The child I knew was a child who cared for others
The child who always complained became the child who praised
A quiet child becomes a courageous child

“Just by changing the way we speak, the children become special!”
A 10-Year Record of the Honorific Project, a Miracle in Children's Hearts

There is a classroom where children call each other “Mr. ○○” and “Ms. ○○” and naturally exchange affectionate words like “Can I borrow your eraser?”, “Take your time”, and “You’re really cool.”
The only language allowed in this classroom is 'honorifics'.
This book is the author's record of running a class that uses honorifics for the past ten years.
It contains meticulous observations and warm stories about how language changes people and how small, beautiful words can come together to create a great resonance.

A child's world grows with the language he hears and speaks every day.
The shape of a child's mind also changes depending on the language in which he or she lives each day.
This book proves that truth through ten years of classroom scenes.
In these times when the public's negative view of education is deepening, the heartfelt account of a teacher who still quietly strives to cultivate "good people" in the classroom will ask what role adults should play for children, and will quietly but clearly provide an answer.

At the beginning of the school year, I often heard Mr. Neunggeunham speaking informally among his friends.
It was also because the honorifics were awkward and not a habit.
However, it seemed that there was a strong intention not to use honorifics.
Of course, as he got used to it, Mr. Leisure also started using honorifics out of habit, but he still seemed bothered by having to bother speaking in honorifics.
Why did Mr. Leisure, who used to be like that, come to see me alone?
“Teacher, this is really amazing.
The friends who were in my class last year are different.
I can do it all.
My friends in other classes are just good at everything they're not good at.
“I even eat kimchi well.”
It wasn't the chattering style.
He was not the type to be kind to others.
It was strange that Mr. Neunggeunham came alone and started talking about the new school year without being asked.
“At first, it was really weird because my 6th grade teacher called me ‘Neugeutham-ah’ instead of ‘Mr. Neugeutham.’
We don't use honorifics anymore.
But even if we don't use honorifics, the friends in my class speak a little differently.
Speak nicely.
And when I see friends from my class last year in the hallway, I still greet them politely.”
---- pp.29-30

Language habits are not formed overnight.
The better the language, the more so.
Compared to provocative language that quickly becomes ingrained, it takes time for pretty words to become a habit.
The beautiful sound seeps in slowly.
Polite expressions slowly creep in.
Once the atmosphere is established and stable, it is not difficult to maintain.
It delves deeply into children's lives over a long period of time and has a profound impact on their lives.
This is why children must be exposed to an environment where they can use the correct language from a young age.
What adults need to do to help children develop good language habits is to wait.
You should wait for the children to learn at their own pace and praise them for their nice words.
Children learn right from wrong by being praised.
Even the most trivial and obvious words can be strengthened and become special language through praise.
When you scold someone for using bad language, the focus shifts to the negative language.
Sharp words should not be made to stand out.
We must make beautiful words bigger and stronger, and cover up sharpness with softness.
---- pp.39-40

“Bang!”
A sharp sound broke the silence.
All eyes turned to where the sound came from.
A student's colored pencil case made of metal fell from the desk.
48 colored pencils spilled onto the floor.
All my friends around me lowered themselves to the floor and started picking up colored pencils.
There was no sound.
The only thing that was busy was picking up the colored pencils and putting them in the case.
In no time, the colored pencils were returned to their case.
"I'm sorry."
A student who accidentally dropped a colored pencil bowed his head and apologized to his friends.
"it's okay."
Friends around me answered.
“Thank you for picking up the colored pencils.”
He didn't even miss the thank you message.
The situation ended with everyone smiling.
I devoted myself to art work again.
The first grade teacher who witnessed this sight couldn't close his mouth in disbelief.
“This is a cultural shock.
"You mean it ends so politely? No, how do kids even use formal language with each other? How do they say things like 'I'm sorry,' 'It's okay,' and 'Thank you' so naturally?"
She returned home shocked and in shock, saying that this was something that could never happen in a first-grade classroom.
If someone else had witnessed the same scene, their reaction would not have been much different.
This was the daily routine in our class.
It was an ordinary day for us, nothing special at all.
---- pp.56-57

