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Volume 5 Number 2, Summer 2008, Pages 1-170   


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Current Trends and Issues in English Language Education in Asia

    Yeon Hee Choi and Hyo Woong Lee


This study has surveyed current trends and issues in English language education in Asia, that is, 16 nations including Hong Kong and Taiwan (total 18 regions). The results of the survey reveal commonalities and diversity across Asian regions in the following aspects: the starting grade, class hours, national curriculum, textbooks, the medium of instruction, the use of computer, university entrance examination, teachers, tertiary English education, and problems and concerns. English language education in each Asian nation/region seems an outcome of diverse factors including political environment, social and individual needs, and resources (e.g., teachers and computer). The findings from the survey raise five key issues to be resolved: the amount of time allotted for English language education; the use of English as the medium of instruction; centralization or decentralization; teachers; and the nation-wide university entrance examination.


* Yeon Hee Choi is the correspondent author; Hyo Woong Lee is the coauthor.

Keywords: starting grade of English language education, curriculum, class hours, textbooks, medium of instruction, use of computer, university entrance English exams, English teachers, tertiary English education