I've been asked to write a short article about the importance of 100% English classes. I realize this is a bit of a sensitive topic and many people have very different ideas about what it means for a class to be 100% English and what the purpose really is. I would like to address this article mainly to the Korean students in the audience. I've found that many Korean students know they have to take a certain number of credits in 100% English classes but, not being very confident in English, they shop around to find the classes listed as English classes that require the least amount of English in actuality. However, I think this could be a big mistake for the following reason.
Outside of Handong, when people hear the expression 100% English classes, they seem to interpret this to mean that all classes at Handong are conducted in English. Colleagues I've met from different universities say, "Oh, Handong, that's an English zone, right?" Many Korean students have told me that when they arrived on campus, they were expecting all their classes to be in English. And perhaps most importantly, I've heard from more than one graduate that when they went to job interviews, the interviewer said, "You're from Handong. Your English must be excellent. Let's do the interview in English." That expectation may be based on a false understanding of what Handong has promised, but that doesn't matter when they don't get the job they really wanted for failing to meet that false expectation. That's why I tell all of my students they should be prepared to do an interview in English before they graduate.
To this end, I make the following recommendations. The best way to prepare for the 100% English classes in your major is to take all of your required DLE English classes as soon as possible. The academic English program at Handong is entirely designed to prepare you for the 100% English major classes you need to take. The worst thing you can do is to put those classes off until your junior or senior year. Another good strategy is to register for the ISU/DLE English conversation classes next semester. They have great teachers with English teaching experience and they can be a lot of fun. Join English speaking Bible studies and F-GBS to practice in a comfortable small group setting. Finally, get to know some of the international students and faculty. After all, the best way to learn a language is to regularly practice with someone who speaks it and there are people on campus from dozens of foreign countries with interesting experiences and stories to tell. If people will expect you to speak English after graduation, why not try to meet that expectation. It might be the one of best things you do at Handong.

Scott C. Lincoln(Management & Economics)