Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

More Teachers Give English Class in Korean
An increasing number of Korean teachers of English give their class in Korean only despite efforts to put more emphasis on English learning, according to a recent survey. The survey showed the ratio of teachers presenting classes in English only in elementary, middle and high schools for an hour each week has declined.

The drop is attributable to the fact that English classes have focused more on helping students prepare for exams rather than in improving their English communication skills. A lack of English proficiency among teachers has also made them conduct classes more in Korean than in English.

Compared with 23 other countries, Korea's English class hours in elementary schools are less than half that of other countries'. Korean third and fourth graders learn English for 34 hours a year on average with fifth and sixth graders having 68 hours a year. However, Chinese first and second graders take English classes for 75-105 hours a year with third to sixth graders having 105 hours of instruction.
By Chung Ah-young, Korea Times (June 6, 2006)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200606/kt2006060618551111970.htm

[endo]

I wonder if the Korean governments focus on having more native english speakers in the public school classroom will lead the the end of hagwons?