Josh Eui Yong Jung, an alumnus from Korea, said his experience at BYU–Hawaii was instrumental as he applied the methods he learned from TESOL to teaching his students enrolled in EIL (English International Language) courses.
Upon Jung’s graduation from BYUH, he began work at the English Language Center in Provo, Utah. Jung taught English there until the end of his contract.
Seeking new opportunities to grow, Jung contacted his professors at BYUH for job referrals on the island. Then, Jung was offered the chance to teach EIL classes at BYUH.
Jung said grading was sometimes overwhelming, but the difficulties seemed minimal because of his love for teaching.
“I loved every moment of my time there because I had just recently graduated from BYUH, and I was back already but as a teacher.” He said the best part of the job was building one-on-one relationships with his students.
Jung said he had always had a strong interest in the English language. “When I decided to go study abroad, I applied to BYUH because I knew I wanted to do TESOL as my major.”
For Jung, his desire to teach English as a career began as he was serving in the Toronto Canada East Mission. While serving, he taught English classes for free.
“I felt so happy when my students were excited to see their progress as they learned English from me. So, when I started the program, it was really difficult, but I think I had a strong motivation to be a good teacher. I think the professors at BYUH had a positive influence on me.”
Currently, Jung is finishing up his master’s program at BYU in Provo and is working to finish his thesis.
Jung’s example to his friends
One of Jung’s friends, Bosub “Boston” Yoon, a senior from South Korea majoring in biology, expressed his gratitude for his friendship with Jung. Yoon shared Jung was a great example to him during their time at BYUH.
Yoon said, “I can tell he was extraordinarily diligent as a student and a faithful believer. Josh and I were in the same ward during my first semester. He was a member of the ward council, and I had the blessing to join the council meeting with him for my calling as a Sunday School president.”
Yoon described Jung as diligent and proactive, saying he was active and a morning person. Yoon said, “The ward council meeting was held every Sunday early morning at 7…. When I went to the meeting, he was always there earlier than me, and sometimes he even woke me up outside the unit whenever I overslept.”
Yoon also described Jung as a firm believer who held his standards high. He said, “Whether he recognizes it or not, his firm, strong faith and example influenced me a lot.”
Clifton Tokoara, an alumnus from the Cook Islands, said, “Josh is fun to work with. He is very determined, and he is good at what he does.”
Tokoara, who worked with him in their assigned ward, said Jung loves God. “He was a Sunday teacher and taught in the elder’s quorum. We both had the same values, and it just clicked.”
Sam Clayton, an alumnus from Colorado who was also in the Laie YSA 11th Ward with Jung, said, “He is awesome, one of the nicest people I know. He lived in the hale unit right next to ours, so he would visit a lot. He was super-friendly and open about talking and hanging out.”
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