Shirley Do Application to teach English in South Korea

(Legal name: Hong Phuong Nguyen Do) Submitted to ASK Now Inc. for placement

2710 Westgate Drive

High Point, NC 27265 USA
1.336.688.6701
hd1108@gmail.com

Objective To inspire and encourage young learners to express themselves comfortably and
confidently in English.

Skills & • Explored Hong Kong (September 2008 – December 2008)- gave private English lessons to
Qualifications children aged 7-13 after school; worked on their reading, writing and pronunciation skills
• ASIA 91: Independent Study Vietnamese, UNC-CH (Fall 2005)- served as a class
assistant and tutor to classmates; graded class assignments and prepared conversation
dialogues
• Proficient in Windows OS, Microsoft Office, HTML; able to use both Qwerty and Dvorak
keyboards; basic knowledge of French; native fluency in English & Vietnamese; experienced
traveler

Education & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH)

Honors B.A., International Studies, 2008
Second major- Asian Studies
Asian Studies GPA: 3.64/4.0 International Studies GPA: 3.44/4.0 Overall
GPA: 3.19/4.0

Study Abroad: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Spring 2006)

Gates Millennium Scholarship, News & Record Scholarship, Nido Qubein

Scholarship, Dean’s List- three semesters, International Baccalaureate (IB)
Diploma holder

Career History RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL (RTI), Raleigh, NC,

USA
& Accomplishments
Bilingual Telephone Interviewer (January 2009 – March 2009)
•Conducted research on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) through interviews, evaluations and questionnaires in
Vietnamese and English

BIOLOGICAL & BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM, UNC-CH

Administrative Assistant (January 2008 – August 2008)
• Organized, processed and updated student applications; maintained database
records of applicants’ qualifications for admission purposes; reconciled office
expenses accounts
 READING CAFÉ CO., Wuhan, China
Intern (June 2006 – July 2006)
•Wrote “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet about membership options available
at a start-up entrepreneur company offering foreign language classes, bookstore,
library and café shop
•Spent a week in Beijing, China to conduct marketing research on book-bars;
authored a competitive market analysis on their environment and quality of
service
•Trained colleagues in answering questions for English-speaking customers
•Directed the designing of company icon and promotional materials

GENERAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (GAA), UNC-CH

Student Membership Website Editor (Fall 2005)
•Edited and maintained the GAA Student Membership web page
Student and Alumni Relations Committee (Spring 2005 – Fall 2005)
•Planned and coordinated social and professional events to promote interaction
between students and alumni
•Proposed and received approval for Professional Speaker Series, bringing alumni
back to speak with students

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, UNC-CH

Fundraising Committee (Spring 2005)
•Planned and coordinated various fundraising activities, including the “Home Run
for Habitat 5K”
•Successfully raised over $3,500 to help purchase building materials

DELTA SIGMA PI CO-ED BUSINESS FRATERNITY, UNC-CH

Pledge Class Vice President of Professional Activities (Spring 2005)
•Invited professional speaker to share job experience and offer advice

Personal Interests • Cooking, gardening, dinning with friends, traveling, exploring new cultures, learning new
languages
• Church or community volunteering, especially for Habitat for Humanity
• Listening to Chinese and Korean music; watching Chinese and Korean movies/shows
Writing Section

1. Please explain why you are the right type of person to teach overseas.

My passion for writing, love of teaching and thirst for knowledge make me an ideal match for the position of Native
English Teacher in Korea. I graduated from one of the United States’ most prestigious institutions, the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008, with a Bachelor’s degree in both International Studies and Asian Studies. My
academic achievements in these two majors have led me to gain superb grammar and writing skills. These skills, along
with my native English fluency, will enable me to inspire young learners to express themselves comfortably and
confidently in English.

I have a heart for cultivating relationships and a talent for collaborating with people that would allow me to be an
outstanding addition to the school. When I was a private English tutor in Hong Kong during the fall of 2008, I worked
alongside my students in developing methods in which they could freely articulate their thoughts and feelings through
writing. I also helped them to work on their reading comprehension and pronunciation skills. On the weekends, I
volunteered with the local youth outreach program at church, serving a dual role of English teacher and mentor to the
children there. These experiences are evidence that I posses the perfect combination of energy, patience and creativity
when it comes to working with students.

The international background, global insights and exceptional interpersonal skills that I possess will enable me to
interact well with people from a wide range of cultures. I grew up in the United States and have traveled to and lived in
various places like Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. Hence, I am able to adapt quickly to new customs and
environments, making me a suitable candidate to teach overseas.

2. Please explain what qualities you think are necessary to be a good teacher.

A good teacher must not only possess excellent academic qualifications, but a high level of attentiveness, patience and
creativity as well. She must pay close attention to the progress of her students, have the willingness to guide and
encourage, and be able to make class fun and engaging.

I, however, aim to be more than a teacher; I aim to be a mentor. The expectations that parents have for today’s youths to
perform well in school and keep up a healthy academic record can be pressuring. Having experienced such pressure
growing up in the States, I hope to help students love writing and learn to use it as the ultimate way of freeing their
minds and releasing any tension that they may feel. True education is not about grades; it is about the satisfaction and
empowerment that come with newfound knowledge.

3. Please describe how you would deal with a workplace dispute with another co-worker or supervisor.

In case of dispute with a co-worker or supervisor, I would seek to speak with that person privately. I would then explain
my point of view and wait for the other person to express his or her thoughts. At the end of the conversation, I would
hope to come to a mutual agreement or compromise. If the dispute was a result of a mistake or a misunderstanding on
my part, then I would humbly apologize and request forgiveness.

4. Please describe some actions you could take if you began feeling homesick or lonely while in Korea.

I am used to traveling and being far from home for a prolonged period of time. For example, I have studied in Hong
Kong for six months, followed by a short trip to Vietnam and an internship in China in 2006. I was abroad for eight
consecutive months and found my time away to be enjoyable. So I am confident that I will not have any difficulties
being in South Korea for a year. Nevertheless, in the case that I start to feel homesick, I will call and engage in webcam
dialogues with my family and friends in the States, via Skype.
5. Do you have any other plans for your time in Korea? (Further study, hobbies to pursue, places to visit?)

During my time in Korea, I hope to go sightseeing and visit the beautiful landmarks there. I also would like to learn
more about the customs and traditions, as well as how to make the cuisine. If possible, I plan to take language classes in
my free time, especially Korean, Chinese and French (if the latter two are available).