English program for blind students

By Chung Hyun-chae

Sogang University will offer a four-week English training program for visually challenged high school students, under the auspices of the Chung In Wook Human Service Foundation.

Sogang has organized the program since 2013 in collaboration with the welfare foundation, which initiated it in 2007.

The school said on Wednesday that seven students would study at the London House School of English in London from July 20-Aug. 15.

Two guides and three Sogang University student volunteers will accompany the participants.

“With the experiences of studying with diverse students from all over the world, I hope visually impaired students can develop into global leaders,” Bae Young-gil, Sogang University director of general affairs, said.

Applications will be accepted via email (sew_admin@sogang.ac.kr) until March 25. The application form can be downloaded from the foundation’s Internet homepage at: www.chungiw-hsf.or.kr.

The seven candidates will be selected on March 28, based on their English proficiency and interviews.

The students will receive 6 million won ($5,316) to cover airfare, lodging and tuition.

“We’ll give extra points to underprivileged students or those with total blindness, even though they are not highly fluent in English compared to others, as many of them rarely have chance to learn English,” Kim Mun-shik, another school official, said.

For more information, call (02) 705-4710.