Impact of English as an International Language on ELT in Korea: Theory, Practices and Perspectives

Cho, Young Gyo (조영교)

Impact of English as an International Language on ELT in Korea: Theory, Practices and Perspectives

인문논총
2016, 39(), pp.3-26
Publisher : Institute for Human studies, Kyungnam University
Research Area : Humanities > Other Humanities
Published : February 28, 2016

Cho, Young Gyo ¹

¹경남대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study examines the major impact of global discourse of English as an international language (EIL) on English language teaching (ELT) in Korea with primary focus given to education policies and pedagogical practices operating within the nation’s English language teaching. The study first reviewed the major changes in English education policies since the 1990s in which English was officially recognized as an international language in the government’s rhetoric (following segyehwa policy) and began to spread its social presence within the nation as a guiding theme for educational upheaval. The study also examined higher institutions' practices on ELT and students' perspectives on English learning as a review of the potential representations of these political changes. The study shows that global discourses of EIL impose considerable influence on Korean English education. The political ideals and motivations for revamping the frame of ELT paved the base for the National Education Curricula(the 6th Revision), in which communicative competence was proclaimed first time in the nation’s history as the primary goal for English language teaching. The promotion of functional syllabi as a step to develop communicative competence seems to be a firmly established objective for ELT pedagogy at all school levels; yet the analysis of students' perspectives reveals that such national objectives leave a significant gap in our understanding of the reality of English classrooms, in which test-oriented pedagogy prevails over communicative competence as the primary ELT objective. Needs-based ELT syllabi and clear standards for student achievement are discussed.

KEYWORDS

English as an international language, communicative competence, ELT, English language policy

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

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