The KOTESOL Research SIG recently held a highly engaging and thought-provoking event featuring Teri Roh, and it was a huge success.
Dr. Roh’s talk examined how Korean curriculum reform and immigration governance jointly shape the role of foreign English teachers within the national education system. She explored recent Ministry of Education curriculum revisions, with particular attention to their stated goals of promoting diversity at the local, school, and student levels. She also reviewed Ministry of Justice immigration policies relevant to the recruitment of foreign English teachers, highlighting how visa frameworks may align with—or diverge from—broader educational objectives.
By bringing these policy domains into dialogue, the session invited attendees to reflect critically on how institutional structures influence who is seen as legitimate, included, and able to participate in Korea’s English education landscape. As the diversity-oriented English curriculum moves toward full national implementation in 2026–2027, the talk emphasized the urgent need for more equitable teacher recruitment practices that prioritize linguistic legitimacy and pedagogical expertise.
The session sparked rich discussion and meaningful exchange among participants. We sincerely thank Dr. Roh for sharing her expertise and insights, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to making this event such a success.
