CVSS Korea Trip 2008

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The CVSS South Korea trip 2008 from 22 to 28 May is a huge success as the 36 students and 4 teachers came back much enriched in many areas. The trip, which is guided by the principles of UbD (Unit by Design) promotes cross curriculum learning of several subjects such as Social Studies, History, Geography and Mother Tongue via several experiential and learning platforms. Historical empathy is promoted as the students came face to face with the conflict between South and North Korea the Korean War in the infamous DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and Korea War Memorial. Students are also treated to a wide spectrum of physical geographical elements in Korea’s National Park at Mount Sorak , something that they cannot find back home in Singapore. Social and cultural awareness are also created as the students experienced the traditional life in Korea via activities such as Korea calligraphy, dough cake-making and wedding ceremony role play in a Korea village. The students are also exposed to different cultures, community and educational systems through authentic learning and classroom experiences from the school visits. Students’ ability to communicate and work in groups is also greatly enhanced as they need to fulfill several collaborative tasks before, during and after the trip for a real-time weblog which is constantly updated. The overseas experience also helps to develop independence and global outlook of the students while staying rooted in Singapore with the implicit inculcation of NE messages during the trip. All in all, this is certainly a very fruitful and memorial trip for all the participants!

《韩国之旅回顾》

在这次的旅程中，我在出发前后都学到了不少东西，觉得和同行的老师和学生一同成长了许多。

我认为此行的学习重点对我而言已经跨越民俗文化，而扩展到对其历史的了解。这是我觉得获益最多的。

韩国与中华文化有许多相似之处，让学生通过观察和比较，学习自身的文化，也了解对方的文化，我认为是相当具有实质性的学习方法。学生从而更明白一些华人传统文化中的用语如“红男绿女”、“‘枣’生贵子”。学生亲自参与韩国人的传统婚礼、用毛笔写韩语，不只是在学习韩国文化，更能从中学习中华文化对其文化的影响。

此行也让身为语文老师的我对韩战有较深入的了解。同行的人文历史科老师连同当地导游的讲解，使这场战争的由来和个中所含的政治因素更明确。这也说明了，随着环球化的趋势，老师的知识范围需要扩展到其他的知识领域。人文历史和英文老师也在批改学生的华文反思方面帮了不少忙。

到中山高校和月村中学的观摩学习也让我对韩国人学习母语和外语方面有一些体会。韩国人非常重视韩语的学习。学生在中学时期，初中生学习韩语的课时较英语来得多，而随着年级的增长，才慢慢缩减改而增加学习英语的课时。中山高校也是在七年前才开始引进华文为另一个外语选修的科目。

新加坡和韩国在教育方面遇到相同的窘境即如何在应付考试的教育系统和鼓励学生发挥创意思维教育方面取得平衡点。考试是衡量学生表现的主要考量因素，但却极可能把学生推向填鸭式教育的极端。

但有一点我是能够深刻感受到的，即韩国人对自身的语言和文化是非常引以为傲。他们对韩语的学习跨越了纯粹语言的学习，更从中灌输其文化的精髓。其中和文化语言挂钩的科目甚至包括孔子的学说，目的是让学生能够在学习语言以及文化的同时，也学习做人的道理。我想唯有结合语言、文化和道德教育，才能使我们母语的学习更有效。只是，教导和实施的方法真的要从长计议。

要谢谢随行所有的老师的互相扶持，那是跨越纯粹同事之间的情谊。因为在彼此需要打气的时候，大家是轮替着互相帮忙的。不枉此行。

My own learning as a History/SS teacher:
As a History and Social Studies teacher where the Korean War is in the syllabus we have to teach, it is very interesting to hear and see the perspective from the South Korean on the Korean War, their present relationship with the USA and the North Korea. However, the information was mainly from the point of view from the local guide and it is too general to represent the views of the South Koreans.

The trip definitely has strengthened by knowledge on the Korean War and I can better share with my students on the topic. Sites like the War memorial and the DMZ are good resources for my teaching of the topic.

Other interesting learning:
The trip has increased my awareness of the Korean culture. How the interaction with other countries have impacted on the country’s political, social and economic development.

The trip has also increased my empathy towards Korea as a country. Although Korea seems to be highly developed and advanced, it does face a lot of internal and external challenges. For the country to come so far was not an easy task.

After the trip, I saw a lot of similarities between Singapore and South Korea. For example, both countries have no natural resources and both depend on human as the most valuable resource. Korea also focused very much on technological innovation.

Like Singapore, Korea was a country that was constantly targeted by foreign powers since ancient time eg. China, Japan, Russia. Presently, the country also has to depend on relation between the USA and North Korea. Sovereignty of the nation is always at stake. This is very much alike to Singapore and our diplomatic ties with our neighbour and the world at large is very important.

