Soldiers from the United States Forces Korea will serve as English instructors, helping Korean students to build their confidence.

Gyeonggi Province plans to jointly operate English classes with volunteer instructors from United States Forces Korea at 15 schools in the Pyeongtaek area and 10 schools in the Dongducheon area.

A pilot English language program was operated in the Pyeongtaek area in 2007 as part of a broader initiative to improve Korea-US relations. Responding to the huge success of the pilot program among students, the province decided to expand the program to cover the Dongducheon area. Volunteer instructors from US Forces will begin teaching under the program from May 3, 2008.

The number of volunteer instructors in Pyeongtaek has grown from approximately 60 to more than 130. In Dongducheon, more than 80 US soldiers have applied for the program, making the outlook for this year’s English classes a bright one.

To facilitate the successful operation of the English classes, officials from municipal and provincial offices of education, school teachers, and the volunteer instructors who will serve at the schools in Pyeongtaek met at K-55 on April 29, while a meeting was held for teachers and officials in the Dongdocheon area at the 2nd Infantry Division on April 30, 2008.

It is expected that “English Classes with US Soldiers” will not only improve the English conversation skills of students but also promote exchanges between Korea-US students, trips to US bases, athletic activities, and diverse cultural exchange activities. The program is expected to help students improve their confidence and their understanding of both nations.