Stephanie Ptak (Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea)
Abstract
The effects of the declining population in Korea are becoming more apparent every day. School closures at all levels are not few and far between, and universities are searching for solutions. South Korean universities have been looking overseas to attract students for years, and the number of international students has been steeply increasing. Many of these students, with a wide range of backgrounds, end up in required English courses. As this student population grows, it is important to reflect on how to better serve these young adults. In this small-scale research, I delve into international students’ experiences in required English courses at the university level. Through a survey and interviews, I attempt to unveil how these students perceive required English courses and learn more about their interactions with instructors and fellow students.
Research Paper (In person; 25 minutes)
Culture & Cross-/Intercultural Perspectives
Primarily of Interest to Teachers of University Students
About the Presenter
Stephanie Ptak is currently an ESL professor in South Korea. She has taught in Spain and South Korea from elementary school to the university level. She holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics and Spanish from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Masters of Education from George Mason University. She is currently interested in goal-setting and mindfulness in the ESL classroom.
