‘Other English(es)’ teachers

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA–The days of “The Queen’s English” are long since past. English is now a global language, shared not by only the British, N. Americans and Australians, but S. Africans, Singaporeans, Filipinos, Indians, Jamaicans, and many others. In this situation, we can full story

Universities urged to improve English language skills for students

HANOI, VIETNAM–Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education and Training Banh Tien Long has asked universities to help students improve their English so that they can use it confidently and competently by 2015. Mr Long made the statement at a seminar held in Hanoi on full story

Invigorating basic education

MANILLA, PHILIPPINES–Teaching basic education through the language spoken by the child at home is both a policy and a widespread practice among the more developed countries across Asia, such as in Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Japan.  full story

Teachers will mind language

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA–The Territory Government is facing a revolt from remote teachers who vow to continue teaching in Aboriginal languages, despite an order to teach in English. Award-winning teacher Yalmay Yunupingu said yesterday she would refuse Departmental orders not to teach in her own language of Yolngu Matha. The Territory Government says from full story complete coverage

New markets draw students back to classes

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND–Overseas student numbers may be up in the past three months, but this is because the export education industry has found new markets – and not because students from traditional markets are flocking back. New Zealand’s “pure” image has also been credited for an influx of international students coming here to study natural therapy. full story

International Students Being Wooed Back to NZ

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND–New Zealand’s international student industry has been battered by fierce global competition, losing more than a third of its foreign student population over the past three years. But smart marketing strategies and the lower New Zealand dollar are luring overseas students back. Compared to offshore competititors, New Zealand is a world full story

Future of English Language Teaching

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA–What is the future of English language teaching? The answers appear to be more students taking more exams and using more technology in the classroom. However, the question is whether this is really a surprise to anyone working in an ESL or EFL environment like Korea full story

Most Native English Teachers in Seoul are Unqualified

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA–It has been reported that some of the native English instructors working in Seoul’s schools are uncertified or have not taken TESOL, a special course for teachers of English to foreigners. According to a report on an audit submitted to Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education on Monday by Nam Jae-kyong of Seoul Metropolitan Council, just 166, or 20.5 percent full story

21% of Foreign Teachers Hold Teaching Licenses

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA–About 21 percent of native English-speaking teachers at primary and secondary schools in Seoul hold teaching licenses. According to data provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to Nam Jae-kyong, a Seoul Metropolitan Council member, 166, or 20.5 percent of 810 foreign English teachers at schools in Seoul, have teaching licenses. full story

Department’s reports undermine Minister

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA–Two reports by the Northern Territory Education Department have directly undermined an attack on bilingual schools by Minister Marion Scrymgour, who claims they are poor at teaching English. full story  complete coverage