Current Issues in English Education

Current Issues in English Education

English Education in Korea evolved over the past decades and will continue to evolve in the future. With regards to development of English Education in South Korea, there are different kinds of issues associated with it. Some of those are listed below.

Foreigners Complain regarding Contract

This latest issue about contract among foreigners just happened last November 2008. Since most of the foreign English Instructors don’t realize that the contracts are negotiable and are legally binding, they were only able to find solutions after having negative experiences. The Term of Employment normally includes the following: Hours, Overtime, Salary, Duties, Tax, Severance Pay, National Health Insurance, Paid Sick Leave etc. Although the Term of Employment already exists, many are still complaining about what’s the real content of the contract. One example is a contract that has been terminated shortly before they were to receive severance pay and return airfare. Because this Foreign Instructor wants to claim what he deserves for, he took the employer to court through the Korean Labor Board and won. However he hasn’t received a penny of his entitlement and also found that he’d been placed on a black list.

Another case involves a Canadian who was insisted to work Saturdays as part of his regular workload even though his contract stated otherwise. After questioning his employer, he found out that the contract had been rewritten after he had signed it. The copy of the contract that is handed in to the Immigration office is the one that’s legally binding. In his case he found himself another job and put it down to experience. Probably the toughest situation to overcome for foreign employee is when an employer refuses to issue a Letter of Release. Without this document they are not allowed to work for any other employer than the one stated on their visa and registration card. For some of the foreigners who are experiencing those kinds of situations, there are many websites that offer advice concerning these issues.

More Funds for English Education in 2009

The Korean government recently said that it will expand the education budget to develop training programs for English teachers and recruit more native English-speaking teachers. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology announced that it will spend a total of 19.5 billion won ($15.9 million) next year, up by 12.2 billion won from a year earlier, for English Education programs at elementary and secondary schools. On the contrary, more than half of English teachers in the country are opposing next year’s planned introduction of “Teaching English in English (TEE)” teachers. The government plans to recruit 23,000 TEE teachers, who will conduct classes only in English over the next five years.

Web Boom in English

There is an interesting report on the rapidly use of internet-based services that allow Korean students to talk with native-speakers of English. The article notes that on any given day, students ranging from kids learning their alphabet to adults preparing for job interviews sign in on their internet messengers, fire up their web cams and wait for English teachers to appear from faraway continents.

Web English is one of the fastest growing segments in South Korea’s private English education industry, which is estimated at 15 trillion won ($13 billion) a year – almost half of the country’s annual education budget. About 150 to 200 companies are in the market offering phone and Web English tutoring. KT Corp, South Korea’s dominant fixed-line and broadband operator, provides a service called “Hello ET” cooperating with a South Korean English education company. Internet portal SK Communications runs “Spicus” which includes job interview drill on a video-chat platform. Applicants hand out their completed English resume before the drill. An interviewer stages a simulation interview through webcam, looking through resumes, and later provides feedback on logical speaking and communication skills. In terms of cost, a three time a week Web English course can be covered for about 100,000 won a month.

<CURRENT ISSUESIN ENGLISH EDUCATION>
written by Minhosong and Seunguglee
edited by Gwanghoonchoe

ENGLISH ABSORPTION EDUCATION POLICY-Is it really necessary?

As the world gets globalized, the government is currently emphasizing the importance of English because it is a language that known as global language. Recently, Korean government attempted to introduce the new education policy called English absorption education. Its purpose is improving students’ English ability by exposing students to English as much as possible. It sounds like a great idea as it seems to be making every student try their best on studying English unless they would fail. However, we don’t agree that English absorption education is effective way for students.

The main idea of English absorption education is that teaching subjects such as science or history in English for the improvements in students’ English skills. Of course, for highly advanced students or groups of students who are very fluent in English, teaching subjects in English can be effective. However, when students’ English proficiency is not high enough to handle the subjects in English, it would not be good idea to teach subjects that are irrelevant to English. In public school curriculums, top priority is to acquire knowledge related with each respective subject. For example, in science class, the most important thing is to understand important concepts and ideas. In English absorption education, students could learn only a few English expressions, while they cannot understand any important concepts related with its original subject.

