Teaching at an English village (part I)
In my other posts I have talked about teaching English in public schools and private institutes or ‘hagwons’. However, for anyone looking to teach in South Korea for the very first time, an English village is another option especially for those not interested in working in either a public school or a private language school.
What is an English Village
English villages are language education institutions which aim to create a language immersion environment for students. English villages in Korea provide a short term immersion experience in a live-in environment where only English is used. This is to promote English learning and to develop cultural awareness among students.
How does it work?
English villages employ a mixture of ‘native teachers’ and fluent English speaking Korean staff. The program is designed to help students improve and to overcome the particular challenges of speaking English in the Korean context.
The main objectives and visions of the English villages are : (i) global Koreans (ii) economical education alternatives and (iii) experiential learning. Their vision can be summarized by the slogan “Feel and experience English in Korea!”
Why the need for English villages?
Many families seek to improve their children English ability by sending them to several expensive after-school programs. Many high-income families send their kids to ‘study abroad’ or ‘home stay’ programs in English-speaking countries. Study abroad results in a substantial amount of capital leaving the country. The English villages are intended to reduce this loss, and make the immersion experience accessible to students from low-income families as well.
English Villages are places where people can use the English language in a variety of contexts as well as experience English- speaking cultures. This is a much cheaper alternative to traveling abroad for this type of experience. The English Village offers a similar environment that students, families and teachers might experience in a foreign country, without the need for traveling.
The idea is to provide “authentic” English speaking spaces within Korea where Koreans can use English in a variety of real-life contexts. The program emphasizes experience-based English learning without having to rely on costly resources outside Korea.
Programs offered
Different programs are offered in the English village. English villages have reasonable admission fees.
Residential programs are designed to target young learners, mainly accommodating elementary and junior high school students. However, some campuses offer short residential programs from 2-3 days to 3 weeks for professionals such as teachers and civil servants. Non-residential programs are open to the general public with no age limit with the purchase of a daily admissions ticket. Visitors can participate in the various programs offered with no additional fee.
Various courses provided
English Immersion Classes
Most English villages have themed immersion classes for both elementary and middle school students. The most common themes are the following: police station, restaurant, travel agency, airport, pharmacy, clinic/hospital, post office, bank, house, and department store.
These immersion classes encourage students to practice English while doing normal day to day activities. Teachers use different educational materials and activities to teach these classes.
Extracurricular Programs for Adults and Gifted Students
Some English Villages may offer English conversation classes for working adults. Intensive English classes may also be offered to elementary and middle school students who have high competence in using English. For these types of classes, a teacher have to teach them during the mornings, evenings, and/or weekends.
| Government employee training program |
This program helps students to strengthen their global administrative capacities by learning and practicing targeted English in order to be more efficient especially while processing international tasks. This program offers flexible courses that are designed to fit the needs of each government office. |
| Business training program | ||||
This course is designed to improve international business capacities. Students are taught the type of English that is used by people to do business. English for Business focuses on the English language skills necessary to communicate in an increasingly global business environment.
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