essay1

Essay topic: Compare and contrast the way in which English is taught here at the Language Institute with the way it is taught in your home country.

In these days of International intercourse, most people endeavour to study English. Therefore, increasing numbers of Korean students come to New Zealand to learn English. Both New Zealand and Korea teach students English as the first or second language, but they have some similarities and differences in environment, teaching materials and teaching methods.

The main difference between the two countries can be found in the environment. Firstly, a teacher and students speak in Korean, in New Zealand, on the other hand, they have to speak in English. As well, while there are almost fifty students in a class in Korea, only fifteen students study in New Zealand. Another difference between New Zealand and Korea, is that students can’t stay with family in NZ. However, there is a similarity in that both countries have a space to listen to English tapes and watch English movies to learn English.

Secondly, another difference between New Zealand and Korea is the materials for teaching. First of all, in Korea, a text-book must be approved by the Government, but it doesn’t need this approval in New Zealand. As well, most media is made in English in New Zealand, for instance, TV, radio, magazines, Newspaper. The only obvious similarity is that there are many and various English books in the two countries.

In spite of these differences of environment and teaching materials, there are also many similarities of teaching methods. For example, both of the countries teach students to memorize words, grammar is emphasized, and students should do homework. However, there are also some differences between the two countries. Whereas, in Korea, the teacher is Korean, the teacher is a native speaker in New Zealand, and students in New Zealand can have full immersion in English, but Korean students learn various other subjects, so they can’t concentrate on learning English.

In conclusion, although both of the countries have some differences in environment and teaching materials in the way they teach English, they also have some similarities as regards teaching methods.