Partnership Provides Korean Teachers English Training

Several Korean educators participated in an intensive six-week training at our college this fall. The group attended classes led by TESOL and ESL instructors that helped them improve their English teaching skills, fluency and cultural understanding. This marks the seventh group that has successfully completed the program.

“I learned several techniques and activities that I can use to make my class more fun and exciting,” said Jeff Lim, high school teacher. “American teachers are more active and engaged. From this program, I have learned to have this kind of attitude toward my classroom.”

Since September of 2013, the college has partnered with the International Teaching Training Institute, the designated institution for the Ministry of Education in Korea, to equip and prepare Korean teachers on everything from idioms to standardized testing. The goal of the Korean Ministry of Education is to further the standards of English education in Korea by exposing the educators to American methods and strategies.

“I experienced a variety of activities that we can use in the classroom,” said Crystal Ahn, middle school teacher. “The atmosphere in a Korean classroom is very different when compared to the American classroom. In Korea, the atmosphere is academic. Teachers always focus on testing, but American classrooms are more student-centered and very open.”

At the end of the training, the class was presented with individual certificates to mark their achievement. The ceremony was followed by a special luncheon and celebration at the KSU Center. Before returning to Korea, the educators completed a practicum-centered field study at several Cobb and Gwinnett County schools.

Languages Program Manager Lyn Cohen leads the global initiative.

“This is a great opportunity to plug in to the international community,” Lyn said. “The program has hosted more than 150 Korean educators. This partnership has allowed them to impact hundreds of students back home. We’re looking forward to hosting more exchange groups in the future.”