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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Sahmyook University Launches First Global English Camp for Russian Teenagers

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Sahmyook University hosted its first "Global English Camp" for 18 Russian teenagers from July 3 to 18.
  • The immersive program focused on improving English communication skills through customized lessons, native speaker classes, and K-culture experiences.
  • The university plans to expand the program next year, integrating Korean language and K-content courses to attract more international students.

Sahmyook University has launched its inaugural "Global English Camp," an intensive, immersive program designed for Russian teenagers. Held on campus from July 3 to 18, the 16-day camp welcomed 18 middle and high school students from Russia.

This initiative represents a significant adaptation of the university's existing English camp model, which traditionally served domestic students. The revised curriculum is tailored for non-native English speakers, aiming to maximize their English communication abilities in a short period. Participants received individualized instruction based on their proficiency levels, ranging from phonics fundamentals to advanced debate sessions. The program emphasized conversational English through classes led by native speakers and included speech training to enhance presentation skills.

Beyond academics, the camp incorporated a rich array of cultural activities. Students engaged in hands-on K-culture experiences, such as Korean cooking classes and tours of major tourist attractions. Living in dormitories fostered self-management and teamwork, while the cultural immersion aimed to cultivate global citizenship. These elements proved highly popular among the participants.

The camp's design reflects evolving global trends in language education. With rising costs in traditional English-speaking destinations, South Korea is emerging as an attractive alternative for Russian and Central Asian youth. Factors like excellent public safety and the global popularity of K-culture are drawing students to experience language and culture immersion in Korea. Sahmyook University's extensive experience in international education, including over 20 years of operating a "Nowon Children's Native English Camp" and hosting an annual "International Summer School," provides a strong foundation for this new program.

Building on the success of this first camp, Sahmyook University plans to enhance the program in the coming years. Future iterations will likely combine English education with Korean language and K-content courses, offering a more comprehensive experience. University officials expressed optimism that such programs will not only boost global educational competitiveness but also serve as a crucial stepping stone for attracting more international students to their degree programs.

Based on the high educational demand and results confirmed through this first camp for non-English speaking students, we plan to gradually expand the number of invited students and target countries.

โ€” Jeong Hyun-cheol, Head of Sahmyook University's Lifelong Education CenterDiscussing future plans for the Global English Camp
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.