Views and Experiences of English Language Education for Young Learners in South Korea: Has Korea government achieved its goal in introducing English language to public primary school?
Title
Views and Experiences of English Language Education for Young Learners in South Korea: Has Korea government achieved its goal in introducing English language to public primary school?
Views and Experiences of English Language Education for Young Learners in South Korea: Has Korea government achieved its goal in introducing English language to public primary school?
Keywords: Globalisation, English language, public sector (state school), private sector.
Authors
WooJoo Lee
University of Manchester, U.K.
WooJoo Lee
University of Manchester, U.K.
Bio Data
WooJoo Lee is a researcher of English teaching materials for Young Learners in South Korea. She acquired her Ph.D. in the University of Manchester, U.K.
Abstract
This paper explored parents’ views on English language education in South Korea, and how parents and children experience public and private English language sectors. The aim of my research was to find out how government achieved its aims for introducing English language in primary school in South Korea. The participants in the research included 40 parents and three child-parent dyads. The data for the study was generated using questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire and interview data was explored through content analysis leading to the identification of common views and themes. The findings of my study reveal that parents and children all viewed the English language as an important global phenomenon, and they acknowledged that English language education at the primary level is inevitable in a globalised world. In terms of sectors, the private sector seems to be better at satisfying parents’ aspirations for their children. This paper concludes with comparing the first intension of government s aims and how it has been changed according to parents and children s views and experiences of English language education in primary school. This is an attempt to suggest the government to think before they act. That is, government needs to be on children s and parents shoes before changing English education policies in South Korea because it is important to understand the actual learners experiences.
This paper explored parents’ views on English language education in South Korea, and how parents and children experience public and private English language sectors. The aim of my research was to find out how government achieved its aims for introducing English language in primary school in South Korea. The participants in the research included 40 parents and three child-parent dyads. The data for the study was generated using questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaire and interview data was explored through content analysis leading to the identification of common views and themes. The findings of my study reveal that parents and children all viewed the English language as an important global phenomenon, and they acknowledged that English language education at the primary level is inevitable in a globalised world. In terms of sectors, the private sector seems to be better at satisfying parents’ aspirations for their children. This paper concludes with comparing the first intension of government s aims and how it has been changed according to parents and children s views and experiences of English language education in primary school. This is an attempt to suggest the government to think before they act. That is, government needs to be on children s and parents shoes before changing English education policies in South Korea because it is important to understand the actual learners experiences.
See pages 16-29
[/private]Category: Monthly Editions, Volume 56
