It’s Time for a Change!
2 2 4 5 1 6 2 0 6 1 2 4 2 7
2 2 2 0 5 2 6 2 0 6 1 2 4 2 7
When I say these numbers, what comes to your mind?
Perhaps, you think that they are just a bunch of code numbers or even winning lottery numbers. But, then again, you can't really have any idea, can you? To be honest, I have no idea either. Actually, the numbers that I just mentioned have no meaning at all, I just made them up. However, that is exactly what I want to demonstrate today.
Just like these aforementioned numbers, when there is something that doesn't have any special meaning, then it is just useless information. Unfortunately, almost all Korean students have this same problem they are learning English. They usually just try to memorize everything without any logical understanding behind them just like these useless numbers
For example, if there is a Korean student who is asked by an English-speaking foreigner:"How are you?" The Korean student's answer would most likely be: "I'm fine thank you, and you?" Almost all Korean students would answer exactly the same way.
"I'm fine thank you, and you?" But the big question is, 'why do we have to learn English if we just ask and answer like a trained parrot?' Therefore, many Koreans think that there is a huge problem with the present way of teaching and learning English, and there will be significant changes in the future.
I am really interested in the field of English education, so I would like to talk about the changes that will happen in this field in the future. The paradigm and methods of English education in Korea will greatly change. It will transform from the memorization-based method to one that emphasizes utilization ability.
It will focus on student ability who can use the English skill ability listening, reading and writing freely. An alteration in education methods will change not only how students learn English, but will also change university admissions. Universities will pivot from requiring students that can memorize and recite English to requiring students who can use the language in authentic situations.
Furthermore, English education will expand from teaching it solely as a language of study to teaching other subjects using the English language. In addition, to prepare for the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’,
basic computer programming and coding classes taught in English will be commonplace.
Students will not only have a real-world use for English, and learn interesting and practical future-oriented content that is found in English. This shift will and must happen in Korea.
We need to think about this basic question, "Why should Korean students learn English?" The most important reason is to give our students a more competitive edge in this globalized era. However, the current situation doesn't match the original purpose.
So, we should make our students feel that English is a useful and practical language. To be able to do that, one key step would be to alter our English education system from a endless memorization of English grammar and vocabulary to how well he or she can apply their English knowledge.Eventually, the English education system in Korea will change just as I have discussed.
But the world is changing rapidly, so I sincerely hope this educational transformation will happen soon, so we are not left behind. Everyone in Korea, who teaches and learns English, we need to refocus and enhance our unlimited language potential through wise and practical action.
It is time for a change.
Thank you for listening.