The fool that is really an apple:Development for those who remained in Korea was an uphill battle, but second generation parents, confronted with nuances of the society around them, began trying a new tack. Their parents would not permit them to use the Korean language, but the Chinese community is faced with ruin. With the constant emigration of their neighbors and their children watching Korean TV programs and commercials every day, third and fourth generation children can never match their parents' fluency in Chinese.
Out on the playground, Korean is the tongue used for every game of baseball and jump rope. And in the vast majority of "Chung-Han" (mixed marriage) households, the switch is being made from Chinese to Korean. First grade teacher Hu Wen-ai points out that the incoming pupils must use a combination of Korean and the Shantung dialect in order to get along in class. Another common occurrence is students' not recognizing the Chinese word for "apple" (which they eat daily). If the Korean word is used (which literally translates as "fool"), they understand immediately.
This downgrade in language proficiency, along with less favorable conditions for ethnic Chinese, has reduced the ratio of those returning to Taiwan for higher learning from 80 percent to 50 percent. Now that speaking and listening in the Korean language is no longer an obstacle, half of these Chinese kids will opt for advanced education in Korea. However, writing is still a weak point. What is more, over their 12 years of schooling, they will come across terms in the textbook such as lichee, pipa, etc., for which there is no historical equivalent in Korea, and this will cause them to perceive their life there as one in a foreign land. Will their education that calls to mind the homeland cause them a dual embarrassment? The breaking of diplomatic relations gives rise to other concerns. For example, their carrying Taiwan passports will lead to problems when they apply for local schools or scholarships.
A turbulent semester:"The times are changing, and we must adjust. The children themselves will have to decide whether to return to Taiwan, remain in Korea or set out for America," declared matriarch Chang Shu-chen of the changes in young minds. In bygone days parents offered their children one and only one path: returning to Taiwan. They did not believe that children should know Korea's language and become accustomed to its lifestyle. With a heavy heart she says, "We no longer think of the children being educated this way." If half of them stay in Korea, they will have to compete with the locals for money, perhaps even outdo them, so as to obtain opportunities.
School is in session, and after the din has died away, the students will be back to business as usual and will in natural science class be able to tell how many triangles and quadrangles are in the national flag. In math class they will calculate how many colors it has; in art class, they will paint its colors, in music, sing the national anthem.
Outside the classroom the snow is flying and the workmates yell, "Look at the dog at the embassy wall. He's coming to school."
[Picture Caption]
P.117
At opening ceremonies for the second semester of the 1992-93 academic year, children sing their school song inside the auditorium; outside Chinese community leaders sing "San Min Chu I" and hoist our national flag one last time.
P.118
Northerly latitude and cold climate mean half of each school year is spent with a furnace going all day in every classroom. The water bucket atop the stove prevents air from becoming too dry and provides a place to boil water.
P.118
Second-generation parents send children for Chinese-language primary schooling, but the Korean tongue dominates a game of jump-rope.
P.119
In the Myongdong District, most prosperous in Seoul, surrounded by skyscrapers, will the future be like the present, with freedom to choose our own curriculum?
P.120
The Chinese Primary School and erstwhile embassy are separated by one wall.
P.120
A huge morning gala marks Double Tenth Day each year; a sports meet follows in the afternoon, drawing crowds of enthused overseas Chinese to the school grounds. Pictured is the 1977 festival. (photo courtesy of Chin Yu-kwang).
P.121
Map of the Chinese Primary School in Seoul
Lokcheon Department Store
Embassy compound
Primary school for overseas Chinese
Myongdong subway platform
Chinese language newspaper
Shoe stand
Korean Central Post Office
Overseas Chinese Service Committee headquarters
Chinese Benevolent Association
Chinese Cultural Artifacts Company
drawing by Lee Su-ling
P.122
Owner of grocery featuring Shantung baked wheat cakes says the kids no longer even recognize such things.