op4) Traning Existing Teachers for Speaking Class

OP4)What do you think needs to be done to improve English education in your country? (Think of one suggestion and explain why you think it is needed.)





Training Existing Teachers for Speaking Class





English is an international language. To survive in this competing world, English proficiency is essential. As Korean language is totally different from English language in the structure aspect, mastering English is more challenging and needs more time for Koreans than others. Therefore, how to educate has a big influence upon Koreans’ English proficiency. Although Koreans are educated English for at least 10 years until they graduate from high schools, their English speaking proficiency is not satisfying. Most Korean students have extra English classes at private institutions to improve their English. It is obvious that the core problem is in public English Education system.





To enhance English Education in Korea, we need to train existing English teachers. The main reason is that we need English teachers who can teach English in English. As English is a language, it makes a sense that people who learn English can speak English and communicate in English. However, in reality, it is hard to find people who are taught English by only public English Education system can speak English fluently. It will take time to make English classes taught in English. Therefore, we have to consider what should be the first step. I think the most urgent matter is qualified teachers.





Next, we need to extend the number of speaking classes taught in English. To do this, qualified English teachers who can teach English in English are necessary. According to the research in 2006, 50% of present English teachers are able to teach English in English and 20% of existing English teachers teach in English now. This result is not hopeless since there are 50% of present English teachers who can teach in English. With more specific and practical training for them, teaching in English can be done on a small scale, and gradually expanded. For instance, teachers can do some activities such as group activities and presentation. Leading this kind of classes doesn’t need lots of usage of English. Then, they can try to teach grammar or reading in English. By doing this, students can learn not only grammar and reading but also speaking.





At last, English classes taught in English by trained qualified English teachers can help alteration of English Education curriculum and assessment. If a public English Education curriculum changes first without teachers’ training, that changed curriculum will be useless because teachers don’t know how to teach. Or, if the assessment system changes into the one including speaking part first without teachers’ training, students will have to go to the private institutions to prepare speaking test because public Education is not enough for them to take a speaking test. Therefore, training teachers should be the first thing for better English Education. After training the present English teachers, the range of teachers’ training can be expanded into the preliminary teachers.





All in all, to improve public English education in Korea, the first step should be training existing English teachers. This training helps the present teachers enable to teach English in English. Naturally, speaking classes can be practiced. In turn, the curriculum focused on grammar and reading will change into the one including speaking as well. Also, this changed curriculum will affect the assessment system. It will take long time to enhance public English Education by changing many things. However, the truth is it’s time to reform English Education system.

I agree with you. We should train English teachers. I never spoken English in my school life. Speaking is most important part in English. In my memory, English teacher always read and interpret textbook. It made students didn't like English in Korea.

When it comes to speaking, not much progress can be observed in old teachers even though they are trained much more than before because their pronunciation and way of speaking are usually fossilized. On the contrary, it will be effective for young teachers. Therefore, to solve this problem, it would be necessary to have a specialized teacher like a speaking teacher, or listening, reading and so on.