SOUTH Korean secondary schools will start using graded English textbooks next spring for graded classes, where students take separate lessons based on the level of their academic abilities, The Chosun Ilbo has reported.

According to the South Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, first-year students in middle and high schools will use different English textbooks next year. Graded textbooks for second-year students in middle schools and second and third graders in high schools will be developed in 2010. Third graders in middle schools will get such textbooks in 2011.

Whereas the primary textbooks currently studied in classrooms follow the general curriculum, the graded ones will be divided into difficult, medium and easy. Students may choose textbooks that fit their level. The graded textbooks will be used as supplements to the primary ones.

At present, some 77 percent of middle and high schools in South Korea offer different levels of classes for English. First-year students in many secondary schools are divided into groups of two or three based on their proficiency in English. So far teachers of English have to make up graded teaching materials themselves. “Providing the graded textbooks will reduce the workload for teachers and help upgrade the quality of school lessons,” a ministry official said.

The ministry has approved some 42 auxiliary English textbooks, 25 for middle school students and 17 for high school students. It plans to develop a teacher’s manual by December to provide guidance in using the graded textbooks. Local education authorities also plan to hold training programs for teachers for the same purpose.

The ministry is also considering developing graded textbooks for subjects other than English.