Express yourself

Abstract

Recently, the Korean Ministry of Education announced that the National English Ability Test, or NEAT, will be replacing existing tests, such as TOEIC as well as the English language section of the nation’s college entrance exam. This state-administered proficiency test, which now includes speaking and writing sections, is scheduled to be implemented in 2012. Thus, it is expected that this test will create a new trend in English education, which will put a greater emphasis on the productive skills of speaking and writing. According to a survey from the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) in 2009, only 15% of English classes in secondary school in Korea were allotted for speaking and writing and the rest of the classes focused on reading comprehension in order for the students to prepare for the nation’s college entrance exam. Considering these circumstances, it seems unreasonable to expect that students will be able to achieve the ultimate goal of the 7th national curriculum which aims at communicative competence (KICE, 1997; Cho, 2004). In response to the rising demand for the development of the productive skills in Korean EFL classes, I will design a textbook for students who want to become confident and competent in speaking and writing.