Korean Job Discussion Forums

[newinseoul]

I often receive emails from a Korean friend of mine, who is in university presently. He likes to write about many issues. I have talked to my Korean friends about this, and they also think the same way he does to a degree.

Although Korea is becoming more and more westernized, I often wonder if English is needed as much as it is pushed on the kids. I'm sure we all have those students that just don't want to learn the language, and no matter what we do to motivate them, they don't want to learn. That is their choice in my opinion. What do you think about what my Korean friend thinks about the English boom? This is his letter.

Dear .....,

I want to make an argumet with you about English boom being in Korea.


It has been well known that the koreans do not speak English at all although they have learend it for 6 years.

Furthmore, English education was focused on grammer and reading just for the test.

As a result of it , the Koreans are usually poor at writng and speaking.

In my personal opinion, this problem is being overcoming by the strong policy of the government.

In addition, president had put an emphasis on the significance of English to survive on global society and to compete with other country.

I totally agree that it is desirable for people to learn English.

The problem is that the English boom is overflooded.

The severe problem is that people think that they should study English regardless of their own motivation.

The English policy have made people think that they must concentrate on English and this ideas have become prevalent all over the county unexpectedly.

The people are obsessed with studying English regardless of gender and age.

Most of all, the policy of English have changed a social atmosphere.

It is really silly my young nephew and niece enjoy watching English movie better than Korean drama.

It is very natural for young kids to be exposed to their own culture for their identity.

However, the reality in Korea is forcing young kids to learn English against their will.

It is a pity that small boys and girls are being familiar with western culture more than Korea's.


Do you really think that English is critically important in living ?



Best regards
Alex

[Goku]

Learning English in Korea reminds me of communism in China.

Ideally, If everyone believed in it and followed through, the country would be greatly better off.

Unfortunately a great majority don't care and don't want to follow on it making it more wasteful and negative to society. .

[phoneboothface]

A necessity for me at least.

Not critical at all for sure, but if you live on an isolated peninsula it's useful to speak the international language of business and diplomacy if you want to expand your horizon / increase your opportunities.

Some parents might want their kids to learn so they'll have increased chances to move to an English speaking country where their standard of living might be higher. But hopefully their concept of America isn't too idealized...

[fermentation]

I disagree with some of it. Like, kids these days learn English for more than 6 years. I would say most koreans can't read at a high level either. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to watch foreign movies more than Korean dramas(dramas are shite). Korean kids are not more familiar with western culture than Korean culture. They're rather exposed to a Korean version of western culture, which is very different.

But I do agree English is useless for most of them and all those resources are wasted unless they're motivated to learn. Learning another language can open you up to another world of culture and knowledge, but those kids are not gonna get there with the current system.

[newinseoul]

fermentation I know what you mean with the current system. If English was as important as the government wishes it to be, then you'd think the system would be improving over time. It doesn't seem to be. I've been here three years now.

[toadhjo]

[phoneboothface]

[NightSky]

[newinseoul]

^ That made my day! I'll tell him! Well..maybe not.

[bobbyhanlon]

it would be nice if everyone in korea spoke english, and was really internationalised, etc etc., but from what i saw during my time there, 90% of korean people have absolutely no use for english. the money and time spent on it would probably be better used in some other way.

[phoneboothface]

[ESL Milk "Everyday]

I think the only possible way to improve English learning in Korea is to somehow integrate English with the Korean identity. The biggest stumbling block to learning here is the lack of motivation-- because English is still perceived as something which has very little to do with Korea.

It's not that the language is too difficult-- I've met plenty of Koreans who were really, really good at it. The difference is that they take tests, and push themselves-- that's all.

if anything, the problem is politics and the public perception of foreigners, and what learning English symbolizes.

[Lonewolf]

Don't learn English or other languages. And don't come bitching to me when you go traveling and no one speaks Korean. Because you didn't want to learn English like everyone else.

[Goku]

[beercanman]

I really think a lot of kids would be better off if they had more time to play and have fun, kick around a soccer ball or something. If people have interest/aptitude/ability, they can learn a foreign language. I've met a few people (Korean and Chinese women) who said they didn't start learning English until middle school, starting with ABC, and they speak it pretty well.