“English used to boring and difficult but now it is fun and easy since I am now learning it with my friends while playing puzzle games”

Gangdong-gu is supporting experience-based and discussion-centered creativity & personality development programs for foreign language education of youth to contribute in developing their global talents by motivating teenagers throughout Gangdong-gu to learn foreign languages.

Instead of conventional English education programs, enabling of a new foreign language education environment including classes that focus on substantive experiences and creativity has recently become important. Therefore, Gangdong-gu plans to gather feedback from schools in the district and organize various programs including a creative talent cultivation camp, foreign language experience camp, and a global foreign language festival for the Gangdong area.

First, Gangdong-gu will be supporting preschools and elementary schools in the district for participation in the creative talent cultivation camps in Pungnap-dong that are operated by Seoul Metropolitan Government throughout the year. The district finished selecting 20 preschools and 9 elementary schools after assessing the demand in this past February and March and as many as 3,000 students expressed eagerness to participate in the program. The program will help students to naturally learn English while playing fun games and taking part in various activities.

Furthermore, four middle schools in Gangdong-gu had been chosen to participate in a foreign language experience camp together with native speakers from July 17-20 from Monday to Thursday for four days at Gangdong Greenway Family Campground. The program that helps students to learn about teamwork and develop their personality is expected to have a significant learning effect on the students as they join in various activities including exploration with foreign mentors, cooking, and playing team games.

A global foreign language festival will also be held in November for students and the residents of Gangdong-gu of all ages. The festival will provide an opportunity to experience other countries culture and languages including English, Chinese, and Japanese by sharing each other’s experience and enjoy some valuable time together.

A Gangdong-gu official said, “It is important to provide a new English education environment through various substantive experiences of learning foreign languages and culture” and added, “We will continuously strive to help students in Gangdong-gu to actively express themselves and be confident in speaking English through creative foreign language programs”.

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