Here is a good overview of the Korean Government’s funded English language immersion site: http://english-village.gg.go.kr/eng/...t/overview.jsp

A friend from my hometown area in WV was teaching in Inchon last year, and now is beginning up at Paju at the English Village. They have over 100 Foreign Teachers living there, and the English style businesses and restaurants are operated by East Europeans who must speak English.
It was built in 2005, and might be a place for you and I to check out!

See also his blog at: http://www.xanga.com/alpope23
Some good words and photos- he is still very new, the concept of immersion in English seems like it might work. Korea needs to catch up with the international language of trade. One thing my wife and I noticed when we returned to Korea after 30 year absence- Korea had grown in all areas except speaking English.

They will remain behind in tourism and in trade until they learn that English is the key to both. Subways have some signs in English, and have western toilets and free toilet paper now. A great leap forward. But all restaurants do not have good menus in English, and all hotels are not able to cater to foreigners. And sanitation is still not up to par. The Korean Government needs vast improvement in this area.

Recently the Minister of Education said that the Universities should not be surprised that none of them were included in the “Top 100 Universities of the World". He said they were wasting time recruiting good students, and should be concentrating on producing good students.
There is a new law starting this month, that the University foreign teachers must have a geniune four year degree. I don’t know if this will be required by hagwons.Maybe later.
I’m not enamored by the preponderance of hagwon teachers from various countries teaching shanty English, poorly pronounