Saturday, December 31, 2011
AGORA 2011
About:
The English Debate Club (AGORA) at Sadaebugo aims to improve students' English speaking skills through discussion about various topics. Students will debate in a variety of formats and eventually hope to compete against other schools.
Original Debate Syllabus
First Debate Information Session
2nd Debate Information PPT
Calendar:
Saturday, June 11th: English competition - Miss Morrow is unavailable
Sunday, June 12th, 5pm: English Pizza Dinner and Debate in HAWAII! Topic: Immersion (using the target language to teach the language you are trying to learn) is the best way to learn a language. Related topics include studying abroad.
Saturday, June 18th: Students study for finals (FIGHTING!) - EDC doesn't meet.
Saturday, June 25th: Students enjoy time at home, Miss Morrow enjoys a visit from a friend. :D
Sunday, July 10th, dinnertime: Debate Gay Rights
Saturday, July 17th: Miss Morrow leaves for USA, students enjoy time at home
Monday, August 15th: Miss Morrow returns to Korea.
Saturday, September 3rd, lunchtime: Discuss Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Saturday, September 17th, lunctime: Discuss personality types and leadership led by Je Woo
Saturday, October 15th, lunchtime: Discuss Nano-technology led by Kilmook
Sunday, November 6th, dinnertime: Childhood Prostitution led by Sujin
Other information:
Results of Survey: Color-coded. Red and orange topics received the most number of "Very Interested" or "Interested votes." Yellow is "?", Green means "Not very interested" and Blue is "I dislike this topic.
Judge's Form
Thursday, December 15, 2011
GNH and the Balloons of Bhutan
We talked about happiness by listening to the song "Happiness" from the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The lyrics list several things that Charlie Brown and his friends think are happiness.
Then we learned about GNH (Gross National Happiness) and watched this video:
Students rated Korea's GNH on a scale of 1-10 and then learned about about the GNH in Bhutan with the Balloons of Bhutan Project. You can also explore the statistics for lots more about the project. (My favorite section is the one about wishes). ^^ We listened to Jonathan Harris explain the project.
We looked at some of the pictures, listened to some of the stories (Chimi Dema & Tandin Gyeltshen).
Finally, we made Wordles of what made each class happy. :)
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Bromance and other Relationship Vocabulary
We learned about informal vocabulary and language for relationships and friendships.
Starting vocabulary: PDA = Public Displays of Affection
We watched "TL;DR: Public Displays of Affection" from EatYourKimchi.com and discussed PDA between friends in Korea. It is far more common between same-sex friends in Korea than it is in North America. When there is affection between male friends, it's called Bromance. We watched this video by NigaHiga:
Then, we learned many words and language surrounding relationships and friendships.
Starting vocabulary: PDA = Public Displays of Affection
We watched "TL;DR: Public Displays of Affection" from EatYourKimchi.com and discussed PDA between friends in Korea. It is far more common between same-sex friends in Korea than it is in North America. When there is affection between male friends, it's called Bromance. We watched this video by NigaHiga:
Then, we learned many words and language surrounding relationships and friendships.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
AGORA Debate: "Childhood Prostitution and Sex-Trafficking"
"Childhood Prostitution and Sex-Trafficking"
AGORA Debate/Discussion on November 6th, 2011
· Primary Causes
o
JW: Lack of comprehension of
the opposite sex contributes to this problem
as a Confucian society, we have distorted views of the opposite sex
as a Confucian society, we have distorted views of the opposite sex
o
SP: 1) Personal, Family,
Friendship, School, Social Parts are contribute
personal value distorted; family environmental is unstable, society turns a blind eye Gov’t doesn’t help support the issue
personal value distorted; family environmental is unstable, society turns a blind eye Gov’t doesn’t help support the issue
o
MS: Basic unfair relationship
between children and adult
o
DY: Children volunteer –
entrepreneurship
o
JWon: Traveling to other
countries for it – avoiding domestic laws
o
Sejin: Poverty -> supplies.
The demand for sex trade is present and poverty creates the supplies.
o
ML: Poverty ~ financial
benefits; meeting immediate needs -> developing countries.
