입트영(2026.01.20) - 25, the Prettiest Age / 예쁜 나이 스물다섯

[Study Group Questions]

1. What was the most difficult period of your life? How did you overcome it?
2. How have your major goals changed throughout your life? What are your current goals?
3. Describe how you motivate yourself and stay focused, even when you're tired or discouraged.

 

[해석]

'예쁜 나이 스물다섯 살'이라는 말이 있죠. 저도 스물다섯 살의 제가 가장 찬란하게 빛날 줄 알았습니다. 그런데 현실은 그저 교사 임용 고시를 준비하는 고시생일 뿐입니다.
매일 같은 루틴으로 기계적인 하루를 살 때면 이게 맞나 하는 의문이 들기도 합니다. 그럼에도 내년에는 꼭 학교로 가서 예쁜 아이들과 함께 명랑한 생활을 하고 싶습니다.
시험을 준비하다 보니 친구들을 만나거나 재미있는 일을 하는 것에 죄책감이 느껴지는 날도 많습니다. 그럼에도 매일 아침 <입트영>을 들으며, '우리 진행자 선생님들처럼 긍정적인 에너지를 줄 수 있는 사람이 되어야지' 하고 다짐을 합니다.
내년에는 꼭 임용 고시에 합격해서 새 선생님의 정신없는 학교 생활 사연으로 다시 찾아뵙고 싶어요.

 

[Response]

There's a saying, "twenty-five is the prettiest age." I used to think that I would shine brightest at twenty-five, too. But in reality, I'm just a test-taker studying for the teacher certification exam.
Living the same routine every day like a machine sometimes makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing. Still, next year I really hope to be in a school, spending my days with bright, cheerful kids.
As I prepare for the exam, there are a lot of days when I feel guilty about meeting friends or doing anything fun. But every morning, I listen to "입트영" and vow to myself, "I want to be someone who can give off positive energy like the hosts."
I hope I can come back next year with a story about how I passed the exam, and describe the hectic life of a new teacher.

 

[Key Expressions]

there's a saying 말[격언]이 있다
shine brightest 가장 밝게 빛나다
teacher certification exam 교사 임용고시
the same routine every day 매일 같은 루틴
make someone wonder (~에게) 의문이 들게 하다
really hope to ~을 간절히 바라다
spend one's days 생활하다. 나날을 보내다
prepare for an exam 시험 준비를 하다
feel guilty about ~에 대해 죄책감을 느끼다
vow to oneself 스스로 다짐하다
give off positive energy 긍정적인 에너지를 주다
pass an exam 시험에 합격하다

 

[Pattern Practice]

1. the same routine every day 매일 같은 루틴
■ 매일 같은 루틴으로 하루를 살 때면 이게 맞나 하는 의문이 들기도 합니다.
Living the same routine every day sometimes makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing.
■ 매일 같은 루틴만 반복하다 보면 때론 지루해질 수도 있다.
Following the same routine every day can sometimes get boring.
■ 나는 가급적 매일 같은 루틴을 따르려 노력한다.
I try to follow the same routine every day.

2. feel guilty about ~에 대해 죄책감을 느끼다
■ 친구들을 만나는 것에 대해 죄책감이 느껴지는 날이 많습니다.
There are a lot of days when I feel giulty about meeting friends.
■ 나는 밤 너무 늦은 시간에 뭘 먹어서 죄책감이 들었다.
I felt guilty about eating so late at night.
■ 그것에 대해 네가 미안하게 생각할 필요 없어.
You don't have to feel guilty about it.

3. give off positive energy 긍정적인 에너지를 주다
■ 저는 긍정적인 에너지를 줄 수 있는 사람이 되고 싶습니다.
I want to be someone who can give off positive energy.
■ 나는 우리 아이들과 함께 있을 때 긍정적인 에너지를 주려고 노력한다.
I try to give off positive energy when I'm with my kids.
■ 그녀는 늘 긍정적인 에너지를 주기 때문에 인기가 아주 많다.
She's very popular because she always gives off positive energy.

 

[Dialogue Practice]

A: How is the test prep going for the teacher certification exam?
B: I'm studying steadily every day.
A: I'm always rooting for you.
B: I really hope I pass this year so I can finally meet my students.
A: With your passion, I'm sure you will.
B: Looking back, I think this might end up being the most hard-working year of my life.

A: 교사 임용고시 준비는 잘 되어 가요?
B: 매일 착실히 공부하고 있어요.
A: 늘 응원하고 있어요.
B: 올해 꼭 합격해서 어서 우리 아이들을 만나고 싶어요
A: 그 열정이면 꼭 합격할 거예요.
B: 돌이켜 보면 올해가 제 생에서 가장 열정적으로 살았던 한 해가 될 듯해요.

 

[Key Expressions]

test prep 시험 준비
teacher certification exam 교사 임용고시
steadily every day 매일 착실히
root for ~을 응원하다.
the most hard-working 가장 열심히 하는, 열정적인

 

[Composition Practice]

1. 나의 이전 직장에서는 매일매일이 같은 루틴이었다. (the same routine every day)
2. 그런 말을 한 것에 대해 죄책감을 느끼고 있어? (feel guilty about)
3. 긍정적인 에너지를 발산하기에는 내가 너무 피곤했다. (give off positive energy)
4. 나는 매일 착실히 연습을 하는데도 실력이 늘지 않는다. (steadily every day)
5. 나는 늘 더 약한 팀을 응원한다. (root for)

 

[Answers]

1. At my last job, it was the same routine every day.
2. Do you feel guilty about saying that?
3. I was too tired to give off positive energy.
4. I practice steadily every day, but I'm not getting better.
5. I always root for the weaker team.