Opinion: Korean English Education

Despite an "education first" approach in South Korea, where children supplement public school classes with additional coursework at private academies, the system has failed its students and society in many areas. One such area is English education.

According Swiss-based Education First (WSJ), the average South Korean students receives about 20,000 hours of ESL education, 10,000 more than what many say is needed to master the subject. The nation pumps almost $18 billion (US) in the ESL industry each year. In fact, there's one private language academy for every 650 students. If that's the case, then why, in a survey of 60 nations, did South Korea rank 24th?

The answer is simple, the resolution; however, it not.

No matter what the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology does with assets in the classroom, Korea's ranking on this list will change little. No amount of money or reduction in overhead will change things. Hiring better trained teachers or curriculum won't resolve the issue either. The only way for Korea to improve its adoption of English and increase fluency among students is to better teach why it's important to learn and master the language.

When I ask students why they are learning English, I typically get three answers: 1) because it's required, 2) they want to speak to a foreigner, and 3) they want to watch a movie or television program.

These are "hobby" related answers, meaning you can do it any time and once your interests move into a different area, you'll stop the activity. Non-English speaking countries that have mastered the language have done so because they see value in it. They know that for economic development and growth, they must have mastery of English. It's a pathway to a better life via international communication.

That drive does not exist in Korea, despite the enormous pressure of academic success. Unless a long-term benefit is demonstrated, English education will always be nothing more than a money pit. South Korea has achieved economic success without widespread adoption of English. Those in the classroom today don't see English as a pathway to financial success. They don't see a need for it. It's the same reason why foreign language adoption in the United States is low, Americans just don't see a need to learn it.

What's needed is a paradigm shift in Korea, and sadly, I don't see it happening.

Article: http://www.qiranger.com/2013/11/17/en...

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TAGS: English Education,Teaching in Korea,Opinion,Editorial,South Korea,Korea,ESL