OP8) To date, most of the English language instruction carried out in public schools has been oriented around reading and grammar skills. How do you think the next generation of teachers in Korea could ensure that teaching approaches incorporate a more ev

Young Mon Jun 02 2008, 18:11

English Education Integrated by Four Main Skills

There are four main areas in learning English: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. It can be said a good English education when English is taught covering these four skills evenly. However, Korean English education has been oriented to grammar and reading. As the language structures of Korean and English are totally different, it is necessary for Koreans to understand English in a grammatical, scientific way. However, the problem is that many Koreans are not confident enough to communicate in English despite lots of public English education, and they are not still learning genuine English. Therefore, the fact that Korean English education has to be changed has been issue for a long time. Next generation English teachers should approach in different, feasible ways. Teaching English in English, using various teaching materials, and applying grammar and reading in speaking and writing are the ways to help them teach with balance and integration of skills evenly.

First of all, TEE (Teaching English in English) is a good way for listening and speaking. So far, most English classes (over 90%) have been being conducted in Korean. TEE enables to expose students in English-spoken context more and naturally cover listening and speaking skills. Especially, TEE is in the core of Korean English education which will be a new one. Also, many countries that have succeeded in English education like Finland follow the way of TEE. TEE context helps students not only listen to English but also be familiar with the way of English thinking. Probably, as time goes by, students can ask questions in English and be answered in English as well. This will be the starting point for students to go to the free talking. Then, by extending the number of speaking and listening classes, English classes oriented to grammar and reading will be decreased and students can benefit from those practical TEE classes.

Next, since how to teach and stimulate students is important, using various kinds of teaching materials is another way to accomplish integration of skills. The ordinary, common material is using textbooks, sometimes radios. English classes are taught with textbooks are not active and students are passive in this setting. In learning any languages, learners need to be active and participants. In addition to textbooks and radios, it would be very effective to use movies and dramas. Also, the access of the internet is available in every classroom and computers and video projectors are equipped as well. With these mechanisms, students can concentrate better. Moreover, dramas or movies are used to teach all skills. For example, teachers can teach listening and writing at the same time by letting students listen and take dictation. Plus, students can practice speaking with the scripts. Other effective materials are English magazines, maps, fliers, and novels that native people usually read. These are living materials which provide chances to learn genuine English for students. Teachers also let students have group works with these materials.

Last but not least, teachers can apply grammar and reading in speaking and writing. From my experience, after understanding the difference of language structures between English and Korean, my English was improved more and I could write journals in English. When reading, English grammar helped me comprehend complicated English sentences. Likewise, based on the grammar, teachers can instruct students how to apply grammar in writing and reading. Also, we need to learn not only spoken English for real situations but also academic English for discussion and presentation. Grammar is needed to produce logical, refined sentences. By applying grammar in speaking and writing, students will not think grammar is useless any more and can enjoy integrated English. In case of reading, it can be base for speaking and writing. After students read novels or articles, teachers can make students have discussion time in groups or write journal response in English. This is a very common, original method of English education, but in present public English classes, we can hardly see that this is used.

All in all, English education oriented to grammar and reading in Korean has led unsuccessful results, which arouses the necessity of change in English education. Integrating and covering four main English skills will be one of the solutions. To achieve incorporated English education, it will be effective ways to teach English in English, use various teaching materials, and apply grammar and reading in speaking and writing. Actually, English is accepted as not a language but one subject that students have to study. In my opinion, English is not just studying with our brain such math and science, but practical one such as music and P.E. In this aspect, Korean English education is going to the totally different way. Therefore, English education mixed with all parts of skills appropriately will be able to yield successful, positive result by all means.