Interview with a Graduate from Michuhol Foreign Language High School

On May 4, 2023, we interviewed a senior who had graduated from Michuhol Foreign Language High School in 2021. Among the seniors, we interviewed Daso Kim, a 10th graduate of MCH Chinese language department student. She was accepted to Chung-Ang University and is currently enrolled in the Department of English Language and Literature at the school. When she had been a student at Michuhol Foreign Language High School, she participated in the publication of a booklet in 2022, on tips for passing the first-level English proficiency test and maintaining her grades all throughout high school. She came to visit Michuhol Foreign Language High School for a “Meet the Seniors” event, where she gave advice to her juniors about high school and college. Our interview with Daso Kim was conducted online, and we selected four questions that we thought the students would be interested in the most.

 

△What was the most challenging aspect of studying English at Michuhol and how did you overcome it?

Daso: Probably the most overwhelming aspect was the amount of content I had to study for the exams. So, I immediately reviewed what I had learned in class the same day to make sure I understood it fully, and never put it off to the next day. It helped me a lot to do this not only during the exam period, but every day. Also, when I was studying for the College Scholastic Ability Test in Korea (CSAT) or mock test questions, I think that it was a good idea to have solved the questions twice to prepare before the class: Once with the teacher in class on the day I had studied it and once again during the exam period.

 

 

△What topics did you mainly cover for your school performance assessments or student records to pursue your desired major or career path?

Da So: I did a lot of follow-up activities after reading works of English literature. I think it would be a good idea to have a favorite author and read a number of his or her works if you want to major in English literature. In my case, I read Edgar Allan Poe's poems and short stories, then analyzed his stylistic devices and literary expression. I also analyzed the rhythmical features of Shakespeare's plays because it is important to be specific when you are writing an analysis report.

 

△Please tell us about the Department of English and English Literature.

Da So: As you know, the Department of English and English Literature focuses on the study of the English language and English literature. I am currently taking “An Introduction to English Language” and “The Basics of Understanding English Literature” which are the required subjects in the major. In “An Introduction to English Language”, I learn about the basics of English grammar such as phonetics and phonemics. In “The Basics of Understanding English Literature”, I analyze various works of English literature such as poems and short stories which helps me to understand and appreciate them more. In the Department of English and English Literature, you can learn English again, which you had learned in high school by focusing only on solving examination questions. When you studied literature in high school, you may have had to passively write down what your teacher told you, but in the university, you can develop your own skills by appreciating the works of literature yourself and actively analyzing it. However, if you don't have any interest in English, or if like practical literature, or just go to a school because you meet their requirement, you may feel the classes to be boring.

 

△Do you have any final thoughts?

Da So: I'm a bit cautious because I'm afraid that cheering for you will feel like pressure, but I do hope that you will seize the opportunities you come across. People may think that if you join the Department of English Language and Literature, you will only study and learn English. But you can gain various knowledge while taking liberal arts courses, so if you are interested and enthusiastic about studying English, you can apply to the Department of English Language and Literature. You have more time than you think, so don't worry or be afraid. Fighting!

 

Lee Nayeon (1-6)¹ | Staff Reporter

Kim Yeeun (2-5)² | Staff Reporter

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1) skdus073@gmail.com

2) xo12gud@naver.com