This is the fourth 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.

English education in Korea is a huge industry. Hundreds, if not thousands, of English study books are being published every year and a growing number of parents are sending their kids to English-only kindergartens.

But the majority of Korean learners struggle, something often attributed to the methods they use and ineffective education policies. » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (4)] ‘Work smarter, not harder’ to learn English”

Oh my bi-weekly and sometimes 3 times a week jog, I was running on a familiar trail (or should I say “street trail”) on the way home. I’ve passed by this street which is the home of a couple large agencies or government funded (it appears) bodies which support local industry. Also, a cool cafe my friend Leona and I go to once in a while is on this little path in Centum.

So, I was thinking I would do a little pre-Business Development and drop by these organizations and see if I could at least get some contact information for talking to decision makers later on. Well, the smaller of the 3 was the most receptive, but basically, I got a “Huh? Why do you just want our business card?” look. At least he didn’t frown. » Continue reading “OMG Korea Part 1: Do Koreans really want more business?”

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”

This is the sixth 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.

By Yang Sung-jin

Stephen van Vlack, professor of the Graduate School of TESOL at Sookmyung Women’s University, said Korean parents should help their children develop in both Korean and English, particularly concerning literacy skills.

With expertise in theoretical and applied linguistics, van Vlack also said that authentic reading is a “doable” strategy for most Korean learners, while providing detailed steps as well, depending on proficiency levels. » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (6)] Better English through reading”

This is the seventh 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.

By Yang Sung-jin

Lee Soh-hee, professor of Seoul University of Foreign Studies, said graduate students majoring in interpretation and translation are deeply anxious to improve their English competence during summer vacation, but hard work would pay off more than short cuts.

“I totally understand my students who want to move to a next level as fast as possible, especially during the summer break, but whatever they do, they have to devote plenty of time and energy, which cannot be possibly done in just two months,” Lee said. » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (7)] Lee offers advice for aspiring interpreters”

From the Korea Herald:

This is the eighth 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.

By Yang Sung-jin

Bae Yu-chung’s career defies quick classification. She is widely known as a stage actress who took various roles for high-profile dramas. She also joins many press conferences or international conferences as a seasoned master of ceremonies, thanks to her masterful use of Korean language that easily outsmarts even professional TV anchors. » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (8)] Constant training key to English proficiency”

» Continue reading “Study (Work) hard…because you CAN!”

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”)”

Here, I post about how Koreans or Asians might be embarrassed at their poor use of the English language.  However, when I think about it, I should consider it HUGE “business opportunities” that non-English speakers don’t use the language appropriately.  My housemate reminded me that it’s “job security” for her and her boyfriend which is so write (ha, ha…I know it’s “right”).

What sparked this post was their viewing of a few facebook pages (one is I believe a Facebook Twit & the other an actual group).  If you have a facebook account, I think you can access this “Engrish Twit.”  Currently, this page/twit has 8,680 fans as of today (July 1, 2009).  Another page called “Engrish” is basically promoting a website at www.engrish.com (and I guess now I’m promoting it too ^^) is here on Facebook.  There’s 394 members of this group.

Here’s some other entertaining photos: » Continue reading “Thank you for the Engrish business”