By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff reporter
Korea has been successful in promoting its "Teach and Learn in Korea" (TaLK) program overseas, attracting many ethnic Koreans and other expatriate students in English speaking countries to teach English at rural elementary schools, the nation's top international education expert said Friday.
In a speech addressed to teachers and education-related professionals from the United States and other countries during the "2010 NAFSA Conference & Expo" in Kansas City, the United States, National Institute for International Education (NIIED) President Chung Sang-ki said the TaLK program has become a major international volunteer program in Asia's fourth largest economy, providing both foreign English teachers and Korean students with valuable experience.
"Korea's global standing has improved substantially over the years through the hosting of the G-20 summit in November this year and the nuclear security summit in 2012. Now is the time for talented youths in Korea to go abroad and explore opportunities outside the country. It is the same for competent individuals overseas to come to Korea and test their talents. To do so, we, educators, should promote academic exchange programs and offer more scholarships," Chung said.
He then said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) he signed with University of California Davis and other U.S. universities will help foster the TaLK program, internationalize Korea's education system and improve its global image.
The Korean government has been inviting students on scholarships, including Koreans overseas and foreign students who have English as their mother tongue to teach the language at local schools, easing the gap in English education between urban and rural students and to raise Korea-friendly expatriates.
The participants are placed in rural areas where elementary school students have few chances to meet native English speakers. To help TaLK participants adjust to life there, Korean university students are paired up with them.
The program started in August 2008 with 380 in the first batch. The number increased to 605 in March this year, with 305 renewing their contracts. The students receive a scholarship and monthly housing support during their stay in Korea.
They first go through three weeks of training by the National Institute for International Education and one week by local education offices before being placed in elementary schools. The training covers teaching methods as well as Korean culture and life skills.