Hanyang University Student Calls for Better English System

[영어도우미]

Hanyang University Student Calls for Better English System

In the middle of the English class at Hanyang University in Seoul

Korean universities are increasing the number of English courses believing that this will increase students' competitiveness and make them a 'global challenger.'

Some students believe that putting so much time and efforts into the education of English in the name of giving higher education could have been a road to mistake.

Some people said "English frenzy and glorification of a language in Korea has gone overboard." They continued to say "The purpose of coming to university at all is to learn more about the world and sharpen our analytical skills so we can behave and live with a heightened sense of awareness."

The universities' one-sided faith in English curriculum is not only impractical but also distorts the whole purpose of secondary education.

It appears that simply increasing the number of English classes in universities does not meet many Korean students' expectations of an ideal university education.

"We want quality learning that will raise our competitiveness," said Park Eun-Young, business major student at Hanyang University. "This means diversifying the scope of knowledge, not just our English proficiency."

There is also another problem in that subject regarding the outlook of English learning environment considering that participants (students and professors) were not native English speakers.

Surprisingly, the English proficiency of the participants did not seem to be the main concern of the students. It appeared that students' dissatisfaction evolved not around the incapacity of the professors in English, but on the structure of the education system.

"I don't care how good professor's English ability is. But he does not know how to teach the fundamentals of the subject in English," said Choi Choon-Won, business major student at Hanyang University. "I think what the professor knows and how he conveys the idea is more important to how much the students can learn. Just because your English is great does not mean the quality of the class is better."

Students have some suggestions that will be effective in increasing students' competitiveness. "If university really wanted to increase competitiveness of the students, they should focus on refining students on cultural awareness," said Lee Ji-Eun.

Kim Do-Hyun claimed "Competitiveness really depends on being able to think independently." Another student, Lee Jun-Hee claimed "Even though people have to learn English in this era to stay competitive, English should not be the focus of the university education."

It is about the time that Korean government and education system look into themselves to come up with more realistic and efficient ways to meet the students' demands. It is not the language that is the key in raising one's competitiveness.

After all, the point is that merely learning "in English" should not overtake the importance of learning "in-depth" knowledge-what universities are really for.

http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db2/read_letters.php?idx=6753

VOCABULARY LIST :

frenzy - a mania; a craze; a state of great excitement

go overboard - to go to extremes, esp. in regard to approval or disapproval of a person or thing

distort - to give a false or misleading account of; misrepresent.

diversify - to give variety to; vary

convey - to communicate; impart; make known; serve as a means for expressing something

in-depth - well-balanced or fully developed; extensive, thorough, or profound

DISCUSSION POINTS :

1. How would you define ‘competitiveness’?

2. Do you agree that increasing the number of English courses in Korean universities will boost the students'

    competitiveness? Please support your answer.

3. How do you think universities can improve the competitiveness of their students?

4. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of having an English curriculum in universities?

5. Tell me about the curriculum of your university. Are you satisfied with it? Please elaborate on your answer.

6. What do you think is the ideal university education?