About Us
About Us
Our mission at K-talk is to provide a vibrant and immersive in-person Korean language learning experience. We are dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can cultivate language proficiency, cultural understanding, and a lifelong appreciation for Korean heritage.
Through dynamic and interactive teaching methods, we strive to empower our students with the language skills and cultural insights necessary for meaningful cross-cultural communication and connections in our diverse global community.
Joyce is a Korean-American mother who founded K-talk with the purpose of teaching her two daughters the Korean language and heritage. With over 15 years of experience as a Director of Learning and Development in the hotel industry, Joyce understands the importance of a strong curriculum. Her vision was to establish an engaging and creative learning environment that would help learners master the Korean language and gain a deeper appreciation for Korean culture. K-talk welcomes people from all backgrounds who are interested in learning Korean, including bi-racial students and Korean adoptees. Our language classes also provide a space for individuals to connect with others and build a sense of community.
Gilsang Jo is an experienced educator in language instruction. He holds a Master's of Education in Applied Linguistics and TESOL from Columbia University and previously obtained a Master's in the same field from St. Cloud State University. Gilsang has taught at various institutions, including Neungheodae Middle School in Incheon, St. Cloud State University, Hills Learning, CIFLTE at Columbia University, and currently at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York, specializing in teaching the Korean language. His extensive experience and passion for language education make his classes engaging and enriching for students.
Madeline Yap is a Macaulay Honors CUNY Queens College graduate with a B.A. in East Asian studies and M.A. in Korean Studies - Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea. She has had various experiences studying and working in Korea since 2012 as a USAC exchange student, Fulbright English teacher, National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) Summer Program resident director and Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) graduate student. She has taught Korean language to students of different levels and ages for the Korean Culture Center of New York City (KCC NYC) and Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York (KCS). In addition, she has held the position of Korean language teacher at Democracy Prep Charter High School located in Harlem and is currently an adjunct lecturer at CUNY Queens College.
Yeo Rim Sinclair is a dedicated professional with a rich educational background. She holds a Master of Arts from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, specializing in Korean-French Translation through the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation. Her Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature is from Hanyang University in Ansan, Korea. Yeo Rim further expanded her cultural and linguistic horizons through an enriching Exchange Student Program at Université Paris 8 in Paris, France. Complementing her linguistic expertise, she is equipped with a Teaching Certificate from the Ministry of Education in Korea, emphasizing her commitment to education and effective instruction.
Esther Sim is an International Studies major with a concentration in East Asian Studies, focusing her scholarship on the historical and contemporary socio-political landscape for diasporic Koreans. She has worked with children both as a teacher's assistant and as a private tutor. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys listening to K-pop and reading poetry.
Eunji Kim holds a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language and Literature, with a concentration in three languages, from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware. During her undergraduate studies, Eunji also engaged in academic pursuits at Soka University of Japan in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan, as an exchange student. Currently, Eunji is contributing to the academic community as an Adjunct Lecturer for Japanese & Korean Language at Fordham University and as an Adjunct Lecturer for Modern Languages at La Guardia Community College. Her diverse educational background and teaching experience reflect her commitment to language education and cultural understanding.
Michelle Song is a versatile professional with a passion for language, education, and sustainable development. She holds a Master of Science degree in Real Estate Finance and Development from New York University, specializing in Sustainable Development, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. Beyond her professional pursuits, Michelle is experienced in tutoring Korean and English. Her passion for language education stems from her belief in the power of cross-cultural communication and understanding. Through her tutoring efforts, Michelle facilitates language learning and promotes cultural exchange. With her diverse skill set and commitment to language education, Michelle Song continues to make a positive impact in her field and beyond, bridging linguistic and cultural barriers.
