if they had The History Channel.......unfortunately they didn't. Then they asked if I wanted a girl to keep me company........I thought "sure, why not?"  Then they asked if I wanted two......again I thought "sure, why not?".

After that I had a few more beers  and only remember bit's and pieces, like talking away to the girls as if they understood everything I was saying, and then stumbling around town trying to find my way home. The last thing I remember was seeing the sunrise as I finally found my apartment. The next morning I woke up on the floor in the kitchen with a receipt for 175,000 Won and a headache.  As you may have guessed by now, the place wasn't a bar. It was a singing room.  I didn't even know singing room places existed.

Anyway, I learned two lessons:

1. Don't drink more than 3 full bottles of soju.
2. If you do drink more than 3 bottles of soju, don't explore new places without a guide.

Jason W.

ROK Talk Episode 3

Episode 3...We have a Name! from Jason Cresswell on Vimeo.

Our name has been decided!



In this episode, bad blooded dual citizens live in Hanok with women who can't drive. Or something like that.

www.asknow.ca

Paintball April 25

info coming soon to events page. went today to scout. looks fun!

Flash Mob In Daegu

Here is a fun video of a flash mob in downtown Daegu. The foreigners in that city know how to have a party! Promoting a new magazine about Daegu as well. Check it out.



Teach in Korea

Short Skirts, Bribery, Crazy Canadians and Good Burgers

Episode 2 of the show is up!


Beta Version Episode 2 March 20 2009 from Jason Cresswell on Vimeo.

Update from Melissa in Gangneung

Here is the latest installment from our guest blogger and ASK Now rep Melissa Steach currently in Gangneung.  Enjoy!

I went skydiving for the first time last year. It was a Friday morning in California and like most every day it was a great day to be outdoors. For years I'd listened as others talked about jumping and said, oh hell no -- not me. But this morning was different. I had the day off, it was lovely and what the hell else had I to do but... jump. I made no phone calls to boast my plans. Instead I turned off my cell phone and drove. As the plane climbed to the required height so did my confidence. Sensing that all I had was the big German whose lap I was now strapped to and the slim but real possibility that this jump could be my first and our last, I relaxed. It was then that I understood how when facing great fear a person can shit their pants: When your mind accepts the plain fact that in this moment you have absolutely no control, the body lets go as well. Kneeling down beside the gaping door of the tiny shuttle I looked at the miniature land below, said a prayer and fell into air. As instructed, my body bent backwards spooning the German and like flying squirrels we screamed, squealed and laughed for what felt like a lifetime of free fall. With my tug, our chute opened silently. Our speed slowed without aggravation. I gasped. My god it's beautiful were the only words I uttered the entire way down. Spring has broken from Winter's ground. My daily hikes have replaced my morning yoga. It seems that people aren't the only life forces I'm interested in meeting these days. On Monday I met a lovely tree named Magnolia. Tuesday I spied a bunch of shy violets. By Wednesday I'd run into some flirty yellow buds and on Thursday I made the acquaintance of a Maltese named Boris. He in turn introduced me to his caretaker Sally, a young woman from California. We hit it off immediately and made plans for me to join she and her friends for some home-cooked Indian cuisine and knitting. Upon learning that I grew up in Alabama -- Sally pronounced that I will meet her expat friend from Montgomery and so it unfolds... By Saturday I was off to Seoul. The city was aflutter. Like bees to honey the boys buzzed and the girls dripped. My five months of feeling sexually invisible instantly combusted. Women of every ethnicity strutted down the streets of Itaewon and I joined in the parade. Dinner was followed by dancing with friends and the young morning found us all at a Reggae club. Though a sudden rain had set in, no dimmed spirits were witnessed. We winded and grinded and all out stirred it up. Evidence of our joy marked by a cycle of condensation and sweat on the club windows. The owner / bartender was an unusually tall, but typically friendly Korean. The Filipino waitresses were a cocktail of bubbly personality, shiny eyes, hair and teeth. The establishment wife was an undeniably delightful drunk. The Africans were obviously so, yet distinctly Korean, switching languages as easily as they swayed to Bob. After no more than a few hours sleep at the jjimjilbang, I awoke tired but relaxed. I was eager to discover what Sunday's jump would show me. My second free fall was tandem with a friend I'd made when last in Seoul. He treated me to his favorite restaurant and introduced me to one of the city's walking river paths. Sitting along the bank, I listened as my new friend shared with me, I watched children playing in the spray that drifted from the fountain. I could feel the setting sun blow warm against my skin, it's breath setting in motion the relaxing of my muscles like an expertly crafted line of dominoes. Reminded of the fifteen minutes I'd spent in awe and silence when it seemed I could touch the earth's curve -- My god it's beautiful were the only words I uttered the entire way down. Melissa Steach www.asknow.ca/melissa

They're looking for my ride...

...but I'm on da bus!

South Korea to Host 2022 World Cup?

It's way too early to tell what the results will be, but South Korea is bidding on the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosting.  I will say that the 2002 tournament was one of the funnest times I've had in this country. Renting a car and traveling around with my good friend Dave and his dad Mario was a highlight.  We went to several games and toured around the whole country for the month. 

So, if Korea wins the bid for 2022, it could be a 20 year anniversary for us!  Anyone up for a roadie?

Jason

www.asknow.ca

Win an Ipod by Naming our Show

Hello!

We are starting a weekly show where we will review what's happening in the news in Korea as well as upcoming events etc...It will be pretty raw and perhaps even offensive at times. We have modeled it after the DiggNation format. Anyhow...we are holding a contest for a name. The winner will get a free Ipod. Please have a look and email your suggestion to noname at asknow.ca

This is our "Beta Version" of the show, so look for an improvement in quality and content as we move along. Enjoy!

Jason
www.asknow.ca


Beta Version Korea Talk Show from Jason Cresswell on Vimeo.

Cute Korean Video

Here's a cute video I came across while checking out Vimeo, a replacement for Youtube that might allow us to post longer videos...yes, we have some stuff brewing. Anyhow...enjoy this one.


Korea from Stina Johansson on Vimeo.

Teach in Korea with us!

Soju Video

Nice work by this crew to do this video. Soju boy..drank dat!



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