More schools to offer int’l curriculum
International and foreign-language schools have long been regarded as “expensive upscale institutions” reserved for top-scoring students with wealthy family backgrounds, but the Ministry of Education in Korea seeks to broaden the range of those who can benefit from the kind of language-oriented, quality courses that those specialized institutions provide.The Ministry of Education yesterday designated five regions to undertake a project aimed at fostering more English language-oriented primary, middle and high schools across the region.
The five districts are: Buk and Dalseo District in Daegu; Yeonsu and Seo District in Incheon, and Yeosu City in South Jeolla.
What distinguishes the designated schools from the existing specialty schools is the way they choose students. They will be accepted by a lottery system.
The courses of these schools gravitate towards English and other foreign languages like Chinese, but, unlike other international or elite foreign language schools, the school fees remain the same as common public schools.
The Ministry of Education also aims to combine Western-style discussion classes as well, where students are encouraged to discuss international affairs in different foreign languages, according to an official of the education ministry in an interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily.
BY PARK EUN-JEE [ejpark@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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