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”

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!”