▲ [Photo by Kim Ji-sun]Students are paying attention to a student performing pansori, a Korean opera, during the class "Introduction to Korean Literature."

   People from about 140 countries are using English as their official or second language. Also, English is used as an official language in many international conferences. Because English is so indispensable, Ewha has been expanding its course offerings in English. According to the director of Faculty & Academic Affairs, there is a total of 120 classes taught in English this semester, and the number will increase if the effect of the English classes is good.
   Some students who are not fluent in English are unhappy about increasing number of classes in English. Kim Ju-young (English Lang. & Lit., 2) said, "I really wanted to take various classes taught in English, however, I was worried about falling behind among many native speakers." Yet, for students like Kim Ju-young, Lee Ye-rim (Business, 4) says trust yourself and gain confidence. Lee took two English classes titled, "General Introduction to Korea" and "Marketing Management." Although Lee has never studied overseas and was not very good in English at first, she got As in both classes.
   "Many students try not to take English courses because they are anxious about competing with many native speakers. However, I think attending English classes have a lot of merits," Lee said. "I made the utmost use of native speaking students by joining discussion groups and doing team projects with them. About five months of listening, talking, and discussing in English improved my English skills," Lee added. Lee stressed that compared to the Korean classes, English classes generally require more active participation. For shy students, it is an opportunity to learn to be outgoing.
   Professor Choi Ju-lie (English Lang. & Lit.) who teaches "Modern and "Psychology of Adolescence" both say that students who are not fluent in English can get good grades if they make a strong effort to prepare for class and review every day's lessons. "It is not English skills that I examine, but it is the concepts and ideas, and the originality of the students' work," says Yoo.
   Choi tries to make students understand the ideas during the class by repeating the same idea, and, sometimes, she explains complicated expressions in Korean. "When I explain them in Korean, students say that they feel like being in an oasis in the middle of a desert because they can understand the concept completely," Choi said. "Despite all the other advantages, the most essential thing that students should remember is to enjoy the course. Without enjoying, there will be no true learning," Choi adds.
   Yoo added, "As for giving marks, I think that the allowed percentage of As is bigger than Korean classes. Therefore, with a little bit more effort, taking classes in English can be a chance for students to get better grades."

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