TEE Writing Assignment

Jongwoo wrote:Recently, the Korean government announced their plan that every English class in all Korean secondary schools should be conducted only in English. Many, especially among the present teachers of English, have raised worries over this plan, as they regard it to be impractical and inappropriate considering poor English proficiency of Korean students and even themselves. Unfeasible it may seem at the first glance, however, it will do more good than harm. The actual practice may be difficult, but its proper application will certainly bring tremendous benefits into ill-functioning, out-dated English education in Korean public schools.

First of all, Teaching-English-in-English [TEE] strategy will provide students with more opportunities to make interactions in English. The primary objective of TEE is to teach the language as a means of communication, and this is achieved by encouraging rigorous use of the actual language. In this approach, students as well as teachers are required to speak and write exclusively in English. A variety of tasks and activities are implemented both inside and outside the classroom boundary, which are carefully designed to promote personalized language experience. With more opportunities to use genuine language, students will more easily internalize the target language.

Another benefit that TEE will bring us is that it will develop more practical English skills than any other pedagogical approach. Until now, the majority of English classes in Korean public schools have been based on the grammar-translation method. This old-fashioned method has proved to be effective in passing academic knowledge of a language to the students, and thus better prepare them to develop "test techniques". Thanks to this approach, most Korean people have attained significant knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary. The problem with the current English education in Korean public schools, however, is that students never learn to use their knowledge of English. By teaching English in English, students will have chances to practice English in meaningful context, and thus develop practical skills of the language.

Finally, TEE ensures that students' English learning experience is highly enjoyable. Since TEE approach is to promote the actual use of the language, its success depends on students' participation. It means that teachers must make classroom activities interesting enough to elicit students' attention and motivate them to make interactions willingly. In the current English education system of Korean public schools that is centered on mechanic translation and memorization, most students find English a tiring subject to study. TEE is the enhanced teaching techniques through which students will realize that learning English is practical and pleasant, and consequently they will make more effots into the language acquisition process.

Considering that English is a living tool of interpersonal communication, mere transfer of academic knowledge, which the current English education in Korean public schools seems to be aimed at, is not sufficient to meet the needs of this global age. Unlike the archaic grammar-translation method, TEE strategy enables students to make interactions in English, and thus develop practical English skills. Moreover, under TEE approach, English learning experience will be ever more enjoyable, raising the students' intrinsic motivation. With all these benefits, TEE stands out as the most appropriate way of teaching English.