Preserving Roots through Language, Connecting with the World through Literature by Ms. Mijeong Sim

Preserving Roots through Language, Connecting with the World through Literature

Language carries culture, history, and the lived experiences of people. It is therefore far more than a tool for communication; it is a vital lens through which we come to understand the world. In an international school environment, where students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds learn and communicate primarily in English, the opportunity to study not only one’s mother tongue but also world literature through that language holds a meaning that goes well beyond academics.

Wellington College International Pune (WCI Pune) is a school that values cultural identity alongside academic excellence. The school actively supports parents and students in leading cultural events such as Lunar New Year or Chuseok, and encourages participation in a wide range of activities that reflect multicultural values. Through these experiences, students are able to share their cultural backgrounds naturally and feel respected within the community. In this environment, Korean students are able to preserve their language and culture while growing confidently as members of a global community.

The school also takes into careful consideration students’ academic continuity and cultural adjustment, particularly for those who may return to Korea or pursue higher education elsewhere. Through regular Parent–Teacher Consultation (PTC) and ongoing channels of communication between teachers and parents, the school provides thoughtful guidance and support tailored to students’ needs. This consistent communication fosters trust among the school, students, and parents alike. Experiencing this firsthand, I feel a deep sense of pride in being part of the Wellington community and in witnessing how attentively the school cares for each individual student.

At WCI Pune, I teach IBDP Korean A, where I see Korean students engaging deeply with a wide range of world literature, including Korean, French, and English-language works. Just as 19th-century Russian short stories by Leo Tolstoy resonate with the poetry of the 20th-century Korean poet Yun Dong-ju in their shared reflections on history and human suffering, Korean writer Cho Se-hui’s The Dwarf converses meaningfully with Albert Camus’s The Stranger, as both works explore themes of alienation and human pain. Through such encounters, literature becomes a space of shared reflection and quiet consolation. In this way, students expand their worldview and come to understand the world with greater depth and complexity.

In the classroom, students develop critical thinking and insight through diverse literary approaches. They analyze literary devices as if examining them under a microscope, while also evaluating the historical and cultural messages conveyed by authors, much like viewing the broader context through a telescope. Through this process, students come to understand literature more precisely—and, ultimately, the world itself. These learning experiences form an essential foundation not only for university studies but also for the key competencies required in an ever-changing global society. Through literature, students learn to appreciate diversity, develop a balanced perspective, and grow into mature learners equipped with insight that transcends time and place.

In addition, in my role as the Korean Liaison, the school entrusts me with supporting communication between the school and Korean parents, and with helping Korean students settle and grow confidently within an unfamiliar cultural environment through the school’s well-structured and collaborative support system. I also work closely with teachers of other subjects, maintaining ongoing communication to support students’ academic progress and overall school life. Observing these students grow and flourish through such collective care brings me great professional fulfilment.

Language helps students preserve their roots, and literature connects them to the wider world. At WCI Pune, through both language and literature, I look forward to seeing students grow into global citizens who move confidently into the world without losing sight of who they are.