Analyzing Research Trends in English Education: A Comparative Study of the 2015 and 2022 Revised Curricula

This study examines research trends in English education under the 2015 and 2022 Revised Curricula in South Korea, focusing on evolving priorities through keyword network analysis. A total of 48 studies related to the 2015 Revised Curriculum and 91 studies related to the 2022 Revised Curriculum were analyzed, extracting 684 and 1,372 keywords, respectively, using NetMiner 4.4.8 and the Biblio Data Collector (BDC). The 2015 Revised Curriculum emphasized communicative competence, learner-centered approaches, and cultural integration, with keywords like ‘activity’ and ‘culture’ reflecting its focus on practical English skills. Centrality analysis highlighted the pivotal role of learner engagement and collaboration in research themes. In contrast, the 2022 Revised Curriculum demonstrated a shift toward structured, competency-based learning, with keywords such as ‘competency’, ‘content’ and ‘achievement standards’ reflecting its focus on measurable outcomes and systematic instructional alignment. Topic modeling identified a thematic transition from cultural integration and communicative competence in 2015 to instructional design and competency development in 2022. These findings reveal a shift from activity-based approaches to outcomeꠓdriven strategies, reflecting societal and technological advancements. The results provide insights into curriculum reforms and offer a foundation for enhancing English education to meet global and educational demands.