NSLI-Y 2022 Korea – Week 4
This week for our cultural activity we visited a preserved hyanggyo. Hyanggyos were government run schools established all over Korea during the Joseon Dynasty for the education of the aristocracy. In hyanggyos sons of the noble class prepared for the government examination, studied Confucian thought, and were taught the proper manners of the elite. We learned about the traditional forms of the Korean tea ceremony and had got to taste the prepared tea. Instructors at the hyanggyo taught us the rules for bowing properly, which change depending on the situation. The students were able to try on hanbok, traditional Korean dress, and practice the steps of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. After we visited the hyanggyo, we went to a Korean restaurant and had bulgogi, Korean grilled meat.
Jayden and Abby dressed in traditional wear for the bride and groom.
This style of clothing was restricted to the noble class, but commoners could wear it once in their life—on the day of their wedding.
Brandon, Abby, and Jayden pose in a tableau of a shattered wedding, wearing Hanbok.
Abby and our student assistant, Sanghoo.
Jayden and Daniela with several volunteers of the hyanggyo, wearing traditional dress and showing the popular “finger heart”.
Liam and Brandon. Liam is wearing the official clothing reserved for those who have passed the government examinations. Brandon is wearing the school uniform for students of the noble class.
Student pose for a group photo using the proper hand position for a formal setting. For boys, they stand with the left hand over the right. Girls stand with the right hand on the top.
Jayden, Liam, and Brandon learn how to bow properly.
Thu, Maija, Gabby and Jayden. Thu (left) is “scolding” the “misbehaving” Jayden (right).
Students learning the traditional tea ceremony.
Tasting the tea.
In front of the hyanggyo gate.
In our weekly meeting we discussed the vast number of islands that surround the Korean peninsula and related them to the historical figure Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Admiral Yi was a renowned admiral and military general during the Joseon Dynasty, most famous for his many naval victories during the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea. Yi fought most of these battles in and among the islands off the southern edge of the peninsula and is regarded as one of the greatest naval commanders in history; and as a national hero of Korea. The students were able to learn about these events and shared ideas about other historical figures that could be compared to Admiral Yi.
For the peer language partner activity this week the students and their partners worked together to create a visual guide to study for their upcoming test.
Emilyn’s study guide.