Pocket money prostitution in developed countries. <- kids don’t get it
Pocket money prostitution in developed countries. <- kids don’t get it
o
SP: Poverty is issue, but
indifferent families and inefficient support within the social groups is a
major issue.
o
YCY: Social pre-conception.
Since the issue is mostly prorogated from a male point of view, it’s a
women/children’s issue. Men aren’t getting involved to fight it. Men > women
in this power struggle
o
Suji: Poverty & existing
laws too weak
o
Sejin: Fertilitiy ratio.
Children become a surplus and are devaulued
o
Jwoo: Lack of control and lack
of proof
o
MS: Unfair relationship: male
centered view of sex.
Women = 2nd gender attached to men. No critical attitude to change these behaviors.
Women = 2nd gender attached to men. No critical attitude to change these behaviors.
o
WC: Greed of managers and pimps
o
GM: Balance of supply and
demand results in men searching for sex
ex: Czech Republic. Legal consequences focus on women who were prostitutes but men were faceless & nameless.
ex: Czech Republic. Legal consequences focus on women who were prostitutes but men were faceless & nameless.
o
Robin: 1) Runaway children with family problems most likely to be victims
2) Financial need.
o
Jwoo – Social network services
(Twitter, etc) for developed Countries. Lack control of SMS and other forms
social communication.
o
MS: Internet playing a big
role. Runaway need. Teenage – pocket $
o
MC: Culture of mass media
glamorizing prostitution (cheap, easy). Film industries and porn for film: film
industry supplies sex industry.
o
Ho Yeon: Parents don’t have autonomous
regulation or knowledge x tech
o
GM: Gov. protects sex
industries because of money generated by the sex trade , which pressures the
government.
o
SP: Summarize: mass media, open
culture for sex.
· Solutions – Brainstorming
o
JWoo: Lack of comprehension
between the sexes – it’s important to have understanding between the sexes.
Solution: co-ed schools.
o
DoYeon: Education of parents in
developing counties. Psychological and physical support should be provided.
o
Sejin: Education for children;
especially women to reduce the fertility rate an income besides producing more
children and benefiting from child labor
o
MinSeo: Online – international
and national laws need backing
o
SP: There are laws, so let’s be
creative in our solutions.
o
JeWoo: Police in the
educational system, so create an SMS polics alert system
o
Suji: A few ideas: 1)
Government gives poor families a work place 2) Sex education 3) Toughen
existing laws
o
JaeWon: Sex tourism is an
issue, so the international police system should work with local police. Each
nations strengthens its laws and punishes and detains international visitors
who violate these laws.
o
DoYeon: Crack down on Sex Spam
on the internet
o
SP: Internet can help or hinder
with advertisements. There should be an international conference to set the
standard for legislation for Children’s Rights. There’s already a UN
declaration regarding this.
o
MiLang: 1) Educational
authorities should educate children in developed counties so that they know
about their rights. 2) Support for the vicitims. Housing and ensure legal
support for them. We should support all steps of awareness, prevention and
holistic care.
o
SeJin: Need to support families
who keep their children in school instead of having them enter the sex trade.
Examples include the law and effects in Brazil.
o
YoonHui: Work on male’s
perceptions of women and sex.
o
KM: Bioterrorism – it’s more
likely to spread disease with the offenders.
o
SP: Laws should protect the
victims: they should not be punished for this as a crime.
o
JeWoo: Provide jobs for
teenagers as a legal alternative.
o
MS: I agree, co-ed schools
should be part of the solution.
o
DY: Children sold into
sex-trafficking could be prevented with enhanced border laws. Also, the issue
of lust can be controlled with medications that block hormones.
o
GM: Education
o
YM: Swedish legislation reduced
prostitution by 60% and the number of customers by 80%. Foreign women
trafficked into the country was reduced to 0%. Why? Their supporting funds
social funds to help prostitutes instead of criminalizing them, ending the
problem and using funds to educate the public
o
Jwoo: Legalizing prostitution.
