Educational Development and Public Policy in Tension: The National Curriculum Reform and Foreign English Teacher Recruitment in South Korea
This talk examines how Korean curriculum reform and immigration governance jointly shape the role of foreign English teachers within the national education system. Specifically, it will:
Explore recent Ministry of Education curriculum revisions, with particular attention to stated goals of promoting diversity at the local, school, and student levels.
Review Ministry of Justice immigration policies relevant to the recruitment of foreign English teachers, considering how visa frameworks may align with or diverge from broader educational objectives.
By bringing these policy domains into dialogue, the talk invites attendees to reflect on how institutional structures affect who is seen as legitimate, included, and able to participate in Korea’s English education landscape. As the diversity-oriented English curriculum moves toward full national implementation in 2026–2027, more equitable teacher recruitment practices that prioritize linguistic legitimacy and pedagogical expertise are urgently needed.
Join the session via: https://seoultech.zoom.us/j/82201098677
No passcode required!
About the Presenter:
Teri Rose Dominica Roh (PhD) is an Assistant Professor at Inha University. Her research interests include topics on classroom discourse, language attitudes, and the professional identity of transnational NNESTs. ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1887-4956