In terms of innovation, Korea tries to catch up with Japan but I felt that it still need very much to protect their intellectual properties and their enterprise. For example, the two leading companies are Samsung and Hyundai. Other companies like Daewood and Kia were bought over by other foreign companies. We sure do not want something like that to happen to Singapore enterprises.

Students’ learning:
Students are very much scaffold to lead them see how interactions with other countries have impacted South Korea in terms of political, economic and social developments. I would say most of the pupils were keen to learn and based on their reflection, we are able to see that they were able to draw the link. To be fair, some pupils definitely have shown better understanding than others.

What surprises me were the Normal Academic students, they have shown responsibility and compassion throughout the entire trip. The NA boys were helpful and were always helping out with the loading and unloading the luggage. They took care of the girls in the group and are always attentive to what the guide said. I am really very impressed and proud of them!

Being a Humanities teacher not teaching history or geography, I had a bird’s eye view of this trip as an observer. Students were strong in the learning mode as their power of observation translates into wonderful daily interactions with us. They had learnt new theories regarding the Korean War from the locals. Through sight, sound and touch, they relived the days of the Korean War. This type of learning is impossible to replace. I am sure that the students, through their memories of the trip, be able to “think out of the box” for solutions and comparisons in both their lives and academics. The students’ visits to the schools gave them a lot of insights on different learning styles and expectations. The Geography students, some for the first time, saw the difference in landscape and vegetation. I am sure that this will translate to better knowledge and the ability to go beyond the textbook. For Mother Tongue, the students were pleasantly surprised that certain Korean words are same or similar to written Chinese. This helps them to reflect back on the influence of China in Korean culture. As a teacher, I feel that a good match of learning is through both theory and practical. This trip gives a good match of both. This trip will help students to learn that the “grass is always NOT greener on the other side” and Singapore is not just as bad after all.

一九五零的那一年，

我响应了政府的号召，

当了一名军人

爸妈，儿子走了，有机会再见。

在兵营里，

我结交了许多兄弟，

在这场战争中，

就靠彼此了！

炸弹如绵绵的雪降下，

许多兄弟埋在层层雪堆中

兄弟们，

你们安息吧！

我会继续保卫这个国家的。

一九五三年的太阳是那么灿烂，

政府宣布战争已经停止，

韩国已经一分为二。

有的家人就此分离了。

在韩国，

每个人忙着除掉战争的痕迹，

但这些如阴影般围绕着每个人。

可见这场战争是那么残酷，那么悲伤。

回家的路程，

那么的慢，那么的长。

我从我的亲友口中得知父母因战争死了。

爸妈，安息吧！

不必担心我。

熊凯鸣 3J

中国人来到韩国做买卖，会把自己的饮食文化也带来。当他们在韩国居住下来，他们的文化与韩国的文化就融合在一起。如，韩国的炸酱面是来自中国的，但因为受到韩国饮食文化的影响，而已经和原来中国人的炸酱面不一样了。

比如说，中国人的炸酱面有加入黄瓜和萝卜丝而韩国人的jajangmyeon则加入切片的葱和豆瓣酱，味道独特。

Comments by : Benjamin Yong 3J

随着两国越来越多的互动，彼此之间更为了解对方的文化。韩国人可能在这个过程中吸收了大量的中华饮食文化，同时又融入自己的文化因素，创造出独特的风味。深受韩国人喜爱的炸酱面（jajangmyeon）就是自中国饮食文化而来，又经一定的演变，成为道地的韩国菜。

Comments by: Yeo Li Yan 3E

因为韩国和中国只是一水之隔（仁川最为靠近中国的地域），所以当中国船只经过仁川的时候，船员下船时，便会与当地的韩国人交易，从而带动韩国的经济增长。

这次的旅程中让我体验到韩国的传统习俗以及他们的文化。韩国人的语言和新加坡的十分不同所以学起来难免觉得辛苦，不过还是学到了一些。

在这次的旅程中我也了解了韩战的历史，并借此机会到韩国的街上走一走。虽然这次没什么机会买到太多东西，不过却是一种新的体验。这次也认识了许多中三的朋友，有些虽然是同班同学却不曾说过话，但在这次的旅程中却成了无所不谈的朋友。而来自普通班的同学更不用说了，在学校时根本不认识，不过却成了朋友。所以在这次的旅程中，我获益不浅，也很享受整个学习的过程。

Comments by: Chee Si Jia 3I

Visiting the Incheon Chinatown in a cold morning drizzle

There are several Chinese restaurant like this in Chinatown depicting strong entrepreneurial bond between China and South Korea

More restaurants along the streets of Chinatown

A ship which bring us from across the the river en route to the airport

Our bus driving right into the ship. Maybe we can have a ship like this in Singapore River or Marina Bay area.

Feeding the seagulls as we cruised across the river

Our last photo with our pretty Korean tour guide, Miss Annie

A last goodbye to our caring Singaporen tour leader, Mr Yo