Hello. For joyful learning every day, I am Instructor Kim Tae-young from Haru Learning.
Former: Full-time Instructor for HSK Levels 4 and 5 at the Busan Seomyeon Confucius Academy Chinese Language Institute
Former: Interpreter at the Korea-China Game Industry Exchange Conference hosted by the Korea Game Industry Association and the Korea Copyright Commission
Former) Chinese Translator and Interpreter, COVID-19 Emergency Response Team, Pukyong National University
Former) Naver eXpert Expert, Ranked 2nd in Popularity in the Chinese Category
Currently operating Harubaeum Chinese Language Lab
Back when I was teaching at the academy, this was my schedule, filled with youthful vigor and passion. It was a great time, but since I didn't know how to take care of myself back then, I nearly collapsed from overwork during lectures on more than one occasion.
Whenever I felt a sudden wave of dizziness, I would lean against the blackboard, pretending to write. I did this partly so the students wouldn't worry, but also because I was deeply grateful to be able to teach. I told myself that since my classes were so well-loved, it was only natural to feel tired and exhausted, and so I just pushed through.
Here's a photo from a conversation class back then. In those classes, I focused heavily on speaking practice, and the students were so enthusiastic that after the very first session, they started bringing me drinks from the second day on. Their passion ignited my own even further. Our voices were so loud they echoed into the other classrooms, and we actually received complaints. But that just made me think, "Ah, I must be doing a really great job," which only fueled my passion for teaching even more.
The class involved watching dramas together, practicing speaking, and learning how to translate Chinese into Korean. I was so eager to teach this course that I offered it as a special weekend lecture free of charge, but to my surprise, it drew a huge crowd. We ran out of seats in the assigned classroom, so we had no choice but to bring in extra chairs to make room. There were some students sitting in the very back with just chairs and no desks, and I felt terrible for them. So I talked to the director and we moved to a larger classroom for the next session. Even after the move, we had to set up even more seats than before, but at least we could provide desks for everyone, which was a huge relief. It was such a fun class.
I remember how much strength I drew from my students' reviews while teaching. Those who studied with me from Conversation Class 1 all the way to HSK took the time to share their personal stories. Thanks to their heartfelt words, I never lost my sense of gratitude and always strove to deliver better lessons.
Currently, I work out of a small office where I create my own teaching materials, tutor students in Chinese, and teach the language by developing various courses.
"Get a job at a company and live a stable life.", I've also heard a lot of practical advice like this, but...
I want to do this. I must do this. So I will do it.
Writing by hand while envisioning what 'my own lecture' should be, filming my lectures and watching myself on screen, and then, after finishing a lecture, sitting in the quiet lab to savor a fleeting moment of solitude—I begin preparing for the next lecture, believing that I can deliver even better classes with improved materials, richer content, and greater overall quality.
I will not give up until the student achieves their desired level of Chinese proficiency.
If it is something the student needs to learn, I will be right there with them, repeating it again and again until they master it.
If a student is anxious about whether they can succeed, I will reassure them through both the process and the results.
Thank you.
