Cebu Normal University (CNU) Medellin Campus opens a new Foreign Language Classroom for a conducive learning space for its students.  

The Foreign Language Classroom is located in the 2nd floor of the CNU Medellin Campus main building. It used to be Room 7 which was renovated through the help of Dr. Kong Hwan Kim. 

Kim is a Professor Emeritus at Ajou University, South Korea who stayed at the CNU Main and Medellin Campuses from January to February 2020 as a volunteer professor to teach Korean Language and to conduct a lecture on Emerging Trends in Food Processing. 

Read related article: [Passion for teaching ignites volunteer Professor]

According to CNU Medellin Campus Director Dr. Grace Malaga, the Foreign Language Classroom used to be an ordinary classroom that underwent a total make-over. She said that the classroom used to have broken jalousie blades, no tiles, and got flooded when it rained hard due to a damaged ceiling.
 
Now, the floors are tiled and the classroom is installed with an air-conditioning unit, whiteboard, and projector screen. The windows and ceiling are also repaired and the whole room is repainted.
 
A sound-proof mini office was also constructed at the back of the room with office chairs, table, cabinet, air conditioning unit, and a lounging sofa. 

Malaga said that Kim was the one who financed the total renovation of the Foreign Language Classroom including all the pieces of furniture and fixtures therein. She said that the renovation was Kim’s way of helping the students to have a better learning experience.

She said that the renovation was conceptualized after Kim’s one-week visit to the CNU Medellin Campus where he got the chance to teach Korean language to the graduating Bachelor of Tourism Management (BTM) students.

CNU Medellin Campus Faculty and Extension Chair Maricel Rivera said that the Foreign Language Classroom was prepared to be used during the start of classes last August but the pandemic lasted way past it. 

Rivera shared that it was also the goal of Kim to push through with the renovation project to provide the campus a model classroom. 

She admitted that the classrooms in Medellin Campus have existing problems such as the ceiling. She shared that before the pandemic, she used to conduct her Korean classes in a makeshift classroom outside the campus without electricity just to accommodate the growing number of students.

There are six classrooms in the CNU Medellin Campus main building and six additional makeshift classrooms. The Foreign Language Classroom is one of the six classrooms in the main building.

Rivera said that Kim also helped in improving the service drop wire and internet cable wiring of the campus. Further, Kim has donated Korean language books in the library to aid with the teaching of Korean language which is part of the curriculum of BTM students. 

She said that she considers Kim as an epitome of a passionate educator and said that CNU Medellin is grateful for the support he has given to the campus. She said that the enhancement of the facilities will provide better instruction for the students.  

A solemn mass and blessing of the Foreign Language Classroom and the newly-constructed covered court bleachers were held during the CNU Medellin 9th Commencement Exercises on August 27, 2020, wherein Kim was invited as the Commencement Speaker.  

Read related article: [CNU Medellin virtual commencement rites: A new beginning amid difficult times]

Malaga said that the construction of the new bleachers in the covered court is made through the efforts of Congresswoman Janice Salimbangon to complete the project which her husband former Congressman Benhur Salimbangon started.

Read related article: [CNU Medellin Inaugurates its New Covered Court]
 
The Foreign Language Classroom shall be used in the conduct of Korean, Spanish, and English language classes. The classroom may also be used for faculty meetings and other purposes upon prior reservation. (JDF)