Slowly, Mr. Seed spoke to Mr. Waiting, who was walking along the learning path.
“Slowly, Mr. Slowly, you’re not finished yet? It’s okay.
Take your time.
“I’ll wait.”
Mr. Wait never rushed.
Rather, he encouraged the seed slowly.
“Slowly, Mr. Slowly, your drawing is awesome.
“It takes a long time to draw so well.”
"thank you.
I still have a long way to go.
“I’ll finish it and submit it.”
"no.
I'll wait while I play with my friends.
Let me know when you're done.
“I will submit it.”
"all right.
thank you.
“I will finish it as quickly as possible.”
I could only stare blankly at the brief conversation between Mr. Slow and Mr. Wait.
Because the consideration for each other is so beautiful.
If it were a student evaluation that should be conducted fairly, they would have asked us to submit our test papers like a knife.
But what if the study materials are handed in a few minutes late?
It is more important to cultivate a kind heart by speaking kind words.
---- pp.83-84

It was finally time to taste it.
Share your feelings with classmates through food.
That was the purpose of the activity of making healthy snacks, as I thought.
I can't just eat the snacks my friends lovingly made.
A fair price must be paid.
So, should we pay for it? What if we created our own class currency? Isn't our class known for its polite language and overflowing compliments? We set the price of each snack at "5 compliments."
You have to give five compliments to get a snack from another group.
“The snack looks really delicious.
The plating is excellent.
The sign is beautiful.
You cleaned up well too.
“I think eating this will make me healthy.”
As expected, they were skilled masters of praise.
He gave five compliments in rapid succession.
If you praise quickly, you can eat quickly.
“The food has pretty colors.
The smell is amazing.
How did you come up with this snack? Great idea.
It seems like the group members worked well together.
And the last one… …the chef has a handsome face.”
I even complimented the appearance of my friend who made a snack in a hurry.
Everyone burst into laughter and stuffed their mouths with delicious snacks.
---- pp.162-163

“You stepped on my bag first.
“I apologize.”
“Hey, you got angry first.”
But when I mediate, he quickly repents his mistake and speaks politely again.
“I got angry because Mr. ○○ stepped on my bag.
“It was my fault for getting angry first.”
“I felt bad because Mr. △△ got angry all of a sudden.
“I was wrong not to apologize right away.”
Even if a fight breaks out, it doesn't last long.
It will be resolved quickly.
He starts talking again in polite language as if he's never fought before.
Because we usually use polite language and have a considerate atmosphere, I know my friend lost his temper for a moment.
Honorifics have a magical power to soothe angry emotions.
When honorifics become the norm, major conflicts become arguments, and the worst-case scenario is speaking informally.
Honorifics elevate the level of the class community.
---- p.177

The honorific filter filters out harsh words and allows only purified words to come out of the mouth.
The same is true in writing.
It filters out negative thoughts and enables honest, clean writing composed of refined language.
When writing an explanatory text, using calm, formal language creates a systematic and friendly explanation.
In an argumentative essay, logical honorifics clarify the basis and increase the persuasiveness of the essay.
When writing a letter, is there any language better for expressing sincerity than honorifics?
Polite expressions convey your feelings carefully and add depth to your words.
How about when writing poetry?
Beautiful honorifics allow us to express our emotions more delicately.
Honorifics play a major role in purifying language and as a tool for expressing one's feelings honestly.
I feel that children's writing has become much softer and more beautiful since they started using honorifics.
The content has become richer and the expressions have become more fluid.
Properly organized thoughts, actions, and words are incorporated into writing and sublimated into developed 'writing power.'
---- p.239

Isn't using language correctly like learning to ride a bicycle? The moment you learn how to balance and pedal, someone who has never ridden a bicycle before transforms into a cyclist.
Even if you don't ride a bike every day, you won't forget how to ride one.
Even if it's been years since you've ridden a bike, you can move forward without having to learn anything new.
Once you learn the skills, you can be a cyclist for life.
The same goes for honorifics.
Once someone uses honorifics, they internalize the positive function of language.
Even in situations where honorifics are not used, the power of positive language that has already been formed does not disappear.
You can always take it out and use it skillfully when needed.
I believe that my children, who have spoken to me using polite language for a year, will live their entire lives as proper language users.
This is why we don't stop teaching honorifics, though.

---- p.289