Yawning 'English divide' drives South Korean kids abroad to study

Seoul - The so-called "English divide" is driving South Korean children abroad to study the language, ………………….The major destinations for young South Korean students are the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the airlines reported. ………………."Because it is not so costly as you might imagine. I'd like my son exposed to English-speaking culture," he said. The education ministry reported the number of primary-schoolers who traveled to overseas countries to study jumped 29.8 per cent to 8,148 during the one-year period ending in March 2006. The so-called 'English divide" refers to a new social trend that segregates those who achieved a high level of English fluency against those who do not. Local professionals say a good command of English can make all the difference in income levels and career opportunities. They note that fluency can put one's career on the fast track, while a poor command may hold back career advancement. ……………"A good command of English is a must condition if you are to take high-profile cases like the financial scandal involving the US-based Lonestar," said a lawyer in Seoul who withheld his name.[View Full Article]