On Monday, Nov 3, during my online session with my student, she shared her plan for preparing for the TOEFL test. I told her that since we can never retain everything we learn, the best approach is to learn as much as possible. That was how I expanded my own vocabulary back in college in the 1980s. But since she is now in her 40s with a young child to care for, I knew this method might not work for her. So today I suggested that she consult ChatGPT for a more efficient study plan.
Later I thought of my Indian student, who has a nine-year-old son. Both my Korean and Indian students invest tremendous time and energy in their children's education. I remember my Indian student telling me that her son already says he wants to become a doctor when he grows up—such an impressive aspiration at such a young age.
This reminded me of a striking contrast: one of my former colleagues, also a mother, would spend her evenings window-shopping with her boyfriend at the mall after work, leaving her two children entirely in the care of their grandparents. The difference between her approach and that of my Korean and Indian students couldn’t be sharper.
People often say, “Like father, like son,” which is saying that children grow in the environment their parents cultivate. Watching the heavy engagements of my Korean and Indian students with their children — and then thinking of my former colleague — I can’t help but wonder how differently these children’s futures may unfold, all because they have different parenting.