Universal conference – make a united front to prevent the abuse of
prostitution
o
SM: School campaign: Compulsory
sex education
o
· Critique the Reactions & Solutions
o
SP: Police reporting crime is
good, but…
o
Jwoo: Education is effective
and good and decreases rates. Weakening lust w/ medication is not effective.
Affecting revenge for victims is too strict for criminals.
o
Wcul: Jobs for teenagers not
effective. No skills, so they’ll be fired and it will cycle.
o
Sejin: Bioterrorism – not a
good idea. If something goes wrong problem for mankind. Enhancing borders is a
good idea.
o
SM: Facilities is good – give
children a good alternative.
o
DY: Int’l conference will
result in Int’l conflict because of conflicting interest. Providing jobs for
kids can be problematic. Might keep them in the cycle as W.C. mentioned.
o
MR: Allowing children to have
jobs won’t help pockethood prostitution & those who give money to family are
already worried about money. Example: occupy wallstreet.
o
Suj: Borders – will help but makes travel hard.
o
SP: Int’l enforcement will be
helpful.
o
SP: Gov’t giving money to
children for school – should gov’t shoulder whole burden? Class discrimination
is possible
o
YM: Bioterrorism – more likely
to have multiple sexual partners. So this will spread, when after the issue.
o
MS: Make laws stricter. Even
Korea’s laws are laz. Even cutting off hands and feet might be an idea to
consider. I agree with the idea castration by medication.
o
JeWoo: International human
rights must be the same wherever people travel.
o
KM: Regulation of
advertisements and email. Putting restricting computer programs can have
issues.
o
SP: Coeducation can be a mixed
blessing and gives more opportunities for discrimination. At our school,
teachers always compare boys’ and girls’ scores.
o
DY: Mass media in international
contexts should be regulated. Giving money to poor children as a prevention
measure is too ambiguous, since then we have to define what is poor.
o
MS: Police accusing people can
endanger children’s rights of being violated in the process.
· Best of the Solutions
o
JaeWon: One of the causes is
children participating because they lack basic needs – they come from poor
families. Government should help these families with subsidies, tax breaks,
education, medical care, etc, to ease the burden on families.
o
SP: But should just the
government shoulder the burden of prevention?
o
JaeWon: No, but they do have
more of a role than currently.
o
MS: Lowering taxes for the
families is only a short-term solution. Long term would be education and basic
infrastructure of society.
o
JaeWon: Government burden
increasing is necessary if we want to eradicate the problem. We can allocate
part of government income, or we can create foundations to raise they own money
for hotels or other infrastructure.
o
MS: I meant giving money will
only be a short-term solution. Government should help family make money
themselves or by working in an industry.
o
SP: MS said it can be a short
term solution but I think that we should use indirect & direct solutions.
o
SP: Strong support system
between family, government & int’l
organization would be ideal. Give aid to families with int’l organizations
overseas partnering with local enforcement to keep it “clean”. Government in
system should oversee education offer consultation
for families. Efficiently use private organizations to help poor & offer
incentives for private companies to take part with exact and creative standards.
o
Sejin: What incentives for companies
to stop child prostitution do you recommend?
o
SP: It’s an indirect solution
that focuses on poverty instead. Advertisement, etc.
o
DY: International organizations
and creative/strict standards?
o
SP: Policies, especially at the
local level, can be influenced or not feasible but international can help
oversee.
o
Jwoo: I recommend policies to
make families more independent rather than on support
o
SP: You think families could be
too dependent?
o
Jwoo: Yes.
o
SP: Direct & indirect
solutions. Education from government can help families be more independent.
o
MS: I disagree families can become too dependent.
Also – there is a constant demand for prostitution - men need it. After families use government aid they won’t leave cycle.
