Here is an essay I wrote in Korean class (with the teacher’s corrections). My English translation is below.
(Note: In these kinds of essay I write in Korean, I consciously try to copy the writing style of a Korean student of 7th-9th grades, of whom I’ve taught many and of whose essays (in English) I’ve read very many. I figure that copying their style can smooth things over as I attempt to write in a language that is notoriously difficult for us. / In other words, if a student wrote the below in English, I would have certain criticisms of it, but… / I put myself at your mercy!)
(Note: In these kinds of essay I write in Korean, I consciously try to copy the writing style of a Korean student of 7th-9th grades, of whom I’ve taught many and of whose essays (in English) I’ve read very many. I figure that copying their style can smooth things over as I attempt to write in a language that is notoriously difficult for us. / In other words, if a student wrote the below in English, I would have certain criticisms of it, but… / I put myself at your mercy!)
인터넷의 장점/단점[2014년9월]
인터넷을 사용하는 사람이 재미있게 시간을 지낼 수 있지만 단점도 있습니다.
인터넷을 사용하는 사람이 재미있게 시간을 지낼 수 있지만 단점도 있습니다.
첫 번째, 인터넷의 단점에 대해서 이야기하고 싶습니다. 인터넷에 뉴스, 게임, SNS, 등 정말 많습니다. 그래서 사람이 컴퓨터를 켜자마자 여러 웹사이트를 확인 하려면 시간이 많이 필요합니다. 날마다 인터넷을 많이 사용하는 사람은 친구를 직접 만날 수 없습니다. 인터넷을 하기만 하는 사람 중에 성격이 나쁜 산밤이 있습니다.
그렇지만 인터넷에 대해서 좋은 점도 있어서 여기부터 장점에 대해서 이야하고 싶습니다. 인터넷에서는 게임을 즐겁게 할 수 있습니다. 예를 들면 스타크래프트를 하고 싶으면 인터넷이 필요합니다. 게임 외에로 뉴스를 아주 쉽게 볼 수 있습니다. 또 페이스북이나 카카오톡을 하기 위해서 인터넷을 자주 사용합니다.
인터넷이 없으면 우리 생활은 많이 불편해질 겁니다. 그렇지만, 인터넷은 장점도 있고 단점도 있기 때문에 잘 사용해야 합니다. [끝]
English Translation:
Internet Pros and Cons [Written: September 2014; translated from Korean original]
People who use the Internet can spend their days enjoyably, but there are also some drawbacks.
Firstly, I want to discuss a negative thing about the Internet. On the Internet, there are really a lot of news sites, games, and “social networking sites” [acronym in Korean: SNS]. Therefore, as soon as a person turns on the computer, he or she checks various websites and this take up a lot of time. Those who use the Internet very frequently won’t have the chance to meet friends face to face. Among those who are always on the Internet, many have bad personalities.
Nevertheless, there are also good points about the Internet and now I want to discuss one. On the Internet, we can enjoy playing games. For example, if a person wants to play “Starcraft”, he will need the Internet. Besides games, it is also very easy to read the news. In order to use Facebook or Kakao Talk [a Korean instant messenger program] we also use the Internet frequently.
Without the Internet, our daily lives will be (sic) much less comfortable. Be that as it may, because the Internet has both pros and cons, we should use it wisely. [End of Essay]
And the originals:
People who use the Internet can spend their days enjoyably, but there are also some drawbacks.
Firstly, I want to discuss a negative thing about the Internet. On the Internet, there are really a lot of news sites, games, and “social networking sites” [acronym in Korean: SNS]. Therefore, as soon as a person turns on the computer, he or she checks various websites and this take up a lot of time. Those who use the Internet very frequently won’t have the chance to meet friends face to face. Among those who are always on the Internet, many have bad personalities.
Nevertheless, there are also good points about the Internet and now I want to discuss one. On the Internet, we can enjoy playing games. For example, if a person wants to play “Starcraft”, he will need the Internet. Besides games, it is also very easy to read the news. In order to use Facebook or Kakao Talk [a Korean instant messenger program] we also use the Internet frequently.
Without the Internet, our daily lives will be (sic) much less comfortable. Be that as it may, because the Internet has both pros and cons, we should use it wisely. [End of Essay]
And the originals:
