Communicative Competence: A look at South Korea's struggle for English proficiency

Communicative CompetenceA look at South Korea’s struggle for English proficiency

By Kevin Silverson

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78 Years of Korean History in 5 Steps

Korea under Japanese rule

The Korean War

2 revolutions and 3 coup d'états

1910 - 1945

1960 - 1987

1948

1950 - 1953

Formation of the Republic of Korea (South Korea)Formation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea)

1988 First democratic elections held in South Korea

Source: Wikipedia. (2010). Timeline of Korean history. Retrieved December 28, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Korean_history

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Korean GDP from 1911 - 2008

South Korean GDP (PPP) evolution from 1911 to 2008 in millions of 1990 international dollars.

Source: Wikimedia Commons. (2010). South Korea’s GDP growth from 1911 to 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2010, from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Korea%27s_GDP_%28PPP%29_growth_from_1911_to_2008.png

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The Asian Tigers

South Korea

Taiwan

Hong Kong

Singapore

Source: Artbackwash. (2010). Grab a tiger by it’s tail. Retrieved December 27, 2010, from http://artbackwash.blogspot.com/2007/08/grab-tiger-by-its-tail.html

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Seoul and the Han River

1910

Source: Flickr. (2010). Colonial Seoul. Retrieved January 5, 2011, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/kernbeisser/sets/72157610634154316/

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Subway System

1974 2009

Source: SMRT. (2008). Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation. Retrieved January 9, 2011, from http://www.smrt.co.kr/Train/Subwaymap/Eng/Subwaymap.jsp /

15%

10%10% 10%

9%

8%

8%

8%8%

4%4%3%3%

Top 13 Korean Exports in 2009

Ships

Semiconductors

Wireless Telecommunication

Machinery

Petrochemicals

Auto

LCD Devices

Steel Products

Oil Products

Auto Parts

Textiles

Home Appliances

Computers

Source: Wikipedia. (2011). Economy of South Korea. Retrieved January 11, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_Korea /

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“Strengthen Korea’s bridging role between advanced and less-privileged countries.”

~ President Lee Myeong Bak

“Seek more free trade agreements to expand Korea’s economic territory.”

“Become a more advanced and globalized country.”

“Attract more attention from global investors.”

Source: J.J. Na. (2010). Lee impressed by foreigners’ calm reaction to NK attacks. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/12/113_78874.html /

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“Foreigners rate Koreans as the worst communicators in English among 12 Asian countries.”

~ H.C. Jeon

“The estimated amount spent on Englisheducation in 2005 reached up to $15 billion US.”

~ J.K. Park

Source: Jeon, H. C. (2006). The economics of English. CEO Information, 5(445), 11-17.Source: Park, J. K. (2009). English fever in South Korea: its history and symptoms. English Today, 97(25), 50-57.

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Between 3rd grade in elementary school and 10th grade in high school, students have 680 hours of English class time.

Source: MEST. (2010). Primary education. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://english.mest.go.kr/web/1695/site/contents/en/en_0205.jsp

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The Grammar Translation Method “does virtually nothing to enhance a student’s communicative ability in the language.”

~ H.D. Brown

Source: Brown, H. D. (2007). Principles of language learning and teaching. (5th ed.). White Plains, NY: Pearson Education.

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CLT = Communicative Language Teaching

The basic premise behind CLT is “the idea that the goal of language learning is to become good at using language for communication.”

~ P. McKenzie-Brown

Source: McKenzie-Brown, P. (2006). What is CLT?. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://languageinstinct.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-is-clt-language-competencies.html

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Conference Paper Outline

Introduction of CLT and its application in Korea

Textbook and teacher training deficiencies

Issues faced by students, including exposure to the target language and insufficient language testing methods

Recommendations

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Thank you!