One afternoon in 2024, students are studying English in an English academy. A Korean English teacher in one room asks students questions about English grammar. Most of the students who understand the question explain the concepts. Moreover, they apply it in solving questions. On the other hand, in the same classroom next year, a foreign teacher conducts the class. The foreign teacher also shows students an article and lets them talk about their thoughts. However, unlike the previous class, only a small number of students communicate by using their limited English and the others don't even try speaking at all. We can easily see this kind of scene in Korean English academies. It is because the English academies focus more on grammar and reading instead of speaking. So how did this come about?

Until the Korean Empire, speaking was the main focus in learning English. However, during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial era, Japan started becoming concerned with Korean education and Japanese-style English education spread to Korea, focusing more on grammar. When the Japanese colonial era ended in 1945, the culture remained in Koreans' minds, and so did the English education system. Ultimately, Japanese-style English education did not vanish and was inherited in various styles and has become today's Korean-style English education.

The current formation of Korean-style English education is not just because of the Japanese influence. English exams in Korea consist of grammar and reading. In contrast, there are only a few speaking tests. English academies must cater to this kind of English education system, so they reduce speaking lessons. Also, increasing dependence on private education makes this problem worse.

In 2018, the Siwon School app listed the world's TOEFL test score that the Educational Testing Service (ETS) had revealed. According to the status, Singapore got 98th and ranked first place in Asia. Also, countries such as India, Malaysia and the Philippines were placed in high ranks, and South Korea was ranked 75th. Evaluating Korea's TOEFL test score in each area, English reading was in 22nd place, which was a high rank. Even in grammar, listening and writing, it did not have any difference. In speaking, the country attained 122nd place.

Of course, there are problems with speaking-oriented education. Our grammar and reading skills could be diminished due to focusing only on speaking. Also, most TOEFL and TOEIC tests consist of listening, grammar and reading. There is a shortage of foreign teachers, as Yonhap News Agency reported that the number of foreign teachers in Korea decreased by 41.8 percent from 2012 to 2016.

Then, how can we kill two birds with one stone? First, creating an environment to immerse daily in English is the best way. For example, listening to English news and watching English channels can alleviate the repulsion against English. Next, you should read English books frequently. By reading English books, you can develop listening, reading, grammar and writing skills simultaneously. Lastly, acting as a character in some TV shows can also help while performing. You can acquire practical English.

No one can refute that speaking is a characteristic of language. If you study only English grammar and reading, it cannot be said to be studying English. We should not study English superficially like a big fish in a small pond. To leap into the world, the country and I must gain a foothold to leave the pond.

Park Sun-yu is a ninth-grader at Godeok Middle School in Seoul.