Why is IBDP Korean A regressing?
During this summer vacation, I gave two lectures once with Korean parents in Singapore and once with Korean parents in China. And the common questions from there are as follows.
"Why doesn't Korean A teacher at our school teach what you mentioned?"
The reason is simple. Because most teachers don't know. They don't know that they have to teach it, or they don't know how to teach it. For this reason, many students and parents are very dissatisfied with Korean A teacher in their school. Parents thought that teachers were not providing educational services as much as they paid.
Many students and parents think IBDP Korean A teachers are expert in literature. It is only half right. They are experts in 'Korean literature', not 'IB literature'. The way they approach literature is completely different. Korean literature is a subject that memorizes the source, timing of publication, and rhyme of a work. In other words, it is a subject centered on 'Memorization'. On the other hand, IB literature is a subject that analyzes what linguistic/literary device an author uses to convey his/her message. In other words, it is a subject focusing on 'Analysis'. And most of the IB Korean A teachers are Korean literature teachers.
Education is done properly in the following cases. Teachers can teach students.
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However, the current situation of IBDP Korean A is as follows.
In literature, students have more 'Open mind' than teachers. And even in non-literature, students have much more experience than teachers. In other words, teachers are now obstacles to students at IBDP Korean A. So, many students are looking for private tutors or academies to learn the knowledge they need.
In 2021, about 1,000 students applied for the Korean A Final Exam. In 2022, there were 900. In 2024, there are only 750. Students continue to turn away from Korean A. And their choice is reasonable.
Is IB a future-oriented course? Yes. Is IBDP Korean A a future-oriented course, too? No. Although students and parents want an education in 2024, IBDP Korean A remains in the 1980s. IBDP Korean A needs teachers who can creatively teach literary works and non-literary texts.