All Korea's High School Classes to be Taught in English from 2010

[saikira]

The number of regular classes to be conducted in English will be gradually increased due to concern over communication problems between Korean teachers and students...

South Korea's high schools will begin to conduct regular classes in English beginning in 2010, as part of the incoming government's drive for English-immersion education, sources of the transition team of President-elect Lee Myung-bak said.

While unveiling an educational reform policy earlier this week, the team said that Lee's new government will drastically reinforce English education at primary and secondary schools to normalize public education and help parents reduce their private foreign language educational expenses estimated at 15 trillion won ($15.8 billion) annually.

"A pilot English immersion program will be introduced at some elite private and public high schools starting this year. It will be gradually expanded to ordinary high schools nationwide," said a team official in charge of educational policies.

"But the number of regular classes to be conducted in English will be gradually increased due to concern over communication problems between Korean teachers and students. Thus, the program will first be applied to math, science and arts subjects, which can be more easily understood in English," the official said.

He noted his team will make a formal announcement on the English immersion education policy in early February. "The government will also carry out intensive investments to improve the English proficiency of students from rural and low-income households to help ease polarization in foreign language education," he said.

Lee's team has vowed to enable ordinary high school graduates to speak English without difficulty, blaming the current English language education system, focused on grammar, for the inability of many Korean students to speak English fluently after over 10 years of English study.

Adding to parents' financial burdens, an estimated 35,000 young Korean students leave for foreign countries annually to attend schools and an additional 10,000 students take part in short-term English classes abroad during the summer and winter vacations.

Source: Koreatimes

[collegeboy]

oh my god....will this make it easier for exchange students
the charm of an asian country is to speek its language when you're there,not to talk english at home,and abroad...
this step will benefit both local and foreign korea fans

[krykrykrynunit]

This sounds like a pretty good idea to me, I just wish there were more places that taught asian languages

[Calltometal]

I don't know, every class taught in English? It sounds like a really good idea to help the financial problems of many of the parents and students. But, to me keeping the flow of the language and at the same time keeping English are both equally important. It just kind of bothers me I guess, but I think this is sort of pushing away from the culture of Korea and more towards a sense of modernization. However, I guess I'm just to slow to keep up with the technology and advancement of education in today's day and age.

[angelicdevil]

^ i have to agree w u there...
but then the same kind of situation is happening in malaysia also...now all subjects are being taught in english....i think dat there are pros n cons in this kind of matter...n i think the gov just think it'd be much better if the english language is more often used throughout the country.

[Calltometal]

Well the thing is English is becoming, if not already, the universal language. Unfortunately, I HATE THAT! I love the fact that I can sit down and learn a language. Japan and other Asian countries are hoping to do the same thing with integrating English into the country for business and such. Its a good thing, but I feel it opens the doors for those unappreciative folk to step all over a culture, for example the way the conquistadors went to South America during Spain's global empire and crushed most of the tribes, and then inbreeding themselves into the population of Mexico today. Also, in the schools around my state, not country, in Utah China is trying to begin many language courses gearing towards Chinese languages. It is an awesome thing, because its a language besides Spanish and English. The Governor of Utah speaks Mandarin, so this is why they are pushing for this so much, especially in Utah. However, my point is its happening all over the World, English is becoming the language every country wants their youth to learn. It just bothers me to no end!

[Lokomani]

This is a pretty smart power move. I can only imagine what the workforce is going to be like in 20 years

[shiunsai671]

This sounds like a good business venture, especially for those who'd like to work overseas and teach English. Maybe the glut of English teachers in Japan can be reduced if some teachers are willing to relocate next door. But, I do have my doubts that "all classes" will be taught in English. First, are there that many English-speaking Korean teachers to accommodate that demand? Are they planning to import native-speaking and qualified teachers? I'd like to follow this to see how it develops...

[Rainier]

Hmm. This will definitely make it easier for Korean artists to be known internationally - or at least, the FUTURE Korean artists. This will definitely have a huge impact IF successful. Granted there are already a lot of NATIVE english speakers teaching in Korea and other countries, like what shiun said, will there be enough of them? =/ I believe that in order for this to be successful, the teacher has to be fluent and very good in the language.

[dmriojas]

This is a pretty heavy topic. I actually plan to go and teach English in Korea next year, as I will be finished with my degree then, I guess it's really good that there are job openings, but I just hope this won't affect spoken and written Korean, I adore that language and the people and don't think they should all have to speak English. ~D

[wozah]

The part about kids going overseas during breaks to be taught English is so true. During my winter and summer breaks, I go back home to Hawaii and teach kids from Korea how to speak English and grammar and all that fun stuff. I don't want them to not come though. I'll miss them. Haha.

[Ai-Ko]

Maybe I'm the stupid one here but, could someone tell me why there's a problem in communication between Korean teachers and students in the first place? And if they're having problems even when using Korean, won't English just worsen the situation?