Visiting of two Korean professionals - Mi-kyeong Jo 8P
2010-11-26
Mr Kim Sungyong (Pro 9 Dan) and Mr Lee Sungjae Baduk (Pro 9 Dan), from Korea Baduk Professional Association, visited Singapore from 11th to 13th of November. They arrived at Singapore in early morning on 11th November. After they checked-in to a local guesthouse, we went to a local food court for breakfast. In Singapore, there are many food courts selling delicious local food and many variety of food from other countries including Korean food, at low cost. Just like me, Mr. Kim enjoyed local food very much.
In the afternoon, we went to Huamin Primary School – a school that I have started teaching every Thursday since two months ago. There are 20 students in the Baduk class of the school. These students have strong interest in Baduk, that they are always very excited in asking and answering questions about Baduk. With this, the school has made Baduk as one of the main CA, with strong support from the school principal, and has set a goal for next year to win medals in Baduk competitions.
Different from Korea, technology tools such as computer and projector are common teaching tools used in most of the schools in Singapore. Therefore, I bought a netbook upon arrival in Singapore for my Baduk teaching. With the netbook, Baduk examples could be easily created once and be used repeatedly for subsequent lessons. In addition, examples that are presented using these technology tools are more appealing to students. Baduk concepts and rules could also be easily understood and remembered by students.
Recently, Singapore Baduk association has put up advertisement in local newspapers to increase public awareness of Baduk and to promote Baduk in Singapore. At this moment, the source of Baduk learners are mainly students from primary and high schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities. Regular Baduk talks are held in community clubs located in various housing estates to increase awareness among residents staying in the estates. In order to provide a convenient way of learning Baduk for working adults, few night classes are scheduled and conducted in the two easily accessible clubhouses that near MRT stations.
On 12th and 13th Nov, Mr Kim and Mr Lee played simultaneous games with Singapore players who have learned Baduk for at least three years. Singapore players were asked to put the handicaps tightly for their games. They usually play even game against professional players or just put fewer handicaps than they should put for a game. But, for these two sessions, they were asked to put more handicap than usual by Mr. Kim and Mr. Lee. Many people lost their games with many handicaps that they could not believe how they could lose their games with so many handicaps given. They had good experience of Korea style of simultaneous games, and learnt a lot from the two experienced Korea Baduk professional players. The simultaneous games for the two nights last for three hours that were the longest simultaneous game for both Mr. Kim and Mr. Lee have ever had before. This was due to Singapore players have strong sense of winning that they had played the games very hard and spend more time in their moves.
The two fruitful days allowed good exchange of information between Singapore players and the two Korean professional players, in many areas not just only Baduk, but also culture and local law and ruling of the two countries. It has definitely enhanced the relationship between Singapore Weiqi Association and Korea Baduk Association, and has paved the path for both associations to work closely in promoting Baduk further in Singapore.
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In the afternoon, we went to Huamin Primary School – a school that I have started teaching every Thursday since two months ago. There are 20 students in the Baduk class of the school. These students have strong interest in Baduk, that they are always very excited in asking and answering questions about Baduk. With this, the school has made Baduk as one of the main CA, with strong support from the school principal, and has set a goal for next year to win medals in Baduk competitions.
Different from Korea, technology tools such as computer and projector are common teaching tools used in most of the schools in Singapore. Therefore, I bought a netbook upon arrival in Singapore for my Baduk teaching. With the netbook, Baduk examples could be easily created once and be used repeatedly for subsequent lessons. In addition, examples that are presented using these technology tools are more appealing to students. Baduk concepts and rules could also be easily understood and remembered by students.
Recently, Singapore Baduk association has put up advertisement in local newspapers to increase public awareness of Baduk and to promote Baduk in Singapore. At this moment, the source of Baduk learners are mainly students from primary and high schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities. Regular Baduk talks are held in community clubs located in various housing estates to increase awareness among residents staying in the estates. In order to provide a convenient way of learning Baduk for working adults, few night classes are scheduled and conducted in the two easily accessible clubhouses that near MRT stations.
On 12th and 13th Nov, Mr Kim and Mr Lee played simultaneous games with Singapore players who have learned Baduk for at least three years. Singapore players were asked to put the handicaps tightly for their games. They usually play even game against professional players or just put fewer handicaps than they should put for a game. But, for these two sessions, they were asked to put more handicap than usual by Mr. Kim and Mr. Lee. Many people lost their games with many handicaps that they could not believe how they could lose their games with so many handicaps given. They had good experience of Korea style of simultaneous games, and learnt a lot from the two experienced Korea Baduk professional players. The simultaneous games for the two nights last for three hours that were the longest simultaneous game for both Mr. Kim and Mr. Lee have ever had before. This was due to Singapore players have strong sense of winning that they had played the games very hard and spend more time in their moves.
The two fruitful days allowed good exchange of information between Singapore players and the two Korean professional players, in many areas not just only Baduk, but also culture and local law and ruling of the two countries. It has definitely enhanced the relationship between Singapore Weiqi Association and Korea Baduk Association, and has paved the path for both associations to work closely in promoting Baduk further in Singapore.
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