This is the third 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.

Korean learners and educators prefer American English, including its accent and idiomatic expressions. The evidence: Korean textbooks on the subject are mostly if not entirely based on American English.

Lee Chan-seung, CEO of NeungYule Education, said such dependence on the single variation of English is passι, as other countries are increasingly adopting a policy in favor of what is called “World English.” » Continue reading “[EYE ON ENGLISH (3)] Lee promotes ‘World English’”

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”

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!”