A Sincere Cultural Visit at Guil Elementary School, Seoul

11/4/2016

The entrance of Guil Elementary School

Today, 4 Nov, we visited the second and last school in our itinerary (the GS teachers had other destinations though) - Guil Elementary School, Seoul. It is another large government school with over 1,300 students. Again, we valued so much their friendliness and great attitude for cultural exchanges.

Just like my writing for the first school yesterday, allow me to walk you through this experience through my photography!

Their School Head, Ms Nam, did a friendly opening speech with a comprehensive slideshow projected at the back with English subtitles. We were all amazed to know that Ms Nam's old son was a graduate in Beijing! This gave a great bonding between us.

Their staff taught us to make a "Traditional Patterned Mirror" as a souvenir. It was quite a challenge for us as it needed very advanced folding techniques! But the end products were beautiful!

We paid a visit to their history lesson. The children at the back were interested, again, in Mr Richard! Although they spoke limited English, they were eager to converse with Mr Richard as well as some other teachers of YWPS. And this lesson was conducted in groups through tablets. It was not a surprise at all considering the technological standard of Korea.

Just next door, we came into another class which, interestingly, we had very little information about. We could see that the children were sitting in groups doing some activities with fake money. The children seemed very focused and excited about the task.

Before we left, we could briefly observe the children's outdoor activities. That could be their PE lesson, I was not sure. But the children were all enjoying their ball games and free running on their large playground. Children do need space to vent out their energy so that they can calm down during lessons! Agree?

Ms Eve Lee represented YWPS to present souvenirs to Guil.

It was another fantastic experience visiting a local school and interacting with the nice people there. Language barrier was not a great issue knowing that we were all very open to each other for a genuine exchange. These visits always give us fond memories and energy to improve ourselves as educators.

I would love to end this article with the picture below. It wasn't taken at Guil, but it isn't at all a bad idea when it shows two handsome teachers in front of the charming autumn leaves! We will be back soon and more sharings will surely follow!

Dr H C Lee

At Seoul Forest (Photo courtesy: Mr Chan Shue-hung); who's more handsome?

34 Comments

Mr Richard

11/5/2016 07:45:53 pm

Who is more handsome???? You, of course

I can't tell you of course

11/7/2016 06:16:57 pm

Maybe both? 8 points for Mr.Richard, and the same for Dr.Lee.

Better not tell you who I am.

Edwin Chan

11/7/2016 04:26:00 pm

It seems like a really school to me! The playground seemed very big, and the students look very happy. The Traditional Patterned mirror looks very interesting. Can you teach me how to make one?

Mervin louie

11/7/2016 05:30:32 pm

So, if it turns to the Korean teachers visiting us, they'll think that Hong Kong education is a failure. Instead of let the students sitting their for 6-8hours learning, Korean schools have more activities, I wonder how long is their recess.

Oscar Chan

11/7/2016 10:15:55 pm

Ha, you're always thinking about the RECESS.

11/8/2016 07:39:12 am

They may also notice many of the positive things about education in Hong Kong rather than thinking it is a failure!!!

11/8/2016 07:41:59 am

For example, in Korean public schools they do not start learning English until P3 and then it is only 1 lesson per week. 2 lessons per week for P4-6.

They may appreciate the efforts of HK schools to promote and teach English from K1 onwards.

James Tam

11/7/2016 05:59:04 pm

This trip looks nice, this school's playground is bigger than ours, cause there are more students. The students look like they enjoy their life, I wonder what other lessons do they have?

Anson Ng

11/7/2016 05:59:19 pm

That seems interesting as their learning system and facilities were different compare to us.Sand court,paper making and so on!

Max Chu

11/7/2016 06:12:46 pm

I think the Korean students have a very exciting and interesting school life everyday just like us! Very amazing and beautiful photos with the teachers. It is really a excellent experience for all teachers in YWPS. It surprised me a lot that they have a sand court. Also, I have made the 'traditional patterned mirror' before! It is quite difficult to make. Just a marvellous trip!

