What brings joy to the classroom? Some might say it is being in the same class as your friends, doing hands-on activities that require you to think outside the box, not having assigned seats, and doing anything other than reading, writing, or math. However, since I began teaching three years ago, the thing that brings the most joy and excitement to my classroom space is K-pop. Now, although I am ARMY— incorporating K-pop in the classroom wasn’t just to showcase my passion for BTS. It was also to open up my students to the world of K-pop and introduce them to a culture that is much more than just music and dance.
As an intermediate teacher of students aged ten through to thirteen, here in New Zealand, it is a requirement of the curriculum that students in this age group learn a second language. At first, learning this was very daunting. I was in my first year of teaching, had my own classroom of thirty-two students (for the very first time), and on top of all of that, I was expected to deliver a second language. When choosing what to do, I asked myself: “What am I willing to learn with my students? What can I deliver that is going to engage my students and get the best results out of them? What will I enjoy teaching?” After pondering these questions, I chose to put my passions first and teach Korean. This is how K-pop in the Classroom came about.
Now, I didn’t just teach K-pop in the classroom. I would first teach my students a little bit about Korean history and how to ask and answer simple questions like: 이름이 뭐예요? (What is your name?) or 어떻게 지내세요? (How are you?). I felt that by exposing my students to the history and language of South Korea they would learn to be more respectful, appreciative and open to making connections with another culture. After all, there are a lot of great things that come out of South Korea and K-pop is just one of many.
In my first two years of teaching a second language, BTS had a dominant presence in those unit plans. Last year (2021) I really understood how effective K-pop in the classroom could be, and that’s why I chose to incorporate more artists. Including other boy groups like Big Bang and Shinee, girls groups like (G)I-DLE and Twice, and even solo artists like Lisa from Blackpink, gave my students an opportunity to listen to/cover dances from a range of artists, and not just BTS. For the majority of the students that I have taught, being involved in this type of learning would most probably have made it their first time ever hearing K-pop.
I learned that delivering K-pop in the classroom teaches you many life skills, that is why I used K-pop to teach my students executive functions. Executive functions are mental skills that help you learn or complete daily tasks like getting ready in the morning. Skills like time management, how to plan/prioritize, how to use your working memory, and how to set/achieve goals are some of the skills my students develop through K-pop. K-pop has also helped them to build teamwork, leadership skills, communication skills, and confidence. In addition, using K-pop in the classroom creates an environment that is safe for all of my students to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and be themselves.
If there is anything that I have learned through being an ARMY, it is to “Love Yourself,” and that is what I enjoyed most about this learning. My students got a chance to throw their textbooks aside and learn skills through a different medium. They were able to let loose and really show who they are (because sometimes that can be difficult when you’re in a classroom of thirty-two). Not only were my students able to be themselves, but they got to see me in a different light, and I got to know them more as individuals and not just as another pupil on my class roll.
Being an ARMY has also helped me to understand how hard BTS members have worked to be where they are today. In the K-pop industry, the obstacles trainees have to overcome to debut as an idol shows true dedication to their dreams. The commitment they have towards achieving these is what I use to persuade my students in understanding that the effort they put in will show in the results they receive (across the board). It also teaches my students about setting goals and reaching them. No matter how grand it is, it "IS" possible.
Yes, for me K-pop brings joy to the classroom. K-pop also brings joy to my life. Now some might think differently, but I know there will be others out there who totally agree with me. So for those out there who don’t— let me leave you with this, what brings joy to your life?
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Written By: Jasmine
Edited By: Esma
Checked By: Aury
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