Language is a social phenomenon. We acquire languages by interacting
with people and the world where the language is used. People do
not acquire a language efficiently by sitting in classrooms and
listening to teachers' talk. We have all tried this, and we all
know that it simply does not work. At LinguaExpress we seek to bridge
the gap between the requirements of a world where people need to
be multilingual and methods of instruction that effectively cater
to such goals.
LinguaExpress programs are different from other traditional ones
in two major aspects. First, the aim is different. The basic underlying
idea of LinguaExpress is that for language learning to be effective
it should echo the real world as much as possible. By creating a
microcosm of the world in our brand new facilities and by engaging
students in the real-world type of activities both in and out of
the classroom, fluency and real language use should develop at a
pace exceeding learning in more traditional settings. Most Korean
English learners have had more than ample opportunities to study,
but what they have not been able to do is doing - using the
language in real life situations. What we at LinguaExpress aim to
do is to get students to learn by doing and puts students in a context
where they have to produce English naturally and for real world
purposes. This aim distinguishes LinguaExpress programs from other
traditional Language Coursess.
Second, approaches are different. At LinguaExpress we foster a hands-on
approach to language learning, which means that students have to
use English for real practice derived from exposure to real life
settings. Instead of teaching about English, therefore, LinguaExpress
programs are designed to unleash the potential in each student through
the use of real world contexts - not driven by the instructor but
led by the students themselves. Students are involved in projects
of their choice, in which they work on specific tasks within a theme.
In this respect, the courses offered at LinguaExpress are content-based
as well as theme-based. In very natural settings, students work
on different tasks using all four language skills - listening, speaking,
reading, and writing.
Courses
LinguaExpress offers two types of courses: theme-based courses and
language courses. The theme-based courses include LETS
(LinguaExpress Theme-based Study), Let's
Speak, Let's Write, and SEP
(Staff English Program), each of which is available for 6 hours
a week. Students can register for these courses for a full 3 month
cycle (2 five-week courses) or for half a cycle (1 five-week course).
Language courses include Advanced Listening
(e.g. CNN news), Listen & Listen
(beginners' to intermediate), and courses for test preparation,
such as TOEIC and TOEFL.
Students register for these courses on a monthly basis.
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