USFK soldiers will teach English at 13 schools in Pyeongtaek

Gyeonggi Province and United States Forces Korea (USFK) will join hands for the English education of students in Gyeonggi Province.

In advance of the relocation of U.S. forces to Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, the province announced on May 16 that it will be launching the “United States Forces Korea Good Neighbor English Education” project, to promote friendship between the two nations.

The new project was agreed to in September 2006, when Governor Kim visited the Korea-U.S. combined command office in Yongsan Garrison. Kim suggested an education program to Commander Burwell Bell, asking for the support of USFK soldiers as native English teachers.
From May 19, volunteer teachers from USFK will join the English classes of schools, mainly in Pyeongtaek.

The English program will be offered to 13 schools in Pyeongtaek, including Songsin Elementary School. The program will include both weekend classes and weekday classes.

The weekend class will offer two-hour lessons at 1 PM on the first and third Saturdays of each month. For weekday classes, USKF volunteer teachers will participate in regular school English classes once or twice per week as assistant teachers.

In addition to English conversation class, the program will also provide students with physical exercise, a cultural experience course, and chance to visit USFK bases.

To encourage soldiers to actively participate in this volunteer project, Gyeonggi Province will be providing transportation fare to volunteers who visit schools. Gyeonggi Province will also be providing financial support for any teaching material developed in collaboration.

Gyeonggi Province expects that the project will lower the financial burden to parents of private English education, while helping soldiers to experience Korean culture, thus enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between Korea and the U.S.

Choi Yeong-kyung, Education Support Department of Gyeonggi Province said, “Pyeongtaek students have relatively fewer chances to have English lessons from native instructors, compared to students in big cities. I hope that this project will enhance the English ability and confidence of students in Pyeongtaek.”

On May 19, the first Good Neighbor English Class day, Governor Kim himself will visit the school and have tea with USFK soldiers participating in the volunteer program.