On January 30, 2019, 15 English learners, consisting of 6 students from Korea Nazarene University (KNU) and 9 from various churches in South Korea, completed the 5-week Advanced English Program (AEP) at APNTS. This is the second batch of AEP students that Dr. Jung Ae Lee Allman has guided after she became Program Director last year. Dr. Allman led this group with the help of the AEP team which includes professional teachers and APNTS students.
For the AEP students, their experience in studying English at APNTS is unique and significant. Being able to communicate with people from different countries is a very important part of the experience. Park Juseob from Oryun Church indicated that learning from teachers who came from different countries as his most important experience from this program. Another student said that AEP provided a comfortable environment for her to communicate with foreigners, a chance she does not easily get back home.
The students enjoyed their classes and lessons, in addition to the various activities prepared by the team. One student particularly enjoyed the use of movies and video clips for their listening class. She found it helpful to have this kind of activity which helped improve her listening skills. Inclusion of games and other fun activities helped the students learn English in a more natural way.
The students also got to experience excursions outside the campus. On Mondays, they made special trips and on Sundays were church services. “The trips we had every Monday gave me positive energy which helps me study better,” said Oh Juhyeon, a student from KNU. “My most memorable experience would be playing with the children I met at one of the churches we visited,” Yang Yujin, another KNU student added. The trips outside the campus allowed them to get a glimpse of the local Filipino culture which became valuable for them.
However, not only the students get to learn from AEP. Even the teachers and tutors also discover many things through the program. Lorraine Perez, a first-time tutor and Christian Communication student, challenged herself to use her creativity to teach English much more effectively. Jojo Tan, also a first-time tutor, looked for ways by which her students will be able to apply the lessons they learned in class in real life situations and relate them with their personal experiences.
Even with the short timeframe of 5 weeks, the students and the teachers were able to learn and improve themselves through their experiences in AEP. “Through AEP, I think my English ability has improved and I have gained many friends. I am a very shy person but through this program I have gained confidence about myself,” Lee Wonyoung said. Sarah Palosa, a tutor, also indicated that through AEP she is able to build friendships with many people. Even today she continues to communicate with her former tutees.
The 5-week program may have ended for this batch but they will still carry with them the lessons they have learned and the experiences they have gained.
