This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Jeju Global Education City and dozens of graduates from the three international schools here have since been accepted to some of the world’s top universities.

As an attempt to benchmark on their success, the Provincial Office of Education is sending teachers to the Jeju Global Education Center to seek ways to apply it to local schools. Mike Balfour reports.
[slug] Korea International School Jeju (KIS)

This is a Korean class of fourth graders in the Korean International School.
The teacher professionally leads the class, frequently posing questions to the young students.

INTERVIEW
Kim U-gyeong / KIS Assignee
They decided to move the recyclable trash station to between building 702 and 705. What is your opinion on the decision? (It’s unfair because it is closer to the 705.)
[현장 이팩트 김우경 / KIS 파견교사 ]
"쓰레기 분리수거장의 위치를 702동과 705동 중간으로 옮긴 일에 대해서
현주는 어떻게 생각했어요? (705동 쪽에 가까워서 불공평하다.)"

[slug] Public school teachers sent to KIS in July, 2015

The teacher was sent to KIS from (남광) Namgwang Elementary School last summer.
Korean students in KIS are required to take Korean and social studies classes to have their diplomas recognized by Korean authorities. They learn the two subjects in Korean.


[camera] Kim Yong-min

Last year, the provincial office of education sent two public teachers to learn the international schools’ advanced curriculum so to apply it to local schools.

KIS is satisfied with the teachers’ performance. It says the cooperation with the educational office has increased the quality of education at the international school.

INTERVIEW
Jim French / KIS Elementary School Principal
I’m satisfied with the Korean teachers’ work. They are taking good care of the students.
[인터뷰 지미 프렌치 / 한국국제학교(KIS) 초등학교장 ]
"(파견) 교사들을 보면 항상 학생 관리 업무 등에 특별히 애쓰려는 의지를 갖고 있어서 교장으로서 함께 일하기 좋습니다."

[slug] “Teachers can focus more on teaching at KIS”

The teachers say that the education and teaching methods at KIS are not much different from Korea’s.

However, they say teachers at the international school can focus more on teaching and students as there is less administrative work than in Korean public schools.

INTERVIEW
Lee Ji-seon / Teacher
I saw some differences in teaching and curriculum between the KIS and Korean schools. I think it is really good opportunity to learn and compare things.
[인터뷰 이지선 / KIS 파견교사]
"이분들이 학생지도,생활지도, 교육과정 운영에서 많이 배울수 있었어요.저희와 다른 것도 있고 교사로서 굉장히 의미있는 기회가 되고 있어요.

The provincial office of education is planning to expand the teacher exchange program to include the Branksome Hall Asia and NLCS Jeju.

INTERVIEW
Go Su-hyeong / Representative of Provincial Office of Education
Principals of the Branksome Hall Asia and NLCS Jeju agreed to exchange teachers with us without hesitation. We’re expanding the program.
[인터뷰 고수형 / 제주도교육청 국제교육과장]
"BHA 교장 선생니과 NLCS 교장 선생님께서도 (교사 파견에) 흥쾌히 좋은 프로젝트다라고 동의하셔서 그 학교들로 확대하려고 하고 있고요. "

[reporter] Mike Balfour

This year is the fifth anniversary of the launching of the Jeju Global Education City.
The island’s educational office is trying to learn lessons from the international schools to improve public education.

Mike Balfour KCTV