English classes taught by USFK service members to be held in Pyongtaek and Dongducheon.

On March 18, Gyeonggi Province announced that, starting next month, it would be opening free English classes taught by USFK service members. The classes will be available at 28 elementary and middle schools, including 16 schools in Pyongtaek City and 12 schools in Dongducheon City.

This free service, which will be in full swing by April and May, includes two types of classes: a weekday class (2 hours / once a week) and weekend classes (the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month).

In addition to regular English instruction, various cultural experience programs will be offered including after-school English conversation, English games and visits to US military bases.

Since last year, Gyeonggi Province has sought to provide free USFK English classes to residents. The province has been working to establish sisterhood relations between US military bases and Korean schools and to support volunteers through negotiations with Pyongtaek City, Donducheon City, local offices of education, and US military bases.

A spokesperson for the Gyeonggi Provincial Government commented that this project would help to enhance the English abilities of students while promoting bilateral understanding and friendship between Korea and the US.

Gyeonggi Province offered an English education service last year to 3,186 students in 26 different schools, with 279 volunteer teachers from the military, including 197 USFK service members and 82 KATUSA members.