Sara Arendsen

Teaching About East Asia Seminar

TIP: Korea 11/16/06

Teacher Implementation Plan #2 Korea

Lesson: Korean Etiquette

1. I teach 7th grade social studies, which has an emphasis on Eastern Hemisphere. The course focuses on the culture, geography, history, current events, economics, and governments of the Eastern Hemisphere. The subject area I teach is a perfect match for the Teaching About East Asia Seminar. As the social studies curriculum coordinator in my middle school building, I have an opportunity and an obligation to share the information acquired during this course with others in my department.

2. Through the Teaching About East Asia Seminar I plan to use the knowledge obtained to make me a better teacher. I already have learned new and exciting ideas that will make teaching and learning a memorable experience for my students and myself.

3. In this lesson on Korea, the following State of Michigan Social Studies standards are being addressed:

MS II.1.2 Describe and compare characteristics of major world cultures including language, religion, belief systems, gender roles, and traditions.

MS II.4.4 Compare major world regions with respect to cultures, economy, governmental systems, environment, and communications.

4. Topic: Korean Etiquette

1. Objective: Students will gain an understanding of differences in social etiquette between the United States and Korea by reading about Korean etiquette and then performing skits.

2. Materials: Korean Etiquette Handouts

3. Grade Level: 7^th grade

4. Lesson Duration: Two class periods

5. Procedure:

1. Opening - Discuss with students what etiquette is in the United States. Talk about what expectations we have at meals, in conversations, greeting people, body language, business meetings, etc. Ask students if this is how everyone acts worldwide. Discuss why etiquette is different in places all over the world.

2. Put students in groups and instruct them that they will receive a handout that gives tips on Korean etiquette and culture. Instruct students that they are to create a two-part skit based on the information in their handout. The first part of the skit must be performed in a manner that would reflect a situation in American culture and with American mannerisms and the second part must be performed as Korean etiquette would dictate in the same situation.

3. Give students time to work with each another to write and rehearse the two-part skits. Make sure that students explain to their class members at the time of performance what aspect of etiquette they are performing.

4. Have students perform the skits and at the conclusion of each group's performance have students discuss the differences and similarities in each scenario.

6. Assessment:

Have students write a reflection of differences that they notice in Korean culture and etiquette compared to the United States. What were the most striking differences that they noticed?

Resources:

Be Polite; Asian Etiquettes. (2006). Korea's etiquette. Retrieved November 12, 2006.

http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/00723/index_files/Page619.htm

E Diplomat. (2006). South Korea - cultural etiquette - e diplomat. Retrieved November

12, 2006. http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette.ce_kr.htm

Daegu Metropolitan City. (2006). Korean etiquette. Retrieved November 12, 2006.

http://english.daegu.go.kr/Community/Learn/etiquette.asp

Seoul Searching. (2006). Korean etiquette. Retrieved November 12, 2006.

http://www.seoulsearching.com/culture/etiquette.html

Handout #1

Korea's Etiquette: Eating and Dining

1. It is polite to pass or accept food or drink with your right hand while your left hand supports your forearm/wrist.

2. Do not pour your own drink, but do offer to pour others'. It is common in Korea to trade and fill each other's cups. To refuse this is an insult. Women pour men's drinks, but never another woman's drink. A woman may pour her own drink. If you want a refill, drink the contents of your cup; otherwise leave some drink in the cup. Always agree to let the host of your dinner to seat you. The seat of honor is one that is facing the front door. If you get seated there it is polite to protest slightly.

3. Do not hold your spoon and chopsticks together in the same hand.

4. Do not talk too much during a meal. Koreans appreciate silence during meals.

5. Hold up your glass if someone tries to pour your glass for you.

6. When people are getting ready to be seated for a meal, let the elderly sit first. Also, start to eat after the elderly.

7. One person will pay for everyone's meal. Most people take turns doing this but you should always bring enough money to pay because you should offer to pay at least once.

8. Prepare to sing a solo after your dinner no matter how well you sing. Any song is acceptable to sing so long as you do it with spirit.

Handout #2

Korea's Etiquette: Greetings

1. Bow as a greeting. Some men also shake hands. To show respect when shaking hands, hold you right forearm with you left hand.

2. Korean women usually nod slightly but do not shake hand with Western men.

3. Bow when departing. Some young people even wave to one another (moving their arm from side to side).

4. When greeting an elder, keep both legs straight and together, put both arms stiffly by your side, keep your back straight, and bend from the waist. Keep your head down and do not look at the elder.

5. Never touch, pat, or backslap a Korean that is not a very close friend or a relative of yours.

6. To beckon a person, extend your arm with the palm down and move your fingers in a scratching motion.

7. Never point with your index finger, it is rude.

8. Do not shake hands with a hard squeeze.

9. If it is the first time that you are meeting a person give a detailed introduction of yourself.

Handout #3

Korea's Etiquette: Gift Giving

1. If you are someone who is accepting a gift, be sure to refuse a couple of times before actually accepting it. If you don't agree to take the gift a Korean will find this very insulting.

2. When shaking hands or receiving a gift from an elder, be sure to use two hands.

3. Never give pricey gifts. Koreans will give a gift back to you at the same value.

4. Be sure to wrap the gift in brightly colored paper. Yellow and green are preferred.

5. Always bring a gift for your hostess if you are invited to someone's home. Give small gifts such as candy, cakes, cookies, flowers, or fruit.

6. Do not give knives or scissors as gifts. This symbolizes the cutting off of a relationship.

7. Do not give gifts with red writing on it or red wrapping paper. The color red symbolizes death.

8. Wrapped gifts are never opened in front of the giver.

Handout #4

Korea's Etiquette: Names and Titles

1. It is impolite to call a Korean by their given (first) name. Always address a Korean using their professional titles such as teacher, general, commissioner, president, etc. Use the professional titles until you are asked to use their given names.

2. Americans are expected to address a Korean with Mr., Mrs., or Miss plus their family (last) name. Never call a person of high rank in this manner.

3. Korean names are in reverse order from Western names. Korean names have the family name first, followed by a two-part given name. The first of the two given names are shared by everyone of the same generation (brothers and sisters) in the family, the second part is an individual given name. For example: Kim (family name), Hyun (shared name), Suk (given). This makes the name Kim Hyun Suk.

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