Also – there is a constant demand for prostitution - men need it. After families use government aid they won’t leave cycle.
o
SP: Government campaign can be a
solution.
o
MS: I like private company
solution – it can be helpful, but I think giving aid won’t break the cycle.
o
SP: This is not detailed – it’s
just a form I am recommending, not details.
o
Suji: I think it’s similar –
int’l funding for poor families. Should be int’l vs. national/region b/c then there’s no way to make sure $/resources
are efficient/effective
o
Jwon: Why does it have to be
int’l. Why can’t nat’l govt do it properly?
o
Suji: Politics, like in Kotrs,
make the issue less clear. They just ignore the idea of funding, maybe. Int’l
will be more informed to people & more active.
o
SP: Int’l can be good, but the
range of support is ambiguous
o
Sejin: You mentioned that local
politics can be ineffective, isn’t int’l just as difficult to get people to
approve?
o
Suji: But they can be more
effective for funding.
o
Jwoo: Int’l funding for this
will be inefficient – it’s too large. Starting regional/national might be more
efficient.
o
Suji: I think nat’l &
regional progress will not be effective – more efficient, maybe, but starting big
& getting more people behind it will help make it effective.
o
MS: I think int’l is good b/c
you get a broader audience. We can solve the problem in many places rather than
just one. Example we learned a lot from researching this. This is because countries like Sweden have
good solutions, so int’l attention via int’l funding could have good effects.
o
SP: There could be some
discrimination - $ attributes to each country could be unfair - & it’s
ambiguous.
o
Suji: Why discrimination?
o
SP: The $ distributed to countries/families
will be unequal.
o
M: I think int’l funding is a
good idea. The countries that suffer from it are usually poor & other
countries can help fund.
o
DY: Solve from bottom up. World
Vision and other NGOs. Govt should implement shelters and education for
children and parents to create solid sex culture.
o
Suji: I agree that not just
children but also parents. Lack of quality education is one of the main causes.
o
Sejin: Changing the culture is
a good idea. One of the basics is the wrong cultural assumptions: unfair
inequalities between children and adults, males and females.
o
Jaewon: what are ways to
promote sound sex cultures?
o
DY: Assemble adults in shelters
& give education about how child prostitution is bad. Get right concepts
about sex.
o
Jwon: Through mass media?
Movies? TV
o
DY: Yes, but that’s a gov’t
issue especially since poorer countries/families affected are more removed from
mass culture.
o
ML: Frequent int’l labor
reforms & conferences to enforce laws & be more active in prosecuting.
These conferences even have symbolic meaning
that puts pressure on individual governments.
o
DY: Good in long run, but
conflicting interests will be present. Ex: legalizing prostitution
o
ML: Different interests, but
dialogue is valuable.
o
Jwoo: All humans with same values,
even if countries have different traditions w/ prostitution.
o
Sujin: Direct & indirect
consequences. Direction will involve more strict punishment, maybe not cutting
off hands & feet, but chemical castration & jail time
Indirect – education school subsidies. Women’s rights, equality, fertility. Might sound like it costs too much but it is a good long-term solution/investment in a country’s future.
Indirect – education school subsidies. Women’s rights, equality, fertility. Might sound like it costs too much but it is a good long-term solution/investment in a country’s future.
o
DY: Fertility rates.
o
Sujin: Might sound harsh: but
might devalue children in a family.
o
Yoonhui: Sweden has succeeded
in eliminating sex crimes by punishing men, protecting women, subsidizing women’s
in exist prostitution. It also has the highest level of women @ all levels of
govt. Basically: change it for men & women.
o
SH: Are we considering victims?
Campaign for students & sound conceptions of sex. Only 2 times a year do we
have sex education in Korea – but kids are bad. We need more practical &
effective education @ all levels, especially earlier in our education.
o
KM: Gov’t needs a lot of $ to
improve quality of edu. But sex industry is a major source income for countries.
o
DY: How would it be diff from
what we get now in the auditorium for school assemblies?
o
SP: I think it’s a good idea. Understanding
this source is difficult & changing culture is impossible.
o
SH: Raise w/ right concept of
sex will help them to be a right person.
o
JWOO: All humans are same.
Shouldn’t we learn we’re all the same by living & not education or a campaign.
