Importance Of Learning English
IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING ENGLISH
Practice English with your teacher
Warm-up
Talk about these questions with your teacher.
선생님과 이야기해 보세요.
- The passage describes English education reforms from the 1990s. How has Korean English education changed since then, and do you think it has improved?
- The text says English has become essential in the age of globalization. Do you think this will still be true in 20 years, or might other languages or AI translation reduce its importance?
Vocabulary
Listen and repeat after your teacher.
선생님을 따라 읽어보세요.
Reading
Read the passage with your teacher.
선생님과 함께 지문을 읽어보세요.
English and GlobalizationFinally, after years and years of debate on what to do to improve the quality of
the English education system in Korea, important changes are underway. In 1994 the
English section of the college entrance exam was revised to place more emphasis on
spoken English, instead of grammar and reading comprehension. Also, the teaching of
English is finally being moved down into the elementary school. The Korean
Educational Development Institure has suggested that students majoring in English at
teachers’ colleges be ranked according to their English ability when they apply for jobs.
It also suggested that students planning to become English teachers be taught more
courses in English Conversation than in teaching methods.We are living in the age of globalization, and English as a tool for international
communication has become more important than ever before. Many Korean employers
and at least one government ministry are strengthening their English training
programs to include daily briefing sessions in English.The demand for foreign language
interpreters in Korea has never been higher. In 1988, the year of the Seoul Olympics,
there were only 530 applicants for Hanguk Foreign Language University’s Graduate
School of Interpretation and Translation. But by 1994, the number ofapplicants had
nearly tripled to 1479,and the ratio of applicants to places in the graduate program
was 30 to 1.Ability in English has become absolutely essential for getting a job with any of the
major corporations in Korea these days. And not just English conversation skills. In this
age of globalization English is not only useful but necessary, since it is the primary
language of communication on the Internet.Now more and more businesses are finding out that the worldwide computer network
can be a Money-saver, since it speeds up communication with overseas business
partners.As we look ahead into the 21st century we can be sure that the world will
continue to become more and more globalization and international communication will
become more and more a part of our everyday lives. Only the people who have the
necessary English communication skills will be a part of that exciting new world.
Korean Trap! / 한국인 실수 교정
Common mistakes Korean speakers make.
한국인이 자주 하는 실수를 알아봅시다.
'ability is not enough'는 부자연스럽습니다. 'not good enough' 또는 'insufficient'가 더 자연스럽습니다. 'English ability'보다 'English skills' 또는 'English proficiency'를 쓰세요.
Discussion
Share your thoughts with your teacher.
선생님과 의견을 나눠보세요.
- The passage mentions shifting emphasis from grammar to spoken English on entrance exams. Has this shift actually produced better English speakers in Korea?
- The text suggests English teachers should be ranked by ability, not teaching methods. Is native-like fluency more important than pedagogical skill for language teachers?
- The demand for interpreters tripled in just six years. With AI translation tools now available, is the human interpreter becoming obsolete?
- Korean companies are "strengthening English training programs." Is it fair that English proficiency is often a prerequisite for jobs that don't actually require it?
- You are currently studying English through phone lessons. What do you think is the most effective way to learn a foreign language?
Lesson Summary / 수업 요약
Today's Topic: IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING ENGLISH
Level: Low Advanced (L.A)
Review this lesson before your next class! / 다음 수업 전에 복습하세요!