Encouraging pupils to study abroad
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Lee Sun-hee, CEO of WHyS Lab, a college entrance consulting institution promoting the Korea Times Education Abroad program, speaks during a briefing session on the American university entrance system, at Seoil High School in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, Feb. 2. / Courtesy of WHyS Lab
Seoil High School forms partnership with foreign universities
Seoil High School Principal Cho Han-koo
By Chung Hyun-chae
Seoil High School is focusing on cultivating global citizens by encouraging students to study abroad and gain overseas experience.
“I hope our students will gain a deeper understanding of the world in the global era, which can only be done by being a part of that world,” Cho Han-koo, the school’s principal, told The Korea Times during an interview at the school in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province.
To this end, the school holds many seminars with outside lecturers, who can give the students advice about studying abroad.
“I try to give as much information to our students as possible so they can dream big,” Cho said.
He also mentioned the importance of informing parents about what’s going on at the school. Cho noted that more than 500 parents attended an information session the school organized in March.
“Children cannot take advantage of opportunities, even though the school provides good programs, unless parents value the benefits of having overseas experience,” Cho said.
The school, which has a student body of 620, has been forging partnerships with foreign universities to offer students more options in higher education.
For example, the high school signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Temple University last year. Under the agreement, the high school can send students to the American university for a summer camp.
“After conducting a demand survey, we plan to regularly send students to the summer camp,” Cho said.
“As far as I know, more than 10 percent of our freshmen chose our school because we encourage studying abroad,” he added.
He also explained the school’s plan to seek more partnerships with foreign universities.
“We are now in talks with a Japanese university about forming a partnership,” Cho said.
English as a tool
Foreign students need a certain level of English proficiency to study at U.S. universities, so the school helps students improve their practical English skills.
“I always emphasize that English is a tool for expressing one’s opinion,” said Choi Yong-won, one of the school’s English teachers.
He said that the school newspaper, published both in Korean and English, is used by English teachers in their classes. Articles in the newspaper are written by the 50-member English newspaper club.
“During English class, some students recommend better expressions than those in the articles,” Choi said.
The school also has a speaking club, in which students discuss various topics in English.
Choi said he brings four to eight students from the club to Seoul every May and November so they can participate in HYmaster, a joint university student English debate club.
“I asked the university student club to allow our students to take part in their discussions to be exposed to English in a variety of formats,” he said.