Don’t you think that makes it more awkward?
o
KM: Restrict the harmful behavior
~ men who purchase sex are more likely to have more sexual partners. In my
opinion, they need it without a relationship. The sex industry is so lucrative
that it can pressure the government. Children enter the field from poverty and of
education – they can’t afford schooling. Lowering fertility rate – parents can
afford to educate. As % of children enrolled in school goes up, children
involved in prostitution goes down.
o
DY: Lowering fertility rate can
be contrary to religion/culture
o
KM: If that’s not possible,
than gov’t restriction is best solution.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Things You Should NOT Do in Korea
- Yelling for a waiter to serve you at a restaurant. You should make eye contact or say "Excuse me" politely when he/she walks by you.
- Not leaving a tip (extra money) at a restaurant, hotel, taxi, barber/hairdresser, nail salon.
- Not covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. You should cover with your hand or your elbow (elbow > hand).
- Calling your teacher "Teacher!" You should address them with Mr./Miss/Ms./Mrs. and their family name.
Things You Should NOT Do in Korea
- Tap older people's shoulders.
- Drink alcohol facing older people (you should face away).
- Start eating before older people.
- Write people's name in red (it's for dead people).
- Suntan in public places (with your clothes off >.<)
- Talk to others while you are eating.
- Call older people by his/her name.
- Give students miyeok guk (seaweed soup) on exam day.
- Cut nails the night before an exam
- Pass over old people's heads while they are sleeping. You should walk around them intead.
- Pick at the side dishes to get more delicious pieces. You should eat what is on top.
- Give things with one hand to older people. You should use two hands instead.
- Receive items with one hand from older people.
- Touch the remote control when older people are watching something.
- Fidget while you eat.
- Drink soju with many sips. You should drink it in one shot.
- Drink during the daytime.
- Drive a nicer car than your boss.
- Lift your ricebowl when you eat
- Make noise when you drink/eat soup
- Enter the master bedroom.
- Open the refrigerator in other people's houses.
- Chew gum in class.
- Speak English very fast.
**One wise male student also wrote: You should understand the woman who cleans the toilet.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Introvert and Extrovert Leader Debate
On Introverts, Extroverts and Leadership
September 24th, 2011
(led by Lee Je Woo, transcript provided by Miss Morrow. She apologizes for any misquotes. Initials are provided when possible, but may be incorrect. If you wish to have your name/initials removed, contact Miss Morrow).
The whole series is interesting. I encourage you to watch it during your own time
1) Are you and introvert or an extrovert?
LJW: Introvert. JSJ: Not sure. Extro, intro? KSJ:
Introvert. LKM: Half and half. When I see my friends, I want to join them, but
sometimes I prefer to be alone. LWC: Extrovert; I like talking. YHY: Introvert.
KJW: I think most people have both sides, especially when people are afraid of
speaking in front of others. Everyone has both, it’s just whatever’s most dominant.
2) What are some of the good or bad things of being introverted or extroverted?
LJW: When I can’t speak well, sometimes I feel lonely; I’m bad at expressing myself, but
I think deeply before speaking. It’s better to have more time to enjoy my hobbies.
: I’m an extrovert, so I’m friendly but sometimes I hurt people because I speak
too directly.
: I’m an introvert. This makes me a good listener. I tend
to be more serious. Disadvantages: I don’t have a sense of humor and I find it difficult to
help my friends when they have a hard time.
: I am both an introvert and an extrovert. I have
broader relationships with others, but I don’t have much time to think about myself.
KDY: I’m an extrovert. I like to go out and chat. This is
good because I have lots of friends and some humor. Sometimes it’s bad because I don’t think too much before talking,
so sometimes I go too far when talking with friends and I waste a lot of
studying time.
3) Have you ever been a leader? Why did you want to be one?
LJW: I wanted
to be a leader because their voices are heard, listened to, they get to make
decisions, and I thought I could change myself from being introverted to
extroverted. It worked.
KMS: Me, too. I was a class leader for three years. At
first it was difficult. I knew that I had critical ideas but I was shy to share
them. But then as a leader I became more extroverted. I learned more about
people, but maybe became more like a dictator, so now I’m an extrovert trying to become
more of an introvert.
CML: I’m an introvert, so I listen well, but I have a more
difficult time being humorous. I’m changing a little.
PSH: I had no time to be a leader in middle school,
but I envied my class leader, so I determined to be a leader and interact with
more people.
