초등학교 사회과 특성화 영어 몰입식 교육 프로그램이 학생, 학부모, 교사의 인식에 끼친 영향

Influences on perceptions of students, parents, and teachers from an English immersion education program for a social studies class specially grouped for talented elementary school students

The purpose of this study is to explore influences on perceptions of students, parents, and teachers from an English immersion program focusing on a case of social studies class specially grouped for talented elementary school students. Nineteen elementary school students selected for a specialized class, their parents, and 31 immersion teachers’ colleagues were surveyed and/or interviewed for the study. They were asked about their original perceptions of English immersion education and their changed perceptions after experiencing an immersion program. Results from the study showed that students were fairly satisfied with the program and experienced much improvement in their interest and confidence in the proficiencies both in English and the immersion subject. Parents’ and colleague teachers’ perceptions of and attitudes toward English immersion education were initially rather negative but became fairly positive after observing the immersion program. Based on the findings from the study some suggestions are made with regard to the implementation of immersion programs in elementary schools in Korea.