Testimonies

Students and coworkers speak honestly about their experience with me. Only some grammar mistakes were edited.

From students:

When I saw you at the first time, I didn’t have any bias. Your facial expression was pure. I could get good English skill[s] from you. Even now, I think you were the best teacher to me. [The] specific thing I like most about your teaching is [that] your explanation was smooth. That’s why I could understand well and absorb the explanation.

I could realize the structure of English grammar easily. I could participate in English class with joy. At that time, English class was not [a] boring time for me. I could gain confidence in communicating with a foreigner.

(When asked if she would recommend me as teacher.)

Definitely, because I believe if somebody learns English from you, the person can improve one`s English skill.

Sabina, 백주현
(Adult student | Kangnam SDA, 2007)

처음 만났을때 장난 스럽게 웃던 모습이 기억이 납니다 . 항상 미소가 있던 선생님 얼굴 덕분에 . 첫인상이 따뜻하고 . 친절하게 느껴졌고 .

무엇보다도 선생님이라는 다가가기 힘든 이미지보다는 친구같은. 같은 학생같은 편안함 느낌을 더 많이 받았습니다 .

저는 그리 활발하지 않은 성격이었습니다. 하지만 외국어를 말하는데에는 무엇보다도 자신감과 용기가 필요합니다 . 선생님과의 수업덕분에 저는 그. 자신감과 용기를 얻을수 있었습니다. 특히 시험이 끝나고 나서 어떤부분이 모자라는지 차근히 설명해준 선생님덕분에 좀더 자신감을 찾을수 있었습니다.

또한 수업시간에도 강요하는 방식보다는 자연스럽게 이야기를 할수 있도록 이끌어준 분위기도 많은 도움이 되었습니다.

다른 영어수업보다 참 편하고 재미있는 수업들이었습니다. 딱딱한 수업이 아닌 보다 활동적이고 실용적인 수업이었다고 생각이 듭니다.

마치 같은 클래스 학생처럼 친구처럼 부담없이 편하게 다가갈수 있었던 선생님의 모습이 가장 좋았다고 생각합니다. 쉬는시간에도 언제든 학생들에게 먼저 얘기하고 웃던 선생님의 모습이 기억에 남습니다.

첫째는 아까 얘기햇듯이 자신감입니다. 다음으로 항상 문법위주로만 배워왔던 영어 수업이 아닌 재미있고 실질적인 수업방식덕분에 영어가 재밌다는걸.

알게 됐습니다. 지루하기만 했던 영어에, 무조건 어렵다는 영어에 좀더 흥미가 생기고 나도 할수 있겠구나 하는 마음도 얻을수 있었습니다.

마지막으로 단지 선생님과 학생이 아닌 . 반학생들과 선생님이 서로 우정을 나눌수 있었습니다. 이건 학습에 있어서 가장 중요한 것이라고 생각됩니다. 저도 교육을 하는 입장으로 선생님과 학생과의 유대관계로 인해 그만큼 학생들이 선생님을 믿고 따를수 있기 때문입니다. 그래서 마지막 우정은 그 어떤 이득보다도 저에게는 가장 좋았던 점인것 같습니다.

네. 추천하겠습니다. 무엇보다 선생님이 영어를 가르치는 열정이 있으시고 무엇보다 한국에대해서 한국 문화에 대해서 관심이 있는만큼.

더 학생들과의 관계도 친밀해질수 있다고 봅니다. 또한 강요성과 엄격한 수업방식보다는 자연스럽고 편안하게 학생들의 이야기에 귀를 기울여주는. 선생님이야 말로 가장 훌륭한 선생님이라고 생각하기 때문입니다 .

저도 기회가 된다면 마커스 선생님과 다시 영어를 공부하고 싶네요 ~

Jinni, 박진희
(Adult Student | Kangnam, 2007)

To tell you the truth, you didn’t look like a teacher. I thought you might be some student from somewhere overseas, because you did seem too young to teach students. But, I was totally wrong. You [were] one of the best teacher[s] I have met ever.

First of all, I found much fun for learning English [in] your class. I think that’s very important to learn something effectively.
Plus, as far as I remember, you had such a opened mind to learn Korean and Korean culture. That made the students [feel] friendly toward you. And you took care about our performances, such as dialogues, grammars, writings, with paying attention. That’s a big help to improve my English level.

(When asked what benefits you had as a students.)

Founding fun to learning English
Correcting many errors that I made to speak English.
Experienced new way to study English from such a new program: for example, “show & tell”.

(When asked if you would recommend me as a teacher.)

Sure. I thought you love your students and your job more that anyone. Thank you again [for] teach[ing] me!

Rose, 장하나
(Adult Student | 본 원 SDA, 2006)

He (Marcus) was [a] diligent teacher, because very early in the morning -AM6- I used to met him and Marcus was thoughtful as well as kind.

I remember his big hair style that was like [a] computer. At least I was happy at that time in class. Marcus was not angry in spite of bothering questions.

(When asked what benefits you had as a students.)

I’ve heard good messages in the morning.
I was given correction without haughty air.
I heard American native English.

I recommend him as a teacher. He has [a] humble mind and simple. He has good voice I think. That is mild and kind.

Dan, 김대철
(Adult Student | 본 원 SDA, 2006)

From coworkers:

Working with Marcus Higgs was a pleasant experience because he challenged us to challenge ourselves. A happy perfectionist, Marcus never pushed us in ways that he didn’t first push himself.

His sociable personality and infectious laugh, often lightened the atmosphere and made coming to work not a burden but a pleasure. Even after we stopped working at the same school he set a standard that many people, myself included, wanted to meet.

It was joy being his coworker and I would work with him again in a heartbeat.

Denise B.
(Colleague | Bucheon SDA, 2005)

한국에 4년여동안 살면서 한국인들의 취약한 부분을 사정없이 긁어서 입으로 고쳐 나오게 하는 그를 보면서 이 사람은 교사가 천직이라는 생각이 듭니다.
또한,무궁무진한 아이디어와 번뜩이는 재치로 동료들과도 원만한 관계를 유지하는 그를 저는 영어마을의 롤 모델로 삼았습니다.
저는 이 교사를 귀사에 적극 추천해 마지 않습니다.

Lina L., 이선정
(Colleague | English Village Yangpyeong, 2010)

If I were a team captain, I would always choose Marcus. Not because he is the most athletic but because he brings hope and inspiration to each and every team he works on. Marcus is an incredibly positive force and I will be sorry to see him leave. He will be an asset to any school, job, team he joins. Anyone would be fortunate to have him.

Vanessa R.
(Colleague | English Village Yangpyeong, 2010)

Marcus is gifted in many ways, but I especially admire him for the way he works with young ESL learners. He doesn’t force students to stretch up to his level, but he bends down to teach them in simple and clear ways they can understand. He catches the attention of students (and fellow teachers) by his passion and humor. There’s never a dull moment when Marcus is around.

Ruth K.
(Colleague | English Village Yangpyeong, 2010)

I have known Marcus for five years. He possesses an enthusiastic and sociable personality. He is responsive and pleasant to work beside. Marcus relates well to peers, and presents himself in an orderly and tidy manner.

He has served as an ESL teacher in South Korea, since 2005. He did this while I was a fellow foreign teacher at the Bucheon SDA Language Institute.

In his capacities as a teacher, he excelled in teaching and leading his classroom. Marcus possesses a passionate interest in the English educational development of children and adults and they have been found to take a keen interest in his teaching methods. Marcus also fosters a good team spirit.

I believe it would be to the credit of any organization to involve him. Any potential employer would benefit wholly from his assistance and association. I have no hesitation in recommending Marcus to any future employer.

Manny C.
(Colleague | Bucheon SDA, 2005)

Marcus possesses a natural ability to connect and communicate with people–no matter what their English level is. Not only has he demonstrated with his students–child or adult–that he can motivate them to learn English, he does it with such contagious enthusiasm, a quality that is rare to find. He truly shows concern for students’ progress.

Eunice K.
(Colleague | Main SDA, 2007)

From supervisors:

마커스는 참 인간적인 교사입니다.
삶에 대해, 사람에 대해, 그리고 사랑에 대해
깊은 혜안이 있는 교사입니다.
마커스는 말하는 방법만을 가르치지 않습니다.
그 말로 대화를 나누고, 관계를 맺고,
더 나아가 사람을 얻는 방법을 가르칩니다.
진실한 그의 마음을 알기에,
마커스 주변엔 사람들이 많습니다.
그 사람들 가운데, 영어를 통해
사랑을 가르치고 사람을 변화시키는
참된 교사 마커스가 있습니다.

Director Joe, 조정민
(Asst. Director | 본 원 SDA, 2007-2009 )

Working with Marcus for the past 5 months has truly been a pleasure. His positive attitude is contagious and constant. His dedication is apparent in every task I have seen him set his mind to. He has truly been an invaluable team member, and a dear friend. He is and will continue to be my “go to” guy for advice, encouragement and a good laugh. It is a constant pleasure to work beside him and a blessing to have him as a friend.

Kyle R.
(Foreign Coordinator | English Village Yangpyeong, 2010)

Marcus Higgs는 2007년 3월부터 2007년 6월까지 저와 함께 강남 SDA 삼육외국어 학원에서 교사로서 또 교사들을 총 책임지는 코디네이터로서 자신의 일에 책임을 다하는 모습을 보여왔습니다. 어떤 일이든지 항상 성실한 자세로 임하고 즐겁게 일을 하는 그의 모습을 통해 많은 학원생들이 그와 수업을 듣는 것을 즐겨하였으며 같이 일하는 직원들도 그를 좋아하게 되었습니다.

비록 짧은 시간이었지만 Marcus와 함께 일한 시간들은 제게 아직까지 큰 즐거움으로 남아있습니다. 만일 Marcus를 귀 학교 혹은 회사에 채용하시길 원하신다면 적극적으로 추천하고자 합니다.

다시 한번 Marcus를 추천할 수 있음을 기쁘게 생각하며 하나님의 축복이 당신의 기관과 모든 수고하는 분들께 함께 하길 간절히 바랍니다.

Director Joon, 백준
(부원장/부목사 | 강남학원 SDA, 2007)