Extra credit project： Experiences in an English-Language Class at a Korean University ----HAN YUANYUAN

 As a Chinese international student, taking English classes at a Korean university is a special and challenging experience. For students like me who have not yet reached fluent communication in English, this course is not only a test of language ability, but also an excellent opportunity to develop practical application skills. This learning process made me feel nervous and excited, and I also gained many unique growth experiences.

First contact with Wikipedia editing

When I first started the class, I felt fresh and a little nervous. Wikipedia is a global knowledge sharing platform, and my English level is not enough to easily deal with complex expressions. In the first class of the course, the teacher explained in detail the basic concepts and editing rules of Wikipedia, such as neutrality, reliable sources, and open cooperation. Although these principles sound simple, it is not easy to integrate these principles into a high-quality article when I actually do it.

My initial editing task was to supplement and modify existing entries and familiarize myself with the structure and format of the page. In my first attempt, I spent a long time because I was not familiar with grammar and expression, and was even warned by the system because of formatting problems. I clearly remember that when my first modification was approved, the sense of accomplishment made me look forward to the subsequent tasks. This "starting small" approach helped me accumulate experience step by step, laying the foundation for more complex writing tasks in the future.

Facing the challenges of language and expression

When editing Wikipedia, language is the most direct challenge. I often find it difficult to express complex ideas and professional content in English. For example, when writing an entry about Chinese culture, some Chinese terms are difficult to translate directly into English, and finding the corresponding expression requires repeated references to materials. In addition, my first draft often seems not to be smooth enough due to grammatical problems or Chinglish expressions.

Fortunately, the feedback from teachers and students has gradually made me realize how to improve. After each assignment is submitted, the teacher will mark the parts I need to modify in detail and provide alternative expressions. I also often ask Korean classmates and other international students in the class how to express in more authentic English. This interaction not only improves my writing level, but also makes me feel the power of cooperation.

The actual operation of Wikivoyage

Compared with Wikipedia, the editing of Wikivoyage is closer to life. This part of the course requires us to write content from the perspective of travelers, introducing the culture, attractions, food and transportation information of the destination. I chose to write a Wikivoyage entry about a city that I was interested in. Through this task, I not only deepened my understanding of the city, but also exercised my ability to introduce Chinese culture in English.

Writing a guide entry requires accurate and vivid language while avoiding subjective bias. For example, when describing the special food of my hometown, I need to balance personal feelings and neutral expressions. I tried to describe the local taste and taste in concise English, while adding some cultural background information to make the article more attractive. At the teacher's suggestion, I also added specific restaurant recommendations and price information to make the article more practical. This kind of task made me realize that writing is not only a language expression, but also an insight into the needs of readers.

Summary

As a Chinese international student, taking English classes to edit Wikipedia and Wikivoyage at a Korean university is a challenging and meaningful experience. It has allowed me to gradually grow from a language learner to a knowledge sharer, while broadening my international perspective and exercising my cross-cultural collaboration skills. Although I encountered many difficulties in the process, through persistence and hard work, I have gained not only the improvement of my language skills, but also the power of confidence and growth. Yes