Finally my first semester in the U.S. have been almost finished. However, my interest of diversity is just beginning. I was growing up surrouned by only Korean but now I live with diverse races in the U.S. At first time it was very new and amazing environment to me. I was born to parents who speak only Korean, so naturally I grew in the environment that only speaks Korean. All of my family is also Korean so there was no mixed blood.
Of course people who live in other countries would be surprised by the fact that all my family has come from only single-race. However, my family history is not unique in Korea. Most Koreans have only Korean ancestors. Actually, Korea has been considered a single-race nation. Therefore, the diversity of the different races was the first my “border” to cross in the U.S.
Of course people who live in other countries would be surprised by the fact that all my family has come from only single-race. However, my family history is not unique in Korea. Most Koreans have only Korean ancestors. Actually, Korea has been considered a single-race nation. Therefore, the diversity of the different races was the first my “border” to cross in the U.S.
At UNCC, I registered three classes and the one of them was the ENGL 1101. I can tell surely this class was a miniature of the U.S. because I was able to meet a lot of student who had different nationality in this small class. At first time, it was so unusual to me who came from Korea. However, as times went by, those diversity I met in the classroom had a huge influence on me outside the class and opened my eyes to embrace variability in the U.S.
I used to be so stuck with fear of meeting multiple races but ENGL 1101 class taught me diversity was not what I had to be terrified but priceless present to me. Thoroughout this course, I have been able to experience their culture, learn their value, and discuss the worldwide news. They have also told me of their education system I am really interested in. The divierse friends in the course are valuable gifts for me to become to be greater person. In the midst of the diversity, there is English as a lingua franca.
This course gave me awareness that if I have a great understading of English, then I can access enormous sources of information. English have made me have a communication with diverse friends without language barriers, read English books without translators, and learn the ENGL1101 from an Indian professor, Debarati Dutta. English made it possible.
Before I came to the U.S, American English had been the best language I have to learn if I want to have a command of Standard English. However, it was a totally wrong idea. English has been indeed not for only native English speakers but for world people regardless their own nationality.
At this point, an English accent no longer standardized. There is no evidence to decide which one is standard accent because English, to an extent extend, is an international language. Most second language learners generally have their own accent because of their first language and also I used to be shy about accent.
However, now I am different. Amy Tan, Fan shen, Jhumpa Lahiri, Sherman Alexie, Modera's narratives I have read in the class gave a chance to explore new aspects and reflect my self. I became to be proud of my accent since I have realized that an accent is a precious part that indicates my great home country. If I can deliver what I want to say, that is all that matters. I was aware that accent cannot be the main criterion to jugde quality of English.
My dream is to be an English teacher in Korea. American life as well as the ENGL 1101 class has taught me why I should learn and teach English and it has made me passionate about achieving my dream. I would like to teach students of the diversity and broadness of the world I learned in this course.