thedrifter
05-10-03, 08:54 AM
English for Tae Kwon
Do: A Fair Trade
By U.S. Army Pfc. Christina Carde
11th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – In a joint task force environment, American soldiers have the benefit of working side by side with armed forces from other countries. This benefit becomes even more rewarding when each force can bring a different learning experience to the table.
The Korean and American forces here have found a way to not only work together but to benefit from each other’s knowledge. As the Korean soldiers work on the Americans’ endurance and physical fitness through tae kwon do training, the U.S. soldiers stimulate their Korean instructors’ minds with the fundamentals of the English language.
“We hold tae kwon do classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 to 7 a.m. at the old Viper City dining facility for American and all other forces who want to learn,” said 1st Lt. JaeNeung Lee, a platoon leader with an Infantry platoon in the Korean Marine Corps. “In return, our American students hold English classes for us here (the Korean clinic) and at our engineer compound throughout the week. It’s a working relationship.”
“At first the Korean soldiers were shy and a little apprehensive, but now they are very open and willing to learn English,” said Capt. Monica Sneed, an English class instructor, Detachment A, 126th Finance Battalion, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C. “We have beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with about 10 students from the clinic and 24 students from the engineer’s compound in each class. It’s a good turnout and they always do their homework.”
Even though difficulties as well as rewards come with both the tae kwon do and English classes, the Korean instructors think their American counterparts get the better end of the deal.
“When we began the classes in March, we issued all of our American students free karate uniforms which usually cost about $30 each,” Lee said. “We also have about 10 instructors for our beginner and advanced classes four of which are 4th degree black belts.”
In addition to the new uniforms and skilled instructors, the American students have the easier of the two learning experiences, according to Lee.
“In tae kwon do, it takes about three years of constant training to earn a black belt,” said Lee. “Many of us have been studying English for over 10 years and still can’t get the hang of it.
However, it’s still important for us to learn so we can communicate with the U.S. forces better both here and in our own country.”
Tae kwon do and English may offer challenges on different levels, but there are also similarities.
“Whether it’s an English word or a karate move, you must practice each over and over again until you become proficient,” Lee said. “I believe the Korean and American soldiers alike are both eager to learn from each other and they are very determined.”
Along with learning a new skill, the American and Korean soldiers are learning something new about each other’s culture.
“Learning English and tae kwon do are important each in their own way, but we have learned a lot more than that from each other,” said Lee. “Along with the discipline and patience our students learn in tae kwon do class, they also now have a deeper respect and insight into our culture. In the same way, the more English we learn and the more we interact with the U.S. forces, the better outlook we have on the world.”
The Korean tae kwon do instructors now hope to take their skill to new levels.
“We want coalition forces from all over Bagram to attend our tae kwon do classes,” said Lee. “We are very happy for the attendance and determination our students show. We want other countries to have a chance to learn something from our culture, and we’ll in turn learn what we can from them.”
Sempers,
Roger
Do: A Fair Trade
By U.S. Army Pfc. Christina Carde
11th Public Affairs Detachment
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – In a joint task force environment, American soldiers have the benefit of working side by side with armed forces from other countries. This benefit becomes even more rewarding when each force can bring a different learning experience to the table.
The Korean and American forces here have found a way to not only work together but to benefit from each other’s knowledge. As the Korean soldiers work on the Americans’ endurance and physical fitness through tae kwon do training, the U.S. soldiers stimulate their Korean instructors’ minds with the fundamentals of the English language.
“We hold tae kwon do classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 6 to 7 a.m. at the old Viper City dining facility for American and all other forces who want to learn,” said 1st Lt. JaeNeung Lee, a platoon leader with an Infantry platoon in the Korean Marine Corps. “In return, our American students hold English classes for us here (the Korean clinic) and at our engineer compound throughout the week. It’s a working relationship.”
“At first the Korean soldiers were shy and a little apprehensive, but now they are very open and willing to learn English,” said Capt. Monica Sneed, an English class instructor, Detachment A, 126th Finance Battalion, deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C. “We have beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with about 10 students from the clinic and 24 students from the engineer’s compound in each class. It’s a good turnout and they always do their homework.”
Even though difficulties as well as rewards come with both the tae kwon do and English classes, the Korean instructors think their American counterparts get the better end of the deal.
“When we began the classes in March, we issued all of our American students free karate uniforms which usually cost about $30 each,” Lee said. “We also have about 10 instructors for our beginner and advanced classes four of which are 4th degree black belts.”
In addition to the new uniforms and skilled instructors, the American students have the easier of the two learning experiences, according to Lee.
“In tae kwon do, it takes about three years of constant training to earn a black belt,” said Lee. “Many of us have been studying English for over 10 years and still can’t get the hang of it.
However, it’s still important for us to learn so we can communicate with the U.S. forces better both here and in our own country.”
Tae kwon do and English may offer challenges on different levels, but there are also similarities.
“Whether it’s an English word or a karate move, you must practice each over and over again until you become proficient,” Lee said. “I believe the Korean and American soldiers alike are both eager to learn from each other and they are very determined.”
Along with learning a new skill, the American and Korean soldiers are learning something new about each other’s culture.
“Learning English and tae kwon do are important each in their own way, but we have learned a lot more than that from each other,” said Lee. “Along with the discipline and patience our students learn in tae kwon do class, they also now have a deeper respect and insight into our culture. In the same way, the more English we learn and the more we interact with the U.S. forces, the better outlook we have on the world.”
The Korean tae kwon do instructors now hope to take their skill to new levels.
“We want coalition forces from all over Bagram to attend our tae kwon do classes,” said Lee. “We are very happy for the attendance and determination our students show. We want other countries to have a chance to learn something from our culture, and we’ll in turn learn what we can from them.”
Sempers,
Roger