Can you imagine that teachers and students speak only in English in all classes in Korean public school? I object to the plan ‘English-only classes in public schools’ because not all Koreans need to speak English fluently, the plan will bring about the jump of private education expenses, and besides it will weaken our national consciousness and pride as Koreans.
How many jobs are there which require the ability of speaking English here in Korea? For example, does a bus driver need to speak English when he's working in a bus? How about an engineer? It's enough to read English books or have a simple conversation ability. I think it's more effective to teach some students concentratedly who really need to speak English very fluently than to teach all students. The president and new government should take cognizance of the concept about selection and concentration.
What would happen if 'English-only classes in public schools' comes true? The answer is obvious. Students would have to hear and speak English well in order to understand what a teacher teaches in English, and parents would spend more money on their children's private education. This is not a hypothesis but a reality in Malaysia in which the plan has been working since 2002 and parents suffer from high expanses on private education.
Korean is the one of the most advanced languages in the world which many linguists demonstrate the superiority. In other words, we must be aware of the rights and obligations to take pride in our language, Korean. In addition, a language is an important factor that reflects our thoughts and culture and if the plan comes into reality, young and naive students would probably lose their national consciousness. The government should know that a language is the one of the strongest defense systems that keeps us from losing our identity.
I'm not saying English is not important in Korea. However, What I'm saying is that the plan of 'English only classes in public schools' lacks planning and consideration. My opinion is that we should select and concentrate on people who really have to speak English, the plan would not solve the high education expenses problem but make it worse, and Korean is such an important weapon and shield in the culture war that we have to protect it. The government should think deeply and reconsider this ironic and stupid plan.
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