LKM: I was a leader in elementary school, but not in
middle/high school. In elementary school, I was really excited and enjoyed
having an elevated heartbeat. I liked to present in front of an audience, but
in MS/HS, it can be dangerous. A leader can be a really important role, so I
didn’t do it.
KDY: I was also a leader in elementary school, but I
preferred to step back and see what leaders are doing. It’s too stressful, but I like to
lead group projects.
KSJ: Last year I was the vice-leader of the 1-6 class.
I did it because I’d never
had the chance in middle school, but in H.S. it was a big step to becoming more
like an extrovert. I felt really nervous, but it was a chance to learn a lot
and get some great experiences. It was a great opportunity.
4) Difficulties of being a leader
LWJ: In my case, sometimes I must ask my classmates to
correct their behavior, which sounds like a command, which is bad. And I must
be very careful not to break rules, even when I’m just having fun.
KMS: I tend to break rules. A lot. And I get noticed
by teachers a lot. As a leader, responsibility means greater punishment. Also,
leaders have to listen to 40 different opinions and should embrace them all.
JSJ: Choosing an opinion to suit everyone is hard.
There is no definite right or wrong way to do something ,but you have to do
your best.
PSH: Taking responsibility is tough and going o the
teacher to hear about everything. Some have loud voices, some have quiet, but
they all have opinions and you should make decisions for them all.
CML: They expect president/v.president to do everything
for them, especially cleaning. They try to avoid their own responsibility.
PSH: I represent the class, even I don’t think so, so I shouldn’t sleep in class.
5) Which makes a better leader: an introvert or an extrovert?
KSJ: Introverts ,because they prepare more because
they are more nervous. And introverts understand other introverts, so they know
other people aren’t always
confident talking, but want their opinions heard. It’s not a disadvantage, and you
can get more comfortable as a leader. You can get over the abilities you lack,
but the skill set for being a leader is very large, so there are many things
that introverts do that can help them be good leaders.
: I agree that an introvert can be a good leader, but extroverts
can be a better one. Being a leader means standing in front, and extroverts can
be good at encouraging others. Introverts can be good about caring about
others, but sometimes you need to be harsh.
LWC: Introverted can do things well in their own way.
People can lead with whatever style.
KMS: I think a leader’s most important ability is to communicate with
others, extracting potential and ideas from other people. Drawing out ideas and
opinions of others is an important trait. Some say that introverts can
communicate in other ways, but real understanding comes from face-to-face
talking. So I think the talking ability of extroverts is a great advantage.
Introverts pass up on chances to know others because they are shy. Also,
sometimes they are more likely to make decisions more slowly, but good fast
decision skills are important.
YH: I think face-to-face is the basic way to have
communication with others. Extroverted people can act more quickly, especially with
sudden happenings or surprising events. I think being extroverted is more beneficial.
M.L.: Before discussion, I thought being extroverted
was more beneficial, but after the video and discussion, I think introverted is
better because I think they spend more time to make a better decision for
everyone. An extrovert might be too active and people may not be comfortable
following them.
SP:I agree – an extroverted leader can be too active, but I think
a CEO should have a lot of experience. I think an introvert might be good at
thinking, but not have as many experiences.
HY: Extroversion is better. Lots of people have
opinions and in order to gather and make decisions, you need to be tough and
sometimes hard, and I think extroverts tend to be those things more.
KM: I think different situations call for different
types of leaders. But I think extroverts might be better. I prefer democratic
leadership, so they must communicate and here in a way that is effective and
fair. What comes from the heads of all people is better than what comes from
the mind of one.
DY: Extroverts have more courage to infuriate and
encourage other people’s voices
and/or quiet voices that are too loud. Introverts tend to listen more, but I
think that can be too confusing.
JSJ: Out of the two different personalities, introverts
tend to be more logical and extroverts are usually more emotionally. I think
extroverts’ best
ability is to inspire people in one direction for something. It’s better to have the big picture
rather than many small details.
PSH: I agree but I think responsibility and capability
are the most important. I think extroverts have greater advantages to be a
leader easily. I think either personality can be a great leader, but extroverts
find it easier to be a great one.
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