Article Title

Teaching English to North Korean Refugees at Banseok School in South Korea: An Interview with Amanda DeCesaro

Authors

Alzo David-West, Aichi Prefectural University
Amanda DeCesaro, Chongshin University

Keywords

classroom interaction, EFL, hierarchies, North Korean students, South Korea

Abstract

This interview addresses teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) to young-adult North Korean refugees at Banseok School (Pansŏk Hakkyo) in Seoul. A Christian institution supported by Sarang Church (Sarang ŭi Kyohoe), the school offers education, mentorship, and volunteer services in preparation for university admission in South Korea and for the anticipated reunification of the two Koreas. Amanda DeCesaro discusses her volunteer conversation class and methods, student learning needs and social hierarchies, emotions in the language classroom, attitudes toward English, interactions with other learners, and how educators should knowledgeably and compassionately engage North Korean refugee students. The interview was conducted electronically by Alzo David-West.

Recommended Citation

David-West, Alzo and DeCesaro, Amanda (2016) "Teaching English to North Korean Refugees at Banseok School in South Korea: An Interview with Amanda DeCesaro," International Journal of Christianity and English Language Teaching: Vol. 3, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.biola.edu/ijc-elt/vol3/iss1/6