YANG JAEOK Tutor Interview

Q. Hi, YANG JAEOK! Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. May we ask you to briefly introduce yourself?: A. Nice to meet you. My name is YANG JAEOK (양재옥 梁財玉). I used to study in Japan, where I obtained a master’s degree in Japanese literature, and I used these skills to work as a translator and interpreter, as well as to teach Korean on Cafetalk. I have been working with the Japanese language for over 20 years. I am also taking a Korean language teacher training course at Yonsei University to teach Korean more seriously.
Q. Please tell us more about your hometown and the area where you currently reside.: A. I was born and raised in Wando (완도), Jeollanam-do (전라남도), but I now live in Sillim-dong (신림동), Gwanak-gu (관악구), Seoul. Wando is an island in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula, and the sea is so beautiful that the surrounding sea is designated as Dadohae Marine National Park. Seafood such as laver and abalone are very famous, and this region produces the largest amount of abalone in South Korea. Also, around the station in Sillim-dong is one of the most bustling areas in Seoul, and it has the atmosphere of a downtown area with quiet residential areas. Transportation is convenient with buses and subways running through the region, and there are many delicious restaurants amongst other shops, so it is a nice city to live in. I have lived here for over 14 years.
Q. What motivated you to become a tutor on Cafetalk?: A. I heard from a Japanese friend that they were studying Korean on Cafetalk, which sparked my interest in this platform. Around the same time, my job decreased drastically due to the pandemic, which gave me the opportunity to start teaching. I had taught Korean when I lived in Japan, and I had also been teaching Japanese for a long time, so I think I was able to start without much hesitation. I also enjoy communicating with Japanese people.
Q. What are you usually up to when you're not teaching on Cafetalk? What are your hobbies and interests?: A. I enjoy watching movies. There’s a movie theater near where I live, so I sometimes go there. My interest lies in Japanese culture. I'm thoroughly interested and want to know more about it. I'm also interested in Japanese history, and I used to read a lot of books by Ryotaro Shiba. Nowadays, I watch Japanese news through YouTube, and I often watch videos related to current affairs and Japanese culture. It also helps me study Japanese and to not forget it. I also like alcohol beverages.
Q. A lot of students are probably curious about the atmosphere in your lessons. What can a student imagine a lesson with you to be like? What’s your teaching style?: A. As also mentioned in the feedback I received from my students, my lessons are centered around being kind and sincere. Since my lessons are about studying Korean, I think it’s most important to explain things in an easy-to-understand way so that students can fully understand. I use all the Japanese knowledge I have to explain things in an easy-to-understand manner, down to the smallest nuances. Also, Korean pronunciation can be difficult, so if you ask me to correct your pronunciation, I will correct it thoroughly and in detail.
Q. Which lessons would you recommend to your students?: A. Korean idioms and idiomatic expressions often have unique nuances, and there are many expressions that are difficult to understand without an explanation from a native speaker. I highly recommend my lessons on Korean idiom and idiomatic expressions because they can help you prepare for exams and are often used in everyday conversations and in dramas. In addition, rhetorical expressions are unique to Korean and are commonly used in everyday conversations, so I definitely want you to remember them. My “できる韓国語 (Dekiru Kankoku-go)” lessons also involve detailed explanations on pronunciation, grammar, and nuances of words, as well as interesting explanations of Korean culture. I also recommend my lessons where you can practice your listening skills to understand Korean by studying videos from “Chibi Maruko-chan.”
Q. Finally, would you like to leave a message for your current and future students?: A. I believe that studying a new language can be a long road, but when I see so many people working hard through social media platforms including X, I feel amazed by them and I feel a sense of respect to all of them. If you steadily continue to practice like this, you will definitely get better, so I want you to do your best! If I may add one more thing, I think it’s really important to find “your own way of studying.”

Thank you so much for reading to the end.