FOR BEGINNER HIGH STUDENTS




Jeju Island is one of the most beautiful islands in East Asia. It is an excellent place for active tourism. The island has no manufacturing industry - the local people’s living comes from tourism, agriculture, and fishing. Development of many places is strictly controlled as ecology is high priority. Tourists can enjoy water sports: scuba- diving, sea kayaking, windsurfing, and parasailing.



Questions for Discussion:

1. Have you been to Jeju Island? If yes, can you describe your experience there?
2. What do you think will happen to Jeju Island in case the government agrees to set up manufacturing there?
3. What do you think will happen if Jeju Island becomes more commercialized?
4. Do you know of any programs done by the government to protect Jeju Island?
5. Do you think promoting Jeju Island for tourism runs contrary to preserving it as a natural island?
6. What are other places in the world- or in Korea- that you can compare to Jeju Island?
7. Aside from the activities mentioned above, what else would you like to do if you get a chance to spend a week on the island?

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What's wrong with being single? Little is spoken about being single, except as a condition to avoid like the plague. In the dawn of a new millennium, it's time to say what being single is really all about. Society expects every man and woman to wed, preferably before the age of 30, and to have at least one child (two is perfect). Even though the term "old maid" is no longer politically correct, many still respond with surprise if an older woman remains unhitched. The message couldn't be clearer. It's not okay to be alone. Sometimes, singles are excluded from "couples" nights or activities or they're advised to "bring a friend."

Being in a loving relationship has its benefits, no doubt about it. Someone to talk to at any given moment, someone to rub your sore shoulders after a hard day's work, someone to do things with, someone to keep you warm at night, someone to buy you gifts at Christmas time and Valentine's Day, someone to make you feel special, and someone to whisper "sweet nothings" in your ear. Financially, couples are better off than individuals, and child-rearing is a lot easier with two parents. Also, being in a relationship helps us feel "normal." You don't have to worry about playing the dating game or trying to figure yourself out (maybe); you're okay because someone else says you are.

However, being single can be a rejuvenating experience. In fact, one can't truly be successful in a relationship without being single for a time. Being single allows us to do what we want, when we want, and with whom we want without having to answer to anyone. This is because we have more time on our hands and are not avoiding looking at ourselves by focusing our energies on someone else. Basically, being single affords each of us the opportunity to discover who we are, what we do and don't like, how we deal with things, what we want out of life, what our expectations are, what our potentials and limitations are, what energizes and empowers us, and what discourages and disappoints us. The goal of being single should be to learn to fulfill ourselves, to meet our needs, and to develop as a human being regardless of whether or not we choose to enter into a relationship.

Key Vocabulary:

rejuvenating
to make young or youthful again, to restore to an original or new state
figure
to discover, to determine
child-rearing
raising a child
better off
being in comfortable economic circumstances, being in a more advantageous position, luckier
excluded
prevented from or restricted the entrance of, being removed from
unhitched
still single, not taken yet
politically correct
conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated
old maid
old lady
plague
a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by viral destruction of cells, contagious diseases

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think some people remain single?
Would you like to be single all your life?
Is it better to be single or married? Why?
What are the advantages of being single?
Do you think that single people are happier?
Do you think it is easier for man or woman to be single?
Why did you think some people prefer to be single?
Do you think that there is a soulmate somewhere for everyone?
Do you think that single people like being single?
In your country, what do people think about a woman in her 30s who is unmarried?
In your country, what do people think about a man in his 30s who is unmarried?

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READING PRACTICE

These days, people worship the temple of their body. People are so engrossed with toning their muscles. In pursuit of perfect body, they have neglected what really defines humans: intelligence. Whenever I see a muscle bound guy or well-sculptured gal sweating it out in the gym, I couldn't help exclaiming, “There goes one more brainless dinosaur on the verge of extinction".

I just can't rid myself of the stereotype that a beautiful body houses an empty head. With this health mania spreading like a cold virus, I don't feel so prejudiced. A healthy body and a functioning brain can coexist, I know, but with all narcissistic preoccupation with health, people no longer have the time to develop that gray matter between their ears. It's a reverse of the past when people were too busy making a living that they had no time to work out. But when it swung the opposite way, it went to an absurd extreme. Take this test to do determine your mental health

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

1. engrossed – preoccupied; attentive to
2. Gal – Girl
3. Narcissistic – Thinking too highly of oneself: conceited,
4. Absurd – Silly

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. What exercise do you do?
2. What are the popular forms of exercise in Korea?
3. What do you think of yoga?
4. What do you think of growth hormones such as steroids?

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It always gets my goat whenever I hear of people going on a tour to this exotic place and being so busy snapping pictures with their cameras that they fail to enjoy the experience of just “taking in the scene".

It's like this proverbial story of this couple who were asked what they felt about their trip to Paris. They said, "Oh, we were so busy taking pictures to show friends back home that we didn't have time to look around ”.

Pathetic. I think that when people are on a tour, they should never bring any kind of capture device except their naked eye. One must immerse oneself to the experience of the moment: to breathe in the air, to feel the mood, to sense the place with all its history and its promises.

Flash bulbs flashing, people crowding in for a shot, artificial smiles born on a lip that says "cheese" spoils the spirit of a spot. How would you like a silent appreciation of a sunset interrupted by a commentary from some noisy guys?

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS

1. Gets my goat - Annoy or anger someone
2. Proverbial - widely known and spoken of
3. Pathetic - Causing or deserving pity or sorrow; pitiful; sad
4. Immerse - Throw yourself into.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. Do you like to travel? Why or why not?

2. Which places have you visited? What place impressed you the most? Why?

3. Which places in the world and which tourist spots do you want to see?

4. What do you want to do the most when you travel?

5. How does the writer feel about taking pictures during the trip?

6. Do you agree with the writer’s opinion?

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