NATIVE English teachers in South Korea responded unenthusiastically to “culture courses”, The Korea Times has reported.
The reaction came after representative Cho Jeon-hyuk of the South Korean Grand National Party submitted a bill aimed at providing a mandatory course on South Korean culture to native English speakers at elementary and middle schools as well as private language institutes. Cho indicated that he is seeking programs that will help native English instructors better understand local culture and improve their teaching skills. But native English speakers spoke negatively of the plan. “Nothing should be mandatory. The course should be offered, but optional,” said Mark Whitty, who works as a teacher of English at a kindergarten in Seoul. Another instructor Christopher Kim said: “I think teachers will not take the courses seriously. I also don’t think it will make a big impact on them.”
The number of foreigners with E-2 or English-teaching visas in South Korea has risen to about 43,000 this year from 29,236 in 2006. Cho’s office expects the number to reach 50,000 by 2012.
