실용 영어 교육 성공을 위한 교육과정 개편 방향

Suggestions for revising curriculum of practical English education.

In January, 2008, when the new government was about to start, the presidential transition committee prepared new policies for reinforcing English education. The policies were designed to completely restructure the English education system in various ways: to increase employment of English teachers specializing in English conversation, to form level-based English classes, to increase the number of English classes, and to thoroughly review English proficiency tests. However, the employment of teachers for English conversation and increase the number of English classes have faced a budget shortage and strong objections from current English teachers. It is expected that these policies will be difficult put into practice. My investigation in the field of English education realities in elementary schools shows that the teachers unanimously insisted that the educational system must be improved. They say that just increasing the number of English classes without revising the current curriculum means that the teachers should spare extra time for English classes. This will result in imposing additional burden on the teachers concerned, and could provoke the desire for private education. In particular, while it is most urgent to foster competent English teachers, the teachers of elementary schools will shrink from completely taking charge of English classes. This is because teachers in charge of English classes will have more classes than other teachers in general. There is no incentive for promotion like granting additional points. Level-based English classes are said to be premature because there are not enough competent English teachers. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should not be rash in announcing English education plans, but should closely examine the realities of English education. Though the government emphasizes practical English education, it is thought to be significantly harder to practice without revising the current curriculum focusing on entering colleges and universities.