South Korean Implementation of Communicative Language Teaching

Abstract

This literature review identifies strategies for improving South Korea’s National Curriculum policy. Communicative language teaching (CLT) is the mandated approach for South Korea’s English education. Currently, CLT in South Korea has seen minimal adoption despite continued CLT-based government policies. This paper will first identify South Korea’s guiding English education principles to understand why CLT has not seen widespread adoption. Next, we examine the historical roots and origins of the policy. Afterward, a comparison between South Korea and other CLT English programs in Asia will address the similarities and differences between CLT practices in the region. South Korea’s pursuit of CLT is then juxtaposed to the vocal disapproval the policy faces. The paper then turns to an examination of strategies to address the main concerns voiced against CLT. These strategies will culminate in a demo lesson unit based on the CLT guidelines. This demo lesson serves as a model for how South Korean teachers might successfully incorporate CLT.