By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Learning English has many ways ― from listening to music, watching movies to just writing a diary ― but one effective way recommended by students and English experts alike would be none other than: debating.
Ian Yovdoshuk is the host of a debate program ``Face to Face'' on Arirang TV. , and also a debate instructor at Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies (HAFS), high school that is affiliated with Hankuk Universtiy of Foreign Studies. He is a strong believer of debate who says that it is not only a great way to learn English effectively, but also a great method of building self-confidence and much more.
``Debate is the best way for students to acquire so many skills at the same time, and have fun doing it,'' he told The Korea Times.
Debate was not Ian's initial expertise, it was simply one of his many interests. After graduating from high school, he studies the culinary arts, worked as a professional chef, received his undergraduate degree in fine arts at Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) and also worked at the National Gallery of Canada for two years.
He first visited Korea as an exchange student at his third year of NSCAD and ended up staying for a year. He came back after graduation and after working at foreign high schools, he settled at HAFS and now organizes the Korea High School Debate Championships (KHSDC).
Living in Korea, it was not hard to realize that learning English was one of the top priorities for Korean students and also the parents. However, high as the demand may be, he says Korea still needs a more efficient education management system. Ian mentioned that ``education management as a field of specialization is yet to reach Korea'' and that many teachers are just used to their old routine, rather than picking up more efficient and effective tactics, like debating.
``Students learn to research, how to take dictation and concentrate on what people are thinking to derive meaning. This is all active thinking, listening, comprehension, speaking and writing,'' he said.
In this sense, ``Face to Face'' is a program for students who are eager to come up onstage, express their ideas of current issues and more than willing to handle pressure. The program is carried out with a type of debate that allows the speaker to interrupt the opponent at certain times, making the process more interesting and interactive. The debate is presented in English, obviously, but Ian said that it is not the language ability that matters, but the presentation skills.
``It's just a great opportunity that students get out there and voice their opinions on topics and issues that are current in society,'' he said.
Despite the efforts made by some programs and teachers, he also pointed out some problems of Korean high schools and their English education system. As a former teacher at foreign language high schools, he said that it is important to understand the true effect of debating and put efforts to merge the debating culture into the everyday lives of high school students.
``At the high school level, everything is subverted to the suneung (the state-run College Scholastic Ability Test). But as high school debate grows, and if the principals (of high schools) acknowledge debate as an activity (in learning English), that will be the rainfall that turns into the river. And then that river will flow into the collegiate ocean,'' he said.
Ian's expectations were high and he had his teams to back him up. His team won the KHSDC 2008, and despite the fierce competition in international debate championships, he was confident that Korean students were one of the best in the world.
``Debate is an activity. In places where English is a second language, as a vehicle to practice and learn English, it's great. That's why I do it. And (that's why I'm) so hooked on it,'' Ian said.
``Face to Face'' is aired on Saturdays at 8:30, Arirang TV.