In Vietnamese

A STORY ABOUT AN AMERICAN EDUCATORS

INTEREST IN VIETNAM'S CULTURE.

by DAM TRUNG PHAM

Educator William R Eubank uses "The Tale of Kieu" to teach English to Vietnamese students at the James Bowie High School at Arlington (TEXAS).

Mr. William R. Eubank is an American educator interested in Asian culture. He is nearly fifty years old. His wife is Chinese. He taught English for many years in China. At this time he is an English teacher of Vietnamese students at James Bowie High School in Arlington. Arlington is a wealthy city located between Dallas and Fort Worth. I Have met Mr. Eubank several time concerning the establishment of a Vietnamese library at school where he is teaching - Last Saturday, April 8th, he gave a talk about the topic "Lessons from the Tale of Kieu" at a meeting for E.S.L. teachers at the University of North Texas (Denton).

Mr. Eubank is a talented and kind teacher. Through out his lecture he conveyed a deep knowledge about the real value of a progressive education. At the break time, I ask him about his reasons for using the bilingual Vietnamese and English "The Tale of Kieu" translated by Mr. Thong Huynh for instruction in his English IV class. He said: "I am fortunate to teach English to many Vietnamese students at Arlington." With his sincere voice, he continued; "The Tale of Kieu" is a famous piece of Vietnamese literature. By using this literature, I want to show the students that the Vietnamese culture has real value and they can be proud of it. Beside, the students as well as their parents are knowledgeable about "The Tale of Kieu" so when they read the translation of Professor Thong Huynh, all of students easily understand the story and can focus on the English." I agree with Mr. Eubank that his style of teaching is very useful because students can review native literature and learn more English as a Second Language.

In the past month, twenty Vietnamese students (grades 11 and 12) used English as they analyzed and evaluated "The Tale of Kieu". Students also wrote a theme to describe the two sisters, Thuy Kieu and Thuy Van. They also discussed the theory of tuong do in the old Asian society and in the present situation of the United States of American.

All of the students were very interested and proud of studying two languages at the same time at a high level of knowledge. Student Hanh Nguyen said: "This book helps to remind me of where I come from, what I am, and what am going to be. It helps me understand a part of Vietnamese tradition that I need to preserve. Kieu displays one good characteristic that I need to learn from, that is how to sacrifice for family ... !"

Another student Trang Tran said: "Studying Kieu helps me learn many difficult words in English by looking up the Vietnamese side of the page.... This book helps me to have many experiences about how to love my parents like Kieu did, and how to be brave when I face the world all alone by myself."

Mr. Eubank also encourages his students write articles in Vietnamese language and to send them to the school newspaper. This is a progressive method of education. It prepares students for a job when they get out of school. Students are proud when their articles are published because they have the readers that are friends and also their parents.

After studying "The Tale of Kieu", students Tien Nguyen, Phuong Le, Anh Luong, Man Pham, Tan Do, Tu Le and Phu Nguyen wrote an article "Feelings after studying the "The Tale of Kieu" and sent it to the school newspaper.

I have reviewed the articles they wrote and I think all Vietnamese readers can be very proud of these students and their skills in writing clearly and correctly in their native language.

The students that wrote about their feelings said: "The Tale of Kieu" is not only famous in art and literature, it also has moral value too. It effected us in many ways and showed us many sides about persons. These situations (in the story of Kieu) can happen in any society and at any time. Besides having the poem in Vietnamese, we also have the poem in English, it helps us to have rapid progress in English. It helps us to understand the main idea of the story."

"By studying "The Tale of Kieu" this way we have occasion to review our knowledge of the Vietnamese language and to learn more about the native language. In this epic poem, we know about the real power of love over Kieu, we also learn about the courage and bravery of Tu Hai. We also learn about the reverse side of any society, that there are deceiving and untrustworthy people such as Tu Ba, Ma Giam Sinh..."

In the future when we aren't wandering, this coming generation can return to their native country and they can have honor when they show their knowledge about "The Tale of Kieu" that they studied when they were living in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

In my capacity as an educator, I hope for the continued study and preservation of the Vietnamese culture and Vietnamese language in a foreign country. I send to Mr. Eubank my sincere thanks and my praise to all the Vietnamese students at James Bowie High School who are returning to their native country through its famous literature.

Added to the WWW 05-25-97
Updated 12-27-98

William R. Eubank
1632 Burcham Drive
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
United States of America

wmeubank@yahoo.com