This book was written with the sincere intention of supporting your happy campus life. At the heart of healthy relationships lies communication, and effective communication begins with the right words. I hope this book can help you build positive relationships by “speaking well” and enable you to face each day with a joyful and relaxed mindset. — Excerpted from “Author’s Note”

The author of “Becoming a Friend Who Knows How to Be Considerate and Brave Enough to Express Yourself,” Ms. Kim Jeong, has now released a speaking guide designed to make school life happier and more enjoyable through smooth communication. Schools are the spaces where children spend the most time outside their homes, making them crucial for developing their social skills. So how can children thrive in school? While doing well academically is important, what matters even more is getting along harmoniously with teachers and classmates—the other members of the school community—so that they can enjoy a happy school life. In the past, there have been many books teaching children how to communicate well with friends, but it has been hard to find resources specifically guiding them on how to communicate effectively with teachers. This book uses concrete examples to provide precise guidance not only on talking with friends but also on how to appropriately express one’s thoughts and feelings to teachers. In particular, seven characters who help facilitate conversations offer practical and engaging “tips” that enable children to learn proper speaking habits in a fun and enjoyable way. In addition, through the story of Teacher Cai Xiaoyan and the children in her class, the book presents realistic strategies for improving speaking skills. No one becomes a great speaker overnight, but with consistent practice in expressing oneself, one will eventually be able to confidently share one’s thoughts and feelings. When you can express yourself this way, communication with teachers and classmates becomes smoother, and school life naturally becomes more pleasant and fulfilling.

Providing Concrete, Practical Speaking Strategies
The author of this book, Ms. Kim Jeong, is an elementary school teacher. Drawing on her vivid real-life experiences, she offers a concrete and practical speaking guide that can be immediately applied to everyday school life. The book presents 34 cases of speaking challenges that may arise in school, providing realistic examples of how to communicate with teachers and classmates. Imagine each case as something that could happen to you, and follow the guidance in the book to practice expressing yourself. Before you know it, you’ll discover a new version of yourself—one who can speak up with confidence about your thoughts and feelings.

Vivid, Engaging Characters That Resonate With Real-Life Situations
Seven characters appear in the book to help with conversations: Respectful Kid, Caring Child, Quick-Eared Ear, Determined Melon, Confident King, Grateful Bug, and Smart Star. They appear in different situations and offer tips for effective communication. With these characters’ guidance, children can learn the art of speaking in a more relaxed and enjoyable way. In addition, the story of Teacher Cai Xiaoyan and the children in her class portrays various everyday scenarios, helping children feel more connected to the content and empathize with the issues presented. Children can practice expressing themselves in situations that feel like real-life experiences and then apply what they’ve learned to their own problems, gaining tangible benefits.

For Teachers: Be Polite, Be Clear, Be Confident
You may be wondering how to communicate effectively with your homeroom teacher. There’s no need to feel unnecessarily afraid of teachers. At the same time, you shouldn’t be too casual in your interactions with them, as you would with friends. This book provides practical advice on how to politely and clearly express your thoughts to teachers. Through specific examples such as asking for help, dealing with conflicts between friends, or forgetting to bring necessary materials, the book helps you build confidence in communicating with teachers.

For Friends: Be Kind and Thoughtful—but Stand Firm When Necessary
When you talk to your friends in a friendly and considerate way and truly listen to each other, you’ll feel closer over time. However, when a friend says something thoughtless or makes you uncomfortable, don’t let their words lead you astray—stand firm and clearly express your own thoughts. For example, the book provides specific guidance on how to respond when a friend does something wrong and refuses to apologize, or when a friend makes unreasonable demands. At the same time, it offers speaking strategies for situations such as apologizing to a friend or struggling to make friends, helping you maintain healthy and positive relationships.

Thoroughly Overcome Friendship Challenges Through “Ms. Cai Xiaoyan’s Troubleshooting Consultation Room”
On the YouTube channel “Ms. Cai Xiaoyan’s Troubleshooting Consultation Room,” run by the book’s character Ms. Cai Xiaoyan, various concerns related to friendships are addressed. The channel not only responds to specific questions such as “I don’t have a best friend,” “I feel isolated in my group,” and “My friends always ignore me,” but also provides highly practical advice on making friends and identifies the top three types of friends people least want to talk to, offering precise guidance on how to build healthy, happy friendships.

Kim Jeong
While teaching at a primary school, Kim Jeong is dedicated to writing children’s books that nourish the soul. She graduated from the Department of Korean Language Education at Seoul National University of Education and earned a master’s degree in Korean Language Education from the university’s graduate school. She has served as a member of the Korean language textbook editorial committee and as a member of the editorial committee for the Dong-A Yonsei Primary School Korean Dictionary. Her publications include “What Should I Say to a Mischievous Friend?,” “The Rabbit Baker and the Magical Bakery,” “A Nine-Year-Old’s Dictionary of Interpersonal Relationships,” and “A Fun and Engaging Elementary School Korean Concept Dictionary.” Her book “I Want to Be a Friend Who Is Considerate Yet Brave in Expressing Myself” has been published in mainland China and Taiwan, and her book “Fifth Grade: Let’s Boost Your Writing Skills!” was selected as a Sejong Book.

Xintong
Xintong works as an animation concept designer, illustrator, and picture book author. She has illustrated “Cheonsam’s Reincarnation Mission” and “Pond Kindergarten,” and created and illustrated “To Mumu.”

Author’s Note
Friends Who Help in Conversations
Characters

Chapter 1: Talking with the Teacher
When you feel that the teacher is scary and distant
When you want to get closer to the teacher
When you feel that the teacher never calls on you to speak
When there’s food you don’t like at lunch
When you forget to bring the required items
When you want to ask a difficult question
When you want to change seats
When you worry about making a mistake when speaking
When your stomach hurts
When you lose something
When you feel wronged after being criticized by the teacher
When you didn’t hear the announcement clearly
When you feel jealous that the teacher praises other classmates
When you don’t have friends to prepare for the cultural performance together
When friends talk behind your back in a chat group
When friends keep taking the ball from you during PE class
When you want to express your gratitude

Chapter 2: Talking with Friends
When it’s hard to make friends
When friends always interrupt you while you’re speaking
When friends don’t keep their promises
When friends don’t participate in group activities
When friends make plans without including you
When friends make unreasonable demands
When friends comment on your appearance or clothes
When it makes you sad that your friends are closer to others
When friends make jokes that make you uncomfortable
When friends don’t apologize
When friends are in a bad mood
When friends don’t follow the rules of the game
When friends blame you
When some friends don’t like you
When friends tell others your secrets
When friends ignore you or avoid you
When you want to apologize to your friends

Appendix: Ms. Cai Xiaoyan’s Troubleshooting Counseling Room
Trouble: No Best Friend
Feeling Isolated in a Group
Friends Always Ignore You
Super-Practical Tips for Making Friends Revealed!
Top 3 Types of Friends You Least Want to Talk To