Nowadays, Korean government is trying to introduce absorption education even at elementary school, hoping that this will help all Koreans to be a fluent English speaker. Even if it works and all Koreans become fluent in English, what could be the benefits of being fluent English speakers since they have learned nothing but English? Have your heard about this year’s novel prize winner `Simmobura osamu`? According to the news report, although he is not good at English and he has never been to any English speaking countries, he won the novel prize this year because of his achievement in science. Such an example shows that more important thing is to be an expert in one’s own field of study before mastering English.

Language is a tool to learn other world. However in these days, it seems that people are rushing to learn English without thinking about it. English is only a tool that gives us chances to learn and study other culture. So it is not worth giving up other subjects even though English is important. As a one of the effective ways to learn English, English absorption education can be a good way. However, its effectiveness has to be limited only to the role of improving students’ English ability. Also, education in school is not just for English. In that sense, Korean government should let students learn what they want to learn in their own language so that they can understand well. Otherwise it is incredibly irrational to use English in other classes.

-Current Issues in English Education-

English Immersion Education

There are a number of issues of English Education in Korea. One of the most controversial things is English Immersion Education. Have you heard that a new English only radio station will be established while the EBS station will continue? It comes from a link in the plan of English immersion Education. What is the immersion? That means students are thrown into the ocean to learn how to swim. Therefore it is the way students improve their English skills naturally through making them be exposed to English a lot. However, we aren’t in the exposed environment to English usually. If we get away in the classroom, we don’t have any opportunities to use English. So we forget those. As many people expected, is it impossible to practice the English immersion education? Not really. Here are three advantages enough to find out its possibility in immersion.

First of all, nowadays, most students have troubles about communicating in English. Even though they have been taught for almost 15 years in school, it is to be regretted that they can’t communicate in English so they get stress. Of course, it is very important to make an effort individually, but the most essential cause of those problems is the direction of school teaching English in our society. We should know the important thing in learning English is to communicate with people and focus on it. So Immersion is needed in our English teaching system. If you try to speak, listen and read a lot which means immersion is carried out, you learn automatically English grammar even though you didn’t try to memorize it. It makes our English education system alive in the world.

Secondly, immersion makes student improve their motivation, and meaningful learning is settled for them. The opportunity to use English that you are able to do not only understandable comprehensible input but also comprehensible output is extended. If so, English is simply not a particular subject but way to learning other subject. They are exposed a lot to English so they learn subject’s content. It has different point from existing English education that English become means of learning rather than propose of learning. It would help student understand systematic more than before, especially, in mathematic and science class.

Lastly, we can understand other countries’ cultures and accept it so think more flexible as global citizen. As you know, language that dominates people’s thought shows country’s culture and other important points. Without any experiences whether you’ve ever had or not in your life, that you can have in the time of going abroad, you will get more knowledge and experiences of Western things and broaden your view of those. Some people are worried that our language and culture is absorbed into Western things, but it means just people can understand those naturally, not absorb.

Conclusion, as you can see, there are advantages of English immersion and of course, disadvantages in opposite side. But the most obvious thing is that our English Education system has a lot of serious problems. So before it is too late, we have to make a step. It has been successful to carry out Immersion Education in Finland; their English immersion Education is based on their mother tongue. They provide excellent teachers for students and make them improve their teaching skills going with social state. In Korea, after deliberating what the effect is, we will decide to settle English immersion education adequate for our society.

Hello, Jungwha. I am Sangwook.
I think that English Immersion Education is neccessary. However, In Korea, many people seem to have a perverse view to the policy because of misinterpretation of the real aim and meaning of the words. I heard that Immersion is inevitable and it will not damage our own identity if used properly. Thank you for giving me this good inforamtion.

-Current Issues in English Education-

English Immersion Education

There are a number of issues of English Education in Korea. One of the most controversial things is English Immersion Education. Have you heard that a new English only radio station will be established while the EBS station will continue? It comes from a link in the plan of English immersion Education. What is the immersion? That means students are thrown into the ocean to learn how to swim. Therefore it is the way students improve their English skills naturally through making them be exposed to English a lot. However, we aren’t in the exposed environment to English usually. If we get away in the classroom, we don’t have any opportunities to use English. So we forget those. As many people expected, is it impossible to practice the English immersion education? Not really. Here are three advantages enough to find out its possibility in immersion.

