Asian EFL Journal: English Language Teaching and Research Articles

June 2002 Articles

The first article. Modern Korean education is based on two competing systems, that given by the government and that given by private enterprise. The later clearly dominates the students life from elementary school through to University studies. Hitherto rote learning had characterized the Korean education system, with students rewarded for pure memory as opposed to creativity. This system is under attack from progressive educationalists, however, no matter what reforms are brought about, the fact remains that Korean education,at all levels, is underpinned by the silent yet strangling force of Confucianism. Until reformists accept this and build it into the learning cycle, rote learning will pervade all levels of learning.

The second article. What is the "Chinese learner and are there social phenomena acting upon this entity that is changing the way the Chinese government determine future educational curricula to meet China's changing needs? In this work Chinese learner is basically defined as a Chinese national living within mainland China who falls inside the broad category of 'student.'

The third article. This work will analyze cross-cultural communications between Korean native speakers and myself, and will review the literature to date.