Self-esteem is based on your opinion of your abilities and your worth as a person. High self-esteem mean that you feel good about yourself. This is important to your well-being.

How can you improve your own self-esteem, as well as the self-esteem of people you care about? Here are some suggestions:

• Think positively about yourself and accept compliments that point out your strengths and abilities. For example, if someone says they think you have good taste in clothes, don't laugh and say "These old things?" Just smile and say "Thank you."
• Be realistic about what you can do. Trying to be perfect can lower your self-esteem. For example, you might get a poor mark on a math test. That doesn't mean you are incapable; it just means you have to work harder.
• Recognize that everyone makes mistakes. When you make one, don't berate yourself. You can learn from your mistakes.
• Listen carefully to others without judging.
• Respect people's differences. Recognize their talents and accomplishments.
• Support and encourage other people's efforts to learn new things.
• Give people in your family unconditional love. For example, when your brother does something wrong, make it clear that you dislike the behavior but you still love your brother.
• Spend time with people who make you feel good. Do things that make you feel worthwhile.

One way to look at how we deal with ourselves and other people is to think about giving and getting "strokes." Some strokes are positive and make us feel good; others are negative and make us feel bad. We give ourselves positive strokes when we like how we look or when we eat healthy food. We give ourselves negative strokes when we complain about our weight or when we don't exercise.

Decide that you deserve to live life to its fullest, and enjoy giving yourself positive strokes. Some of the best strokes are small, everyday things: physical activities that are fun and easy to do; eating experiences that nourish your spirit as well as your body; and telling yourself things that boost your self-image.

Giving yourself, your family and your friends positive strokes is a good habit. And it is a good way to improve self-esteem.

Discussion Questions

 1. Do you have high or low self-esteem?

 2. Has your self-esteem changed over the years?

 3. What are some reasons people have low self-esteem?

 4. What do you think would have the highest self-esteem of the following people:

     a lawyer/ a chief/ a famous actor/ a professional football player/ a student

 5. Who would have the lowest self-esteem of those people?

 6. Have you ever done something to damage your self-esteem?

 7. Have you ever given your self-esteem a boost? How?

 8. Which of these are best and worst for your self-esteem?

     passing a test/ getting your driver's licence/ Korea winning a soccer game/

     wearing nice clothes/ getting sick/ losing your boy/girl friend.

 9. What's the best thing that could happen to you?

10.What's the worst thing? 

Conversation Questions "Entertainment"

What is the most popular drama/comedy/game show in your country, and what is the story-line (drama) or format (game show)?
Have you ever been to the theater?
What are some of the good movies you have seen?

Do you like to watch cartoons?
How often do you read comic books?
What did you watch on TV yesterday?
What is one of your favorite TV shows?
Why do you like it?
When is it on?
Does your family like it, too?

Do you listen to classical music? Why or why not?

Have you ever been to Everland?
What are some of the most popular amusement parks in your country?


How far in advance do you begin planning a vacation?

How often do you visit museums? When was the last time?

Is gambling legal where you live?

Do you often go drinking? Where? Who with? How often?

What do you do in your spare time?
What are some things you can do without spending a cent?

What computer games have you played?
Which are your favorites?

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

What kind of music do you like?
What singer would you most like to meet?

Who are some of the famous actors and musicians in your country?
Who are some of your favorite actors and actresses?
Who is the most popular entertainer in your country?

What do you do for fun?

Singing Class

Sanga brings her friend, Jihui, along to her weekly singing class. This is how Sanga releases her stress despite the fact that she's tone deaf.

*writing1
1. 넌 내가 아무리 노력해도 음을 못 맞추는 것을 알잖아.(carry a tune)

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2. 내 친구는 고소공포증이 있어서 아무리 노력해도 롤러코스터 타는 데 데려갈 수 없다.(for the life of one)

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3. 하지만 너는 큰 소리로 노래부르는 방법은 확실히 알고 있지.(belt out)

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*Dialog
Jihui: I can't believe you dragged me into this class. You know I can't carry a tune for the life of me.

Sanga: That's exactly why you need to take this class. It's not only fun but it's a great outlet for all the stress we get during the week. Did you know that I'm tone deaf, by the way?

Jihui: Seriously? You never told me that. But you sure know how to belt it out.

Sanga: Years of practice, my friend. It's really not about how well you sing here. It's just about singing for the fun of it.

Jihui: Boy! These ajumas are getting down with the music. Hey, our instructor is pretty hot. You know I have a soft spot for good-looking instructors.

Sanga: I know you do. I knew you'd like it here.

