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On June 24, 2013, an international forum was held ahead of the implementation of the "Free Semester System," one of the Park Geun-hye administration's key education policies. Held under the theme "Exploring Measures to Promote the Free Semester System for Career Exploration," the forum consisted of presentations and discussions introducing educational systems around the world that could serve as models for the Free Semester System. There were presentations on Ireland's Transition Year, the UK's gap year, and Denmark's 10th-grade program. Korean Gap Year also met with the invited scholars from each country.
Intervieweeinterviewee
AProfessor Andrew Jones, University of London, Gap Year presentation(hereafter A)
NDr. Noemi Katznelson, researcher at a Danish youth school, Bridge Year presentation(hereafter N)
GProfessor Gerry Jeffers, National University of Ireland, Transition Year presentation(hereafter G)
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Q.What do you think about Korea's education system?
A.I'm not very familiar with Korea's education system, but teaching students by rote and keeping them at school until late is definitely not a good approach. It's not the best method for the students themselves, and in a society that needs human resources it is even more likely to fail. I don't understand why education is conducted that way. I recall reading in papers and reports that such extreme educational methods are also linked to suicide rates.
교육이라는 것이 체계화 되어 있기는 하지만 한 개인을 이해하고 지식을 전달 하는 과정이기 때문에 완벽할 수 없는 것이 사실입니다. 그렇기 때문에 오늘 토론한 self-directed educational approach, like a gap year, where individuals educate themselves,is something I think Korean students need.
N.Because it is impossible, I never even thought about it. However, if you look at well-known educational research, it is obvious that study time and efficiency are not proportional. Isn’t it only natural that students under stress cannot study?
G.As Andrew said, I was very shocked by the stress students experience and the suicide rate. We need to consider whether the current Korean school system helps students achieve self-realization. If school life has no balance at all, it can cause harmful effects for both society and students. The most important thing is that society as a whole should be structured to allow children, students, and young people to dream.
From the left: Park Jin-su, Director of Korea Gapyear; Park Si-yong, Program Director; Andrew Jones; Noemi Katznelson; Gerry Jeffers ⓒKorea Gapyear
Q.In Korea, there are many negative opinions about taking a gap year or taking time off for a period.
A.In the UK, the gap year is a very well-known cultural practice. Of course, some people say a gap year is a waste of time. But such opinions are not very common, andthere are many cases where people have benefited positively from traveling during a gap year or, especially, from work experience.It's just difficult to produce results at the very beginning, but once results come out well, others naturally follow. In Korea's case, it seems to be a transitional period for introducing the system and culture and spreading positive outcomes.
G.In Ireland, there was strong opposition to the Transition Year. There was a severe backlash from those who said students who should be studying would be doing work experience. I was on the team implementing the Transition Year, and after the Irish Minister for Education's announcement there were many objections and protests. Once I appeared on a local radio program to explain the Transition Year, and immediately after the broadcast parents...there were many complaints from parents, so I said I would do the next broadcast together with parents. Through these kinds of trial and error, Ireland's current Transition Year was established.
Video on Irish education innovation — EBS Knowledge E Channel Education Series No. 15
Q.Do the stories gained from a gap year and Transition Year actually help with getting a job?
A.What matters most in the UK job market is'the ability to handle situations'Yes. While an applicant's abilities are important, the crucial factor is how well they respond to a given situation, regardless of whether those abilities are directly applicable. Having a gap year serves as proof that one has had diverse experiences, and this certainly helps with employment.
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Although the interview was conducted in a short time due to a busy schedule, it provided an opportunity to rethink Korea's education from the perspective of scholars from around the world and to reflect once more on 'education.' I hope the Free Semester System, implemented as an education policy, will soon and positively take root so that students can pursue their dreams.
Kyunghyang Shinmun: 'Free Semester System — Teachers' Trust in the Policy is Key to Success'View related article
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HAMTORIEditor.
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