5/6 group helps fellow ROK NCOs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Technical Sgt. Stephen Peterson interacts with students by asking questions about things that interest them here 31 Jan. Numerous Airmen from the 5/6 group take the opportunity throughout the year to assist ROK Cadets in learning English as part of the academy’s curriculum. Sergeant Peterson is the assistant non-commissioned officer in charge of radar maintenance with the 8th Communications squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon)

5/6 group helps fellow ROK NCOs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Republic of Korea Army Non-commissioned Officer Academy students repeat phrases after their instructor here 31 Jan. Numerous Airmen from the 5/6 group take the opportunity throughout the year to assist ROK Cadets in learning English as part of the academy’s curriculum. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon)

5/6 group helps fellow ROK NCOs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- A textbook used to teach Republic of Korea Army cadets English lie on a desk here 31 Jan. Numerous Airmen from the 5/6 group take the opportunity throughout the year to assist ROK Cadets in learning English as part of the academy’s curriculum. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon)

5/6 group helps fellow ROK NCOs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Staff Sgt. Jon Powell writes down common English greetings on the black board here 31 Jan. Numerous Airmen from the 5/6 group take the opportunity throughout the year to assist ROK Cadets in learning English as part of the academy’s curriculum. Sergeant Powell is the non-commissioned officer in charge of visual imagery and intrusion detection systems and wideband maintenance with the 8th Communications Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon)

5/6 group helps fellow ROK NCOs

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Technical Sgt. Richard Wagner teaches conversional English to students at the Republic of Korea Army Non-commissioned Officer Academy here 31 Jan. Numerous Airmen from the 5/6 group take the opportunity throughout the year to assist ROK Cadets in learning English as part of the academy’s curriculum. Sergeant Wagner is a test measurement diagnostic equipment laboratory chief with the 8th Maintenance Squadron, (U.S. Air Force Photo/Staff Sgt Araceli Alarcon)

Team 5/6 teaches English to ROKA Academy cadets

Published Feb. 6, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Araceli Alarcon
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Republic Of Korea Army NCO Academy, South Korea -- Airmen from Team 5/6, a group of Staff and Tech Sergeants at Kunsan Air Base volunteer time to teach Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) cadets English here Jan. 31.

A few months ago ROKA leadership added English as part of the cadet' s curriculum. When the 8th Fighter Wing was asked they were interested in volunteering, Team 5/6 jumped at the opportunity to help.

Volunteers go to the academy grounds twice a week in the evenings and teach ROKA cadets conversational English, vocabulary, sentence structure and military jargon.

Tech. Sgt. Kyle Reesman, Vehicle Operations Superintendent for the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron said that the classes started off small but quickly grew.

"At the beginning the classes were only 5 to 8 people". He said, "But in only 6 months it has grown to 3 classes of 50 to 60 people in the senior and mid level NCO group, 15 to 20 in the junior level class and 1 class for the Academy leadership."

Because the classes can be quite large, Airmen who volunteer must face a board. Where they are asked several questions to see how comfortable they are speaking in front of a crowd.

In addition to teaching English this is an opportunity for Airmen to help ROKA cadets familiarize themselves with the American culture and another way for Airmen to learn more about the Korean culture.

"I'm learning their culture and they're learning our culture," Sergeant Reesman said. "One thing I learned is when they reach a certain age it's mandatory for them to serve in the ROK Army, and unlike us we are a volunteer force."

Staff Sgt. David Bensey, weapons troop for the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron also stated that not only were they learning the Korean culture but this program was a good way for both services to interact with each other and learn the differences between one another.

ROKA cadets were very excited to have fellow NCOs teaching them English and they see this program as a great opportunity to help strengthen relationships between themselves and their American counterparts.

"Its fun learning from them" says Cadet Sok, a squadron leader at the academy. "I really enjoy the class because we are learning English together."

Volunteers also agreed that this was one of the most fulfilling things they have done since being stationed at Kunsan.

"I heard good things about this program from a friend" stated Sergeant Bensey. "Its one of the best things I have done since I arrived in Korea."

Those who are interested in teaching can contact Ms. Rosemary Song at Public Affairs or Sergeant Reesman.

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