*writing2
4. 모든 사람들이 노래방에 가는 것을 좋아하지만 나는 음치이기 때문에 좋아하지 않는다.(singing room)

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5. 도대체 나는 그녀가 그 사람의 뭘 보고 좋아하는지 이해하지 못하겠다.(see in someone)

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6. 큰 소리로 노래를 부를 수 있는 최고의 장소는 샤워부스 안이나 차 안이다.(in the shower)

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She really has a way with words.

*writing1
1. 그녀는 정말 말솜씨가 좋아요.(have a way with)

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2. 하지만 그녀가 너무 말을 많이 해서 말하는 데 끼어들 수가 없었어요.(get a word in edgewise)

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3. 내 말이 그 말이에요.(take the words right out of my mouth)

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*Dialog
Jill: I had lunch with our neighbor, Patty, the other day. I didn't realize how well she spoke. She really has a way with words.

Jack: So she's articulate.

Jill: Exactly. But she talked so much that I could hardly get a word in edgewise. She rambled on and on for two hours.

Jack: You mean she's verbose?

Jill: Took the words right out of my mouth. I think I said only a few words during that whole lunch. But I must say, she's sharp and has achieved tremendously in such a short period of time.

Jack: Very accomplished, huh?

Jill: She seems like a good person but I don't think I'll be having lunch with her for a while.

*writing2
4. 내 여동생은 아이들을 잘 다루기 때문에 소아과 의사는 그녀에게 완벽한 직업이다.(pediatrician, profession)

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5. 저도 의견을 말할 수 있도록 말 좀 하게 해 주시겠습니까?(voice my opinion)

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6. 내가 막 하려는 말을 한 걸 보니 너는 마음을 잘 읽는 사람임에 틀림없어.(mind reader)

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Badminton Club

Jungi is part of a badminton club and enjoys exercising and being in the company of people from all sorts of backgrounds. He especially enjoys the food that the ajumas pack for him.

*writing1

1. 사회 각계각층의 사람들이 있다니까.(all walks of life)

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2. 넌 꽤 운동신경이 좋으니까 배드민턴에 대해서도 좀 알고 있을 것 같은데.(know a thing or two)

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3. 코를 납작하게 만든다니까.(put ~ in one's place)

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*Dialog

Jungi: I'm meeting my badminton club buddies at the Han River in half an hour.

Debby: Any cute girls in the club?

Jungi: Sadly, no cute girls but we do have a great mix of members. We have people from all walks of life. We have an exchange students, some retired folks and ajumas. and a taxi driver.

Debby: That's quite an eclectic group. Since you're so athletic, I'm sure you know a thing or two about badminton.

Jungi: I though I did. Those ajumas are fierce, man. They put you in your place.

Debby: You mean they beat you in badminton?

Jungi: Yeah, all the time! But I don't mind since they always pack me something to eat when we meet. No need to worry about dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

Debby: Now I see why you joined.

*writing2

4. 준기의 배드민턴 클럽은 젊은 대학생뿐 아니라 모든 계층의 사람들을 위한 클럽이다.(not only A but B)

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5. 나는 학급에서 가장 똑똑한 학생은 아닐지 모르지만 미국 역사에 대해서는 좀 안다.(may not be)

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6. 부모들은 종종 자녀들이 분수를 알도록 할 필요가 있다.(from time to time)

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Hiking

When it's fall, it's the perfect time to go hiking. Uncle Lee and his nephew have joined up to go for a hike in a local mountain and it seems that the nephew can't keep up with his much older uncle.

*writing1

1. 삼촌은 정말 상황에 맞게 준비를 잘 하셨네요.(decked out)

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2. 등산을 할 때는 항상 옷을 잘 갖추어야 해.(look the part)

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3. 전 벌써 숨이 차요.(run out of breath)

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*Dialog

Uncle: Have you ever hiked this mountain before?

Nephew: To be honest, I haven't hiked any mountain, Period.

Uncle: You kids are so glued to your computers these days that you don't do anything outdoors anymore. You need to get out and explore the great outdoors.

Nephew: Boy, you're really decked out for the occasion. Someone might mistake you for a professional hiker in that outfit.

Uncle: You always need to look the part when you go hiking. This is the norm for all the hikers around my age.

Nephew: Could you slow down a bit? I'm already running out of breath here.

Uncle: Are you telling me you can't keep up with your Uncle Lee?(teasingly)

*writing2

4. 당신은 한강을 따라 사이클 장비를 완전히 갖춘 사람들을 항상 발견할 수 있다.(gear, along)

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5. 당신이 등산 매니아들과 함께 있다면 잘 차려입는 것이 중요하다.(serious)

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6. 마라톤을 하는 중에 1킬로미터를 뛰고 나면 나는 숨이 찼다.(during)

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