From Classroom to Culture : How Michuhol Students Experience the World

An Overview of the Cultural Programs for Each Major Language

 

At Michuhol Foreign Language High School, activities to directly experience the culture of each major language are being conducted. These activities aim to broaden students' understanding of culture.

 

Japanese Major Cultural Programs

This is an exchange with students of Hiroshima Prefectural Kamo High School held last year.

 

The Japanese language department is the most active major language culture program. Compared to other departments, it provides students with opportunities to experience various cultures, and students also join cultural exchanges through international programs. The first year has exchanges with students from Hiroshima Prefectural Kamo High School, and the second year has exchanges with Tokyo Prefectural Hibiya High School, and there are well-organized activities to share culture with Japanese students, such as homestay activities. There is also a cultural program held during the time of a native Japanese teacher. Typical activities include ‘Suikawari’(breaking watermelon) , grilling kirimochi, and yukata experience.

 

Chinese Major Cultural Programs

Zongzi is a food eaten on the Dano Festival in China, and it is a form of wrapping glutinous rice in lotus leaves.ⓒNamuwiki

 

The Chinese language department is engaged in exchange activities with students from Taoyuan City Ping Tran High School in Taiwan. The school held exchanges through Zoom video conferences, and Chinese language students visited the exchange school in person during the first year school trip. In addition, cultural experiences in China are also held during school hours, and it is said that they made Zongzi and Malatang. Zongzi is a food wrapped with sticky rice with bamboo or lotus leaves and eaten on the Dano Festival in China on May 5th of the lunar calendar. It is said to be a food of successful admission wishing for high scores on the Chinese college entrance exam.

 

Spanish Major Cultural program

El Gordo ⓒ Newsis / Tapas ⓒ 지식백과

 

One of the representative cultural experiences of the Spanish language department at Michuhol Foreign Language High School is participating in El Gordo and making tapas. In Spain, buying lottery tickets to celebrate the New Year is a deeply rooted tradition, and El Gordo, which means "The Fat One," is the most famous Christmas lottery in the world. The drawing takes place every year on December 22nd, and it is so popular that nearly three out of four Spaniards participate in it, making it a major cultural event across the country.

 

In addition to learning about El Gordo, students also had the opportunity to experience making tapas, which are small appetizers commonly enjoyed with drinks before meals in Spain. Some typical types of tapas include aceitunas (olives marinated in vinegar), patatas bravas (fried potatoes with spicy sauce), and bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwiches). Through these and other activities, students were able to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Spanish culture.

 

French Major Cultural programs

It is crepe, a thin French pancake. ⓒ The Maeil Iilbo

 

French students have experienced French culture through crepe-making and fetching games. Crepe is one of the national foods that French people typically eat for dessert or as a snack, and it is a pancake that is eaten thinly. Crepe is divided into salty and sweet flavors, and is traditionally eaten on the feast of Christmas Day on Feb. 2. Pétanque is a traditional French game, similar to Korean marbles. The balls used in pétanque are larger than marbles and are made of iron, which makes the game feel heavier and more tactile. Pétanque has the advantage of being able to enjoy it in a small space and having simple rules, making it easy for anyone to enjoy. It is also one of the popular sports among the French public. The goal of play is to throw a metal ball into a wooden ball to position it closer to its opponent.

Through this activity, students didn’t just eat a snack. They learned about the life and history of French people. Programs like this give Michuhol Language High School students a better chance to understand and feel other cultures.

 

Students' Perception of Major Language Culture Program

 

In order to investigate the impact of the major language culture program on students, a survey was conducted on the students of Michuhol Foreign Language High School in the second and third grades who participated in the major language culture experience. According to the survey, 100 percent of the students answered that the cultural experience helped them understand the culture of the country, and 88.2 percent of the students said they were satisfied with the school's cultural program. Through this, it can be seen that cultural programs conducted at Michuhol Foreign Language High School stimulate students' interest and help them understand various cultures. However, students of Western Studies have fewer opportunities for cultural exchange and significantly fewer cultural activities conducted in class. Therefore, there is a need for an alternative in which all departments can actively conduct cultural experiences of each country.

 

By Staff Reporter Lee Hyo Jeong (1-1)

Yoon Yoojung (1-1)

Song Jiyun (2-7)