hsong03

** __DIALOGUE:__ **

//Ricky met Professor Kim who wrote about history of English education in Korea and Mr. Khadka who is researching on Global English at Starbucks on Marshall Street. It was great timing for Ricky since he was looking for someone to provide him some information about his research essay topic.//

Ricky: Professor Kim, Mr. Khadka! Nice to see both of you here!

Kim: Hey! Ricky, how is everything going this semester?

Ricky: Not so great, I am struggling with most of my classes.

Khadka: I see. So what classes are you taking this semester?

Ricky: I am taking business core classes and an accounting class and a writing class.

Kim: What are you doing in your writing class? Are you having trouble in any of writing assignments?

Ricky: It great that you asked me that because I was having trouble while researching my topic for next assignment. Do you guys mind if I buy you guys another cup of coffee and talk little bit about my research topic?

Kim & Khadka: Sure! We did not have anything to do either. We will be glad to give you some information if we can.

Ricky: So, I am currently researching on how the English has impacted on mostly in Korean culture and also in Korean culture.

Kim: That’s a very interesting topic but also a hard topic to talk about! So what do you know about your topic?

Ricky: Since I am an international student from Korea, I have always concerned about the takeover of English and American culture in Korea. And also I am a student who experienced the current education system in Korea so I chose this topic for my research essay.

Kim: That is great since I know about when the English education started in Korea and how it is affecting Korean students. English education was first introduced in Korea in 1883, and that is the start of Korean students learning English. English was not a major part in education system in Korea however, around mid 1990s it started booming.

Ricky: Yeah! I remember that I started learning English in 2nd grade. So I guess I was right in the middle of English booming era in Korea.

Kim: I think so. Since mid 1990s Korean department of education started requiring English courses in schools. After that there was a huge increase in number of people who are taking TOEFL tests and also a lot of people start immigrating or studying abroad to United States. I guess you are one of those people?

Ricky: That’s right. I immigrated to here because my parents hated Korean education system but also they wanted me to learn English and have better opportunities for the future.

Kim: It is kind of sad if you think about it because I feel like Korean students are losing their culture by domination of American influence. More students are spending tremendous amount of money in studying and learning English besides school works.

Ricky: I think the problem comes from the current Korea society where people are looking up those who can speak English and believe that everyone can be successful if they learn English.

Kim: I agree with that too. It seems like a lot of people are so called “Americanized” if you see the current Korean society where everyone is trying to adapt American culture in variety ways. So I think it will be nice for you to think about not only English impact on education system but also cultural and societal influences of English in Korea in order to make your paper more precise.

Khadka: I think what Professor Kim told you is very useful source in your research paper and I also have some advises for you since I am researching same topic as you are but more broadly of English influences in global.

Ricky: So can you tell me about how English is impacting globally?

Khadka: It is not only Korea which is having great influences of English but also the entire world. As you know, English is considered as “World language.” Everywhere in the world, people at least know to speak basic English. Influence of English is not limited only in language wise but in variety ways just like Professor Kim told you.

Ricky: What are some important English influences that you think mostly crucial?

Khadka: It is hard to pick certain influences but I can tell you that it is massive. Not only in Korea but many countries around the world is requiring English classes after realizing the importance of English. Do you feel that you have advantage since you know how to speak English?

Ricky: Of course. I know a lot of people are trying to learn English but still there are not many people who are fluent as native speakers.

Khadka: Exactly. That is why many people from different countries are immigrating to United States or countries like Australia and Great Britain where the English is their first language. So if were you, I would definitely spend some time looking at more broad range effect of English, rather than just focusing on one spot of Korea.

Ricky: Thank you guys, I have got great advises from you two. I know my topic is not quite an easy to research on since it is such a sensitive topic in many areas. I understand what to research more on now. I guess I got a lot of work to do now. Hopefully, I will see you guys soon again or I will come by to ask some more questions. Is that okay for both of you?

Kim & Khadka: We’re fine. Come by anytime if you have any more questions about essay or anything else that we can help you. Okay? We’ll see you later Ricky.

Ricky: Thanks a lot. See you guys later.

 The influence of English in Korea has been crucial in both educational and social point of view. How people accept and brought the English towards the Korean society had great influence on booming of learning English. Today in Korea, it seems like it is mandatory to learn English to survive from the extremely competitive society. Why are Korean people eager to learn English? The booming of learning English in Korea started as American influences heavily affected Korean society. As the society got more competitive to get job and unemployment rate keep increased even though people graduate from top 5 colleges in Korea, they seek to find better way to develop their resume. That is how the booming of learning English has started in Korea. The influence of English is not only crucial in Korea but also all over the world. Since the America is such a huge country with great population, and as more American people are traveling all over the world, English became the “World language.” At least few people in every country know how to speak basic English. Because America has such a great strength, people from other countries want to take advantage of speaking English also and that is how English has become one of top languages in the world. People from other countries do not easily understand how hard Korean students are studying and how intense the current education system is in Korea. I am also a victim of Korean education system where high school students wake up at 5 o’clock in the morning and come back home around 11 o’clock at night. They are staying at school almost whole day except few hours to for sleep at home. Why are Korean students studying so intense? The answer is simple; to get into better college which will lead them to get better job than other people in the society. It is hard for both parents and students who have to go through this “outrageous” education system. That is why my parents decided to immigrate to United States where their child can have better education and where better opportunities are guaranteed rather than staying in Korea and suffer with insane education system. Why do schools force students to learn English, and why is English class mandatory in Korean schools now? The Korean government realize how important to learn English to compete with other countries and go global. Therefore, it started to teach English in schools with after school classes with only students to pay for the classes, and then now they expand it to mandatory classes in every school from kindergarten through high school. Now, Korean students are taking at least one class of English everyday with Native Americans who are hired to teach English to Korean students. Both Korean students and parents realized the importance of learning English in both societal and educational ways. I talked to my uncle who is living in Korea by phone and when I asked how he thinks about current Korean society along side with influence of English. He is a father of two children and he told me that he is having problem both financially and educationally while teaching his children English lessons separately than school English classes. He is sending both children to English academy right after school because that is what all other students in Korea do. He did not want his children to get behind from any other children therefore he is spending tremendous amount of money on educational expenses. It is not a little issue in Korea because it costs couple of thousand U.S. dollars to send their children to English Academy every month. But uncle is literally forcing himself to send his children to learn English. However, it is not only my uncle’s story but also in numerous families in Korea. Some people have enough money to send their child directly to America but that’s only few families comparing to whole society. Most families are forcing themselves even though they are having financial difficulty to let their children to have equal education as other students. Korean parents want their children to compete with others in equal condition as they can.
 * __DRAFT:__ **