♥ Mini interview with Prof. Andrei Lankov, Robin Debacker, Todd Saed

Bunch of questions as to how the foreign professor with whom I studied ‘came to stay in Korea?’, ‘how he happened to teach at Kookmin University?’, ‘how he spends the time at school?’…, but if too afraid to even say ‘hello’, prick up your ears to the stories of these professors! Language barrier? Cultural difference? Don’t worry over nothing.

We had a comfortable mini interview agonizing over the relationship and ways of communication between students and foreign professors. Here we introduce their views on students, life at Kookmin University and their daily lives.

Professor, Andrei Lankov (Australia, Russia)

             Even before giving a greeting, professor fluently spoke in Korean ‘Welcome’. Despite his busy schedule, he sincerely agreed to an interview and he only spoke in Korean clearly during the interview.

How did you happen to teach at Kookmin University?

I had been holding a professorship at a national university in Australia for 20 years. At that time I visited Kookmin University many times as a person in charge of international relations. Since then, people though it was odd when I finally decided to teach at Kookmin University after agonizing. However, Australia is not a good place for studying histories of Republic of Korea and North Korea. Staying in Korea enables me to access to data more easily, to get to know people studying the same subject and to learn a great many while adapting to the culture. That’s why teaching at Kookmin University is a good opportunity for me and I now take it for granted.

What do you think about the attitude of Korean students towards you?

Korean students very much ‘respect’ professors, probably due to the influence of Confucian culture. However, the problem is excessive respect. I am already used to it after 5 years of life in Korea and very grateful for it, but I think unconditional respect should be eliminated during the class time. Students then have no choice but to be uncritical to professors. I believe that is not considerable. Therefore, I want more communication with students. I like active attitude and closer relationship with students.

Please recommend a couple of subjects among your lectures to the students.

I give lectures on life history of Korea city, two sides of globalization and special lecture on politics. Honestly, I would like to recommend all the subjects I teach. In particular, I believe subject related to North Korea history such as ‘practicing unification’ will be very interesting to the students.

Could you express how great your affection to Kookmin University and Korea is?

I think it is a ridiculous question. I stay at Kookmin University studying Korean history and teaching. I do not study on the part I am not in favor of. Neither can I stay at the place I do not like. My affection to Kookmin University and Korea is quite natural. I absolutely feel a disposition to return to my homeland, but I am more anxious to stay in Korea for another 20, 30 years studying about Korea.

Any words to the students at Kookmin University, please?

Let me make it short. ‘Learn hard and have a fun life!’

Professor, Robin Debacker (the USA)

She is a very friendly professor remembering the conversation class I took three years ago greeted me. She even cancelled the appointment that has been arranged in advance and told us to stay a bit longer if there is no urgent matter. A sense of making brownie and milk tea!

Do you have a good memory for students?

I remember all the students. I cannot remember all the names, but I remember all the faces. Students might be confused if I am Debacker or not because my hairstyle has changed.

I am curious about your way of teaching the students in the class.

I have always been asking students to introduce themselves. Nowadays, I recommend short books in English, write book reports and make a presentation. Reading books in English is really a good method. I used to have drama classes instead of this before. Students can participate in the class by choosing the subject, preparing the costumes, making scripts and performing in a play. It is fun to enjoy the students’ play. I played the guitar and sang a song with students, but these days there’s something wrong with my throat so I am not in a good condition to sing. It is regretful.

What would be the ways students and foreign professors can become more intimate?

There are many ways. I am so excited if they can come to see me. I also want to communicate more other than in classes. Have you seen my husband? I invite the students to a small party where we can have a conversation in English over a cup of tea. That is a very valuable time. I will keep having it. I will give you telephone number and email address, so please contact me anytime if you want to join.

In addition to this, I would like to run my article in the newspaper, Kookmin review. I have already contributed to a newspaper several times and some of my articles or pictures have actually got into papers. I share my views with the students and work with a great pleasure.

I can only speak few Korean words, but I do think speaking in Korean will be helpful in becoming close. Students are surprised, but feel more familiar when I sometimes say “look here” in Korean during the class.

Please give your impression of working at Kookmin University and some words to the students.

It was quite hard to find a job with the condition I want when I first came to Korea. I had a lot of stress searching for a job for more than 5 months. However, I finally began to teach at Kookmin University and now I am extremely happy. I want to be tighter with the students. I am grateful if students come and visit me without feeling uncomfortable. I wish to have chances like this more often.

Professor, Todd Saed (the USA)

He gave a warm welcome stating students hardly visit him. Let us listen to the conversation with the professor who has a lot to tell the students and a lot to do for the students.

I heard that you have been teaching English not only in Korea but also in many other countries. How is the current life different compared to those of other countries’ previously?

It has been 9 years already since I came to Korea. I have given lectures in other countries like Japan, China, and Thailand and so on, but now I am most satisfied. Students have quite a high standard, probably because they are highly interested in learning English or because they have a lot of experiences of learning English in either in the institute or school. Therefore, we communicate without much difficulty and admiration for teacher or professor is higher than any other countries, which is the reason I like. Other countries are well-mannered, but not as much as Korea. Korea respects more and is friendlier. Thanks to these good aspects, I didn’t leave Korea when IMF was brought on. Money is not a big issue. University has free atmosphere and everybody respects my class and my way of teaching. Nobody interferes in them. Students are also very creative.

Tell us about the most lasting memory of a student or a student you liked the most.

‘Liked the most’ is not a good expression. I treat all the students equally. None of the students will lose the interest in class only when I treat them fairly. As for the student I remember the most is the one who prepared for English speaking contest. The most memorable image of my students is when they sang a song in class. It was a great harmony. It was far more touching than any other well organized concert or record or CD.

I am curious about how you spend your time other than the lectures.

Not much different from the students. I like something active. I enjoy playing tennis, playing an instrument or doing yoga. They are unstressful activities. I dislike being under stress. Besides myself, I hope students do not get stress as well. I want to tell them to be positive never say negative.

Finally, anything you would like to tell the students?

As for learning English, I recommend speaking with foreigners. Go outside the school and make a chance to speak to the foreigners. Lastly, I want to tell them to enjoy positively as they are without being stressful and do their best in whatever they do. Demonstrate your strongest point and be positive.