한국 영어영문학의 위기 재조명: 교육통계 자료를 중심으로

The Crisis of English Studies in Korea:Evidence from National Educational Statistics

The downturn of English Language and Literature programs in Korea, which is evident in their continuously decreasing number of departments and enrolled students, has not received academic attention, and thus this study aims to provide a systemic analysis of Korean Educational Statistics Service (KESS) data to help understand the current situation and promote productive discussions on the future of English programs in Korea. The statistical figures concerning the number of departments, admission quotas, applicants, entrants, enrolled students, graduates, international students, and full-time faculty from 2016 to 2025 were compared with those of the broader categories, Language and Literature, the Humanities, and the whole departments in Korea. The results, which point to an undeniable contraction in the field, are as follows: First, the number of the departments and admission quotas have dropped respectively by 24.6% and 38.1%, and the downward trend is more prominent than in broader categories. Second, the declining competitiveness and lower freshman enrollment rates indicate the weakening interest in English programs among applicants. Third, the total number of enrolled students has been reduced by nearly half, and more critically the estimated student retention ratio has been lowered more rapidly than in broader categories. Fourth, international students, whose enrollment rose steadily across Korean universities, have been less likely to choose English programs, and the number of full-time faculty fell more sharply than in other categories. These structural shifts are not attributed only to demographic shifts and a series of government restructuring policies favoring STEM-oriented initiatives but also to waning interest in English programs among students. To respond to this crisis, this study suggests curriculum reform, interdisciplinary collaboration, and strategies to attract international students.