2019-11-21 Speaking to American tourists

One of the students in TNKR gave a talk before American tourists. Her speech was great, and Q&A was even better.

A key principle of TNKR: "Look forward, not backward." We try to create a safe learning atmosphere so North Korean refugees can choose to focus on studying (in Track 1) without being questioned about North Korea. North Korean refugees have arrived, so let's engage them from the point they have found us. We discourage tutors from asking them about North Korea or asking them if they will join our English speech contest.

Some refugees do begin speaking out, so I decided to establish a public speaking program that would keep Track 1 a safe zone for refugees to study (Eunkoo and I clashed about this initially, but she now supports Track 2).

Minhee is one of the refugees who did not seek to tell her story when she first joined TNKR's Track 1. She didn't show her face and she never expressed interest in public speaking.

Later, she decided to join one of our English speech contests. After taking a short break, she returned to TNKR, more determined than ever to improve her English in Track 1 and also to become a public speaker in Track 2.

She is now a TV personality and gives speeches in English as well as Korean.

We try to arrange low-pressure, casual opportunities for North Korean refugees to practice public speaking in English. Some of them drop out after a short time, and some others end up on the TED stage.

Minhee gave a talk a few days ago to a group of American tourists. Her speech was great, but Q&A was even better. It was the difference between practice and a game.

The audience members were interrupting each other trying to get their questions out. They were so curious, they were even asking me questions and insisted that I introduce myself and how I ended up co-founding TNKR.

Minhee will be one of the speakers at a special forum on November 30 featuring North Korean refugee TV personalities.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-korean-refugee-tv-stars-speak-out-tickets-78138202467

Support TNKR: https://lovetnkr.org/donate/

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