While I believe that aspects of the administration’s PLAN succeed in contextualizing and legitimizing the language in terms of usage, there is no indication that this should be or need be done across the board. Moreover, this legitimization only appears to be within very discrete terms, outside of the realm of daily communicative competency.

In my experience, one major weakness with the current — and, in all reality, proposed-future — Korean English educational environment is that it treats language acquisition as a quantifiable entity, similar to how systems treat math or science (and shift focus away from the arts and humanities) Everyone must participate, regardless of ends. Everyone must advance, regardless of progress. Success will be decided through standardized tests. I

In all it’s rhetorical glory and “radical” labels, I feel that the current proposal is little more than a shiny veneer placed on one small surface of a largely-failing educational system.

And the photo is 10 years ago. Anyway… it was really not nice of you to criticize other person’s hairdo. Hope you can be more polite (or considerate) later.

In India and the Philippines, English is official but are considered “second languages”. In these two countries, English, although a second lanugage to many of its citizens, is NOT a foreign language as it is in Korea and Japan.

You have to remember, India was a British Colony for 250 years and the Philippines was under American administration for 50 years. The English language now is PART of the Indian and Filipino culture. The T.V. programs, newspapers, radio stations have many articles and programs in English, and also English became the medium of instruction at schools as well as their own languages. The U.S. and Great Britian are two of the most powerful and infuential English speaking super-powers the world has ever seen.

In Korea and Japan, English at this present time is generalized as “foreign” because of the social traditions and customs of both countries. Both countries feel “foreign” influence such as English used in daily lives, would decrease and take away from ancient Korean and Japanese cultural practices.

Therefore, where English is easily spoken on the streets in India and the Philippines, it may always be difficult for Korea and Japan to speak English to their own citizens without being chastised by traditionalists.

Four recommendations;

1) From elementary school, set aside one hour a day watching and listening to British-Canadian-Australian-American educational programs and cartoons.

2) Middle school, set aside one class to focus on writing, speaking and exposure to reading magazines, newspapers and radio programs.

3) High school, set aside one class just on English conversation.

4) University, offer courses that allow students to express themselves in English by debating on social, political, and economical issues. But most importantly, Hyejin Kim, please change your hairdo. Gee, don’t you feel stupid now?

Moreover, I also have doubts about the logic behind the plan. Why do all Koreans need to speak English? “It’s necessary in a globalised world” simply doesn’t cut it. Necessary in order to do what? In all the governmental zeal, has anyone thought about this?