Jonathan Chan (enhancement class)

11/7/2016 06:30:46 pm

The thing that makes me the most interested is the massive playground in their school. Unfortunately, space is so limited in Hong Kong. I wish I could have this kind of place in Hong Kong. But I know that this dream would never come true. A big place to play is good for students. You can do different varieties of sports at the same time. We have to share our playground with other college boys so we sometimes have to share the same place for two kinds of sports in the playground. How sad!

Daniel Cheng

11/7/2016 06:32:39 pm

It Looks like a really nice school.Their studying mode is very interactive and fun that is quite similar to our school. I really like the sand playground and the idea of changing shoes when students are in classroom but I think the staff would be really hard cleaning the playground as it is made out of sand.The history class seemed quite fun that students are discussing things and they all had a big smiling face on their cheek .Are the children playing Monopoly on number 5 photo ?It would be fun if they can play different board games at school !

P.S. Both Mr Richard and Dr Lee look really handsome on the last photo.They both got 10/10 Double champion. Yeah!

Justin lo

11/7/2016 06:48:10 pm

WOW! The second school trip seems to be more better than the first one. The learning method are familiar to us. They welcomed us by a different way, they use a powerpoint speech instead of some musical show. a very good experience for YWPS teachers for "making" their own soveniers. I think the principal relly pay alot of effort to make the speech good amd succesfull.
P.S Mr. richard and Dr. Lee : you both can go to join the "Mr. Hong Kong"
P.P.s Why Dr. Lee said the G.S tacher went to the another destanations but why Mr. han could take the picture of Dr. Lee ang Mr. Richard?

Adrian Chow

11/7/2016 06:57:28 pm

I think this is a memorably trip as I see all of the experience and also the visits to the schools can experience the traditional culture of Korea.

Adrian Chow 6A (8) link

11/7/2016 07:02:58 pm

I think this is a memorably trip as I see all of the experience and also the visits to the schools can experience the traditional culture of Korea.

I think that Dr Lee👦👦👦 is more handsome than Mr Richard👨👨👨 because Dr Lee looks younger!😀😀😀

The food must be delicious! 🍙🍙🍙

Mr. Richard

12/2/2016 12:43:58 pm

ggggrrrrrrrrr!

Andrew Chan

11/7/2016 07:25:51 pm

I had never been to Korea, was the weather good there? Is there any big difference between Hong Kong and Korea? From the photos, the school's playground seems to be very big. I think the "interesting lesson' might be teaching the students how to manage their money correctly. The 'traditional pattern mirror' seems to be quiet beautiful, but I totally cannot fold it, because I really really cannot fold anything. (most of the things) If you could choose learning in Hong Kong or in Korea, where would you want to learn?

Oscar Ngan

11/7/2016 07:53:24 pm

I think that it is a interesting and also exciting trip to you all because you hadn't been to Korea before ,also,the teachers in Korea take care of you very well！Besides, you use a interesting question to end the composition,and it magically attracts us to answer it. I think both are super super handsome!

Preston Wong (Enhancement class)

11/7/2016 08:03:33 pm

A really amazing-looking school! Perhaps Hong Kong doesn't have enough space, but in general their school just feels so much bigger than ours. The lesson they were having looked very interesting and the traditional patterned mirror sounds pretty cool, I want to make one for myself as well. I have never ever been to Korea, even though I don't think I will ever go to their schools, just reading about it makes me want to go so badly!

Man Of Steel Escapes Secretly

11/7/2016 08:28:43 pm

My comments:💬
I agree with Preston. It is, in fact, ENORMOUS! I think that it looks like a brick apartment more. The interesting lesson might be about money management for the children's good when they grow up. Well, I would be honoured to try out the traditional patterned mirror!

"Language barrier was not a great issue knowing that we were all very open to each other for a genuine exchange."
Yes, I definitely agree with you! Language barrier is not an obstacle at all. Just have the same vision and dream, you can have the same goal.

P.S You're both winning in the handsomeness contest! 😎
#twinning

Dr H C Lee

11/9/2016 02:34:21 pm

Simply love your humorous style Moses! Your feedback is mature and also I thank you for your appreciation ^o^

Daniel Chui

11/7/2016 08:47:45 pm

I think this kind of visiting is good for our teachers to self improve.So our teachers can teach us in more interesting way.