First of all, nowadays, most students have troubles about communicating in English. Even though they have been taught for almost 15 years in school, it is to be regretted that they can’t communicate in English so they get stress. Of course, it is very important to make an effort individually, but the most essential cause of those problems is the direction of school teaching English in our society. We should know the important thing in learning English is to communicate with people and focus on it. So Immersion is needed in our English teaching system. If you try to speak, listen and read a lot which means immersion is carried out, you learn automatically English grammar even though you didn’t try to memorize it. It makes our English education system alive in the world.

Secondly, immersion makes student improve their motivation, and meaningful learning is settled for them. The opportunity to use English that you are able to do not only understandable comprehensible input but also comprehensible output is extended. If so, English is simply not a particular subject but way to learning other subject. They are exposed a lot to English so they learn subject’s content. It has different point from existing English education that English become means of learning rather than propose of learning. It would help student understand systematic more than before, especially, in mathematic and science class.

Lastly, we can understand other countries’ cultures and accept it so think more flexible as global citizen. As you know, language that dominates people’s thought shows country’s culture and other important points. Without any experiences whether you’ve ever had or not in your life, that you can have in the time of going abroad, you will get more knowledge and experiences of Western things and broaden your view of those. Some people are worried that our language and culture is absorbed into Western things, but it means just people can understand those naturally, not absorb.

Conclusion, as you can see, there are advantages of English immersion and of course, disadvantages in opposite side. But the most obvious thing is that our English Education system has a lot of serious problems. So before it is too late, we have to make a step. It has been successful to carry out Immersion Education in Finland; their English immersion Education is based on their mother tongue. They provide excellent teachers for students and make them improve their teaching skills going with social state. In Korea, after deliberating what the effect is, we will decide to settle English immersion education adequate for our society.

-junghwajung

Hi, seungug~

I absolutely agree with you. Though we admit that English is important language, it is doubtful that immersion English education will really work well for student. I do understand that what the new government persues for the better English education is. But, I don't think that teaching other subjects also in English is the only way for people's good communication ability. There can be another relevant ways to improve people's English, but they just stick to their one way, not trying to listen and consider English teachers and other environmental matters in real situations. It is right to turn our current English education system into more good direction for the better English education. But, I don't think the immersion English education will bring good effects on our education system.

Anyway, you did a hard work! Thanks for sharing your ideas.:)

&lt;CURRENT ISSUESIN ENGLISH EDUCATION&gt;written by Minhosong and Seungugleeedited by Gwanghoonchoe

ENGLISH ABSORPTION EDUCATION POLICY-Is it really necessary?

As the world gets globalized, the government is currently emphasizing the importance of English because it is a language that known as global language. Recently, Korean government attempted to introduce the new education policy called English absorption education. Its purpose is improving students’ English ability by exposing students to English as much as possible. It sounds like a great idea as it seems to be making every student try their best on studying English unless they would fail. However, we don’t agree that English absorption education is effective way for students.

The main idea of English absorption education is that teaching subjects such as science or history in English for the improvements in students’ English skills. Of course, for highly advanced students or groups of students who are very fluent in English, teaching subjects in English can be effective. However, when students’ English proficiency is not high enough to handle the subjects in English, it would not be good idea to teach subjects that are irrelevant to English. In public school curriculums, top priority is to acquire knowledge related with each respective subject. For example, in science class, the most important thing is to understand important concepts and ideas. In English absorption education, students could learn only a few English expressions, while they cannot understand any important concepts related with its original subject.

Nowadays, Korean government is trying to introduce absorption education even at elementary school, hoping that this will help all Koreans to be a fluent English speaker. Even if it works and all Koreans become fluent in English, what could be the benefits of being fluent English speakers since they have learned nothing but English? Have your heard about this year’s novel prize winner `Simmobura osamu`? According to the news report, although he is not good at English and he has never been to any English speaking countries, he won the novel prize this year because of his achievement in science. Such an example shows that more important thing is to be an expert in one’s own field of study before mastering English.

Language is a tool to learn other world. However in these days, it seems that people are rushing to learn English without thinking about it. English is only a tool that gives us chances to learn and study other culture. So it is not worth giving up other subjects even though English is important. As a one of the effective ways to learn English, English absorption education can be a good way. However, its effectiveness has to be limited only to the role of improving students’ English ability. Also, education in school is not just for English. In that sense, Korean government should let students learn what they want to learn in their own language so that they can understand well. Otherwise it is incredibly irrational to use English in other classes.

-seunguglee