This is the fifth installment of a series of interviews with experts in English education aimed at offering tips, trends and information related to English learning and teaching in Korea. – Ed.

Lee Keun-chull does not believe in perfection when it comes to learning English. After all, trying to obtain a high level of English proficiency in every field is not only impossible, but fatally discouraging.

“The most important thing is to have a purpose-based approach,” Lee said. “If I want to sell clothes at Dongdaemun market, I will focus on certain expressions, and if I want to become a reporter for an English newspaper, I will focus on writing.” » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (5)] ‘Purpose-based approach’ to English”

In an effort to curb Private English Education costs in South Korea, the Grand National Party (the conservative arm of the Korean government and the  political party President Lee Myung-bak was elected from) wants “hagwon(s) [to] be banned from offering lessons to students after 10 p.m.”

Just like prohibition in the United States from 1920 to 1933, the Korean education consumers will find another way to get their “drug.”  In the case of Koreans, they have two very large addictions (well at least two that are overtly obvious): alcohol and even bigger than that and definitely more healthy, “Education!”  This new proposal is similar to telling Korean old men they can’t drink anymore.  Obviously, there would be an even larger protest if the latter proposal was ever put forward! » Continue reading “Open from 10p to 2a: Thank you GNP!”

When you go to Naver.com, Daum.net or Nate.com, what are you looking for?   Unfortunately, I can’t tell you since I’m not as fluent in Korean as I would like to be in terms of reading, but what Google.com says with their Keywords Suggestions pages is that you are looking for:

Top 10 “English” Keyword Searches on Google.com in Korea

Rank Keywords 1) english 2) english in 3) english language 4) korean english 5) english dictionary 6) english translation 7) teaching english english grammar 9) english lesson 10) learn english

Internationally, it’s a bit different.  The top 10 searched keywords that » Continue reading “So, what are you all searching for online? (in terms of “English”)”