Davin Choy haha

11/7/2016 08:59:23 pm

Wow it is amazing that they can take P.E. lessons i the sand pit.It is too sad that we don't have space at Hong Kong. It is quite interesting that all the students at the back was interested at Mr. Richard but I think it is normal because they don't have any foregin teachers.I agree that the two teachers in the last photo are both handsome.:)

11/7/2016 10:14:33 pm

Firstly, I'm not talking about who's more handsome, because if I said that Mr. Richard is more handsome, well, I'm in Dr.Lee's class, so you'll get the overall idea, and the same with Mr. Richard.
Enough with the nonsense, back to the topic. Again, a lovely visit to a different culture school for the teachers. A great treat. Looks like Korean students have a practical INTEREST in Mr. Richard. About the "Traditional Patterned Mirror" souvenir, I am very curious to know how Dr.Lee's product worked out in the end, so can you please let me have a peek if it's alright? Or your product is too "unbearable" that you threw it away?! I hope not.
The learning methods of the Korean kids, I noticed, are very similar to ours. I think we could also try to use tablets while learning, as our school, if I'm correct, has already got a few I-Pads enough for a class.
Moreover, even in the photos, I was gobsmacked as I saw how huge their school's " activity area" or "playground" is. As Dr.Lee states, its unbelievable space for children to vent out their energy is great. Pity that we can't shove a nice place like this out in Hong Kong for outdoor activities.
I observed that their School Head, Ms Nam, looked very interested in and surprised at the little flying present the teachers gave her. Once again, I would really have the honor to visit this cultural school.

Lo Hoi Hang

11/7/2016 10:42:45 pm

It is very interesting to hear from you about your Korea trip. I think the most interesting part about this school is that their playground is actually a gigantic sandpit and that they can have long jump competitions or even building an enormous sand castle that even a normal person can walk into. That will be amazing, wouldn't it?

I realize why they were interesting in Mr. Richard again as his lesson are filled with joy. He often tells jokes and he always has interesting conversations with us and even talk about his personal experiences.

P.S. I personally think that both of you looked great in that photo.

wong chung hei

11/8/2016 12:13:25 am

Wong chung hei

11/8/2016 08:46:06 pm

Is good learn to make the traditional patterned mirror.Did the teachers eat meat that are roast.That sound like delicious.

Ambrose Lau

11/8/2016 09:28:38 pm

I think this is one of the more memorable trips of the teachers. Not even the teachers, the students also learned a lot. I now know some of the Korean cultures I didn't know before. Also, that school is enormous! There are so much space for the students to play and learn. I would LOVE that. Although that will be impossible in a place like Hong Kong, I still have fun imagining the scene.

P.S. Sorry for the lateness, I couldn't find the comments! I wrote it in the journal. Also, we have a double winner in our "handsome" competition!

Angus Chan

11/14/2016 03:54:02 pm

It must be a fruitful day ! Although the classroom is not big, it was beautifully decorated. It won't be boring sitting inside four walls. Sitting in groups can let students have more opportunities to discuss with teammates, then learning will be more efficiently and more interesting. Also, I hope in our P.E. lesson, we could choose to play what sports games we do. At last, thanks for Dr. Lee to write this wonderful journal!

Blues and Luca

11/15/2016 11:59:15 am

This is a meaningful and fascinating. I think the school in Korea is very entertaining for children. I think the part about the fake money was very interesting.I hope the teachers had a great time in Korea .

Aidan Chong

11/15/2016 12:01:52 pm

There are also many activities in the korean school. I think that it is a memorable trip to all teachers.

Eason Lau

11/15/2016 06:32:56 pm

I think all of the teachers had a lot of fun throughout then whole trip and learnt a lot of Korean knowledge

Blues Zhang and Luca Cheung

11/15/2016 09:46:34 pm

his is a meaningful and fascinating. I think the school in Korea is very entertaining for children. I think the part about the fake money was very interesting.I hope the teachers had a great time in Korea .

Timothy Chak

11/16/2016 07:21:20 pm

The teechers had a lot of fun . Through the passge I can see that school in Korea are full of fun and they have a big playground, too.

A Sincere Cultural Visit at Guil Elementary School, Seoul

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