The best part about living in Los Angeles is...
First of all, the weather in Los Angeles is great. I can do outdoor activities all year long. Also, I can enjoy nature not far from the city. For me especially, there are very few mosquitoes so I don't need to worry about biting, and am able to go outside comfortably.
Recommend a place to visit where Korean is the native language, and tell us why you like it.
I recommend going to Korean baseball stadiums where you can enjoy the passionate cheering and cheerleaders. People become fast friends with other fans, and everyone can join in on the fun. Also, you can get seats where you grill meat and eat, or grab great food, such as fried chicken, pizza, and tacos. Plastic bags are used to cheer with, and double as a trash bag after the game. Even if you're not a sports fan, you'll have lots of fun.
What Korean film or musical artist do you recommend students watch or listen to?
BTS is now the most popular band in the world.
What most surprises your students about Korean?
Firstly, you don't need to pay tips at the restaurant or for services. Taxes are also included, so what you see on the price tag is what you need to pay. Secondly, you need to take shoes off when you visit Korean houses. Thirdly, people are surprised how easy and quickly they can learn the Korean alphabet, which is based on the sound.
What one thing would you like your students to know about you?
I've lived in Canada, England, China and now in Los Angeles and have taught Korean and English for nearly 20 years. Because of this, I am better at explaining the culture and the language differences better than most in my field.