From July 29 to August 9, the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto, in collaboration with the Korean Education Affairs Section (formerly the Korea Education Center) at the Korean Consulate General, hosted a Korean Language Summer Camp for high school students. This two-week immersive experience ran daily from 9am to 4pm, offering a unique blend of language learning and cultural exploration.
The camp was particularly special this year as it featured three Teaching Assistants (TAs) from our very own EAS 310 and EAS 410 courses. These students, one for each level—Level 1, Level 2, and Intermediate—played a pivotal role in guiding the high school participants through one-hour tutorial sessions. Their involvement not only enriched the camp experience but also provided them with invaluable teaching experience.
A Well-Rounded Curriculum
The camp’s curriculum was designed to offer a comprehensive introduction to the Korean language and culture. With some fun-filled days dedicated to Korean language classes, where students engaged with the basics of the language, building their vocabulary and understanding of grammar. The TAs then led tutorial sessions, offering personalized guidance and reinforcing the lessons learned in class.
Korean culture lessons are also part of the camp's cirriculum, where students had the chance to explore various aspects of Korean life, from traditional customs to contemporary practices. These sessions allowed students to appreciate the language in the context of the culture it belongs to, providing a holistic learning experience.
Reflections from the Teaching Assistants
The Teaching Assistants found their roles in the camp to be both enjoyable and fulfilling. This collaboration provided them with a valuable opportunity to connect with high school students, share their knowledge and passion for the Korean language and culture. They appreciated the chance to interact with the students, observing their enthusiasm and progress throughout the camp.
Ying (Maria) Yu found her time as a TA to be an eye-opening experience that influenced her future career aspirations. Her involvement in the camp helped her realize her passion for teaching and has inspired her to consider applying for a master’s program in education. “Through my TA experience, I acquired several new skills: enhanced communication, classroom management, and problem-solving,” Maria explained. Reflecting on her time at the camp, she shared, “The most rewarding moment during my time as a TA was during the closing ceremony when the students told me, ‘You are the best.’”
Adiba Hossenbux found the TA experience to be transformative, helping her grow both personally and professionally. She shared, “I have a soft voice and am pretty timid, so this experience has definitely brought out some confidence.” Adiba also highlighted the patience and compassion she developed for language learners, including herself, and noted, “Better accuracy of the language meant I could provide better assistance to the students. It also made it more convenient to converse with the Korean cultural instructors and have more meaningful conversations.”
Princess Owusu, a former camp participant herself, found the experience particularly meaningful: “I was worried that maybe students would be bored or were not enjoying our activity time together, but, in a lot of their letters they mentioned how much they loved the games and expressed their appreciation for us as teachers. It was very touching to know that I could make a lasting impact on their lives and their Korean learning journey.” Princess also drew inspiration from her own EAS Korean language courses, noting how they helped her understand how language courses are run and inspired her teaching style. “Taking the EAS Korean language courses helped me understand the material and the different grammar and linguistic features of the language. I tried to imitate my teachers in the way I taught because I found their teaching style helpful and wanted to emulate that,” she explained. The camp experience has led Princess to consider language education as a potential career path, giving her a glimpse into the joys and challenges of teaching.
Looking Ahead
The success of this year’s Korean Language Summer Camp speaks to the dedication of everyone involved—faculty, TAs, and the Korean Education Affairs Section. The Department of East Asian Studies looks forward to continuing this tradition, offering more opportunities for students to explore Korean language and culture in depth.
