Most students who were born and grew up in South Korea would likely have studied English with many tutors or at many different academies since they were young. However, there are still so many students who are having difficulties even at basic greetings when they meet foreigners. Korean students write English sentences with perfect grammar and memorize high level vocabulary words that many native speakers have difficulty with. But those grammar points and vocabulary words only linger in their mind, it seems to be too much for them to use those to have an actual conversation in English. Since there are few chances for the students to meet up with foreigners, the problem of Korean students is sad but it’s a very obvious reality. Chung-Ang University offers a couple ways for those students to actually spend some time with foreigners and develop their English speaking skills.
Come and Join Us at the Global Lounge!
a. What is the ‘Global Lounge’?
The Chung-Ang University has a ‘Global Lounge’ where you can freely communicate and be friends with foreign students who speak English as their native language. Students from GLAM, Chung-Ang University’s international student ambassadors, work there. They ask visitors for their English speaking ability and put them in a proper group. Also, they help even the first-time students make friends easily.
At the Global Lounge, you can practice both English and French. There is an E Lounge for students who want to learn English and there is a F Lounge for those who want to learn French. E Lounge opens every Mon. to Fri. 10:00AM to 6:00PM. F Lounge is only opened Mon. and Tues. 10:00AM to 12:00PM and Fri. 10:00AM to 12:00PM and 4:00PM to 6:00PM. (There is no F Lounge on Wed. and Thurs.) The Global Lounge is not open the week before and the week of midterm and final exams.
b. Where Can I Find the Global Lounge?
Global Lounge is located in a very great location for students to visit. Students of Chung-Ang University will all know where the Central Library and the café called ‘Strada’ are. The Global Lounge is located just around the corner of café Strada from the Central Library. In other words, it is on the first floor outside the building of Central Library.
English Clinic of Da Vinci College of General Education
a. English Clinic
English Clinic is another program that helps all Chung-Ang University students improve their English skills. The program is open to all students of Seoul and Anseong campus. The system provides personal tutoring service with a native English professor at Da Vinci College of Education. The English Clinic aims to develop students’ English speaking skills as well as their writing skills. Through the program, students can get help in whatever they find they need most, including simple conversation, presentation tips, pronunciation corrections, and essay writing in English.
b. How Can I Take Part in the Program?
To use English Clinic, you must make a reservation online at least one day in advance. Online reservations are available at http://ge.cau.ac.kr. When you open the website, click on ‘English Clinic’ to get a screen that will allow you to make reservations. If you want to cancel your reservation, you should contact the administration office of the Da Vinci College of Education. However, when you cancel your reservation on the day of your tutoring more than twice, or if you do not show up to your reservation you will not be able to use the English Clinic again for the rest of the semester.
Knowing a lot of English vocabulary and grammar knowledge does not mean that it will help a student speak freely in English. What we need to know here is that we should not be ashamed of being unable to speak, but of not trying to do so. For us living in the global world, free English conversation is essential to achieve our future dream and gain experience in the wider world. Chung-Ang University provides a variety of programs to allow us to be exposed to English more frequently. Why don’t you go to a café with a foreign friend tomorrow instead alone?
