From: Seoul, South Korea

Occupation: Translator

Why she came to the U.S.: Her husband is an economics major at MU.

Why she is taking ESL classes: To learn more about American culture and socialize with people from her own and other countries.

What she has learned from ESL: She has learned about cultures other than her own, including those of the U.S. and South America and about other Asian traditions; about Columbia Public Schools, especially parent-teacher conferences; and about specific language usages and idioms, such as “roll up the window.”

Practice outside of class: She reads books to her kids, like the Harry Potter and Little House series, and watches television shows, such as “CSI” and “West Wing.” She also regularly listens to radio broadcasts and reads newspapers and magazines.

Family: She lives in Columbia with her husband and children, who are 9 and 5.