Please compare and contrast private English language institutes (hakwon) and GEO.
Class 4-2
Nowadays,
a lot of Korean students go to private English institutes, called hakwon, and I also studied in a hakwon, too. In Catholic university,
there is a Global English Outreach program where we can learn English which is
similar with hakwon and I am
attending GEO program now. There is a similarity between hakwon and GEO class. Both of them
classify students in different levels. So students can be taught in the right
class with the appropriate level. I think this system helps students to improve
their English skills more efficiently.
On
the other hand, there are some differences between them. The first difference
is that hakwon and GEO have different
approaches in teaching English. Most private institutes have a cramming method
of teaching English. They teach important things that are in the test or text
book, such as grammar or expressions. However, GEO classes are based on conversation
and we do a lot of activities with our classmates in English. Professors from
various countries passionately instruct the students and encourage them to participate
in the class. Each class has only about 10 students so each student has more
chance to speak.
The
second difference is that there is much more time to use English in GEO than
private institutions. We have class for 4 hours every week and besides the
regular GEO classes, we attend “GEO club” once a week, which we can do club
activities in English. There are some other English programs in GEO such as OBF
visit, English clinic, small talk session, social evening and so on. Through
these programs, students can meet and communicate with many foreign friends. By
doing so, students can learn various cultures and also improve their English speaking
skills. I think these programs are the most special features of GEO which are
different from private institutes.
There
are more differences than similarities between private institutes and GEO. In
my opinion, many students will improve their English speaking skills more in
GEO. I am now very satisfied with this program.
By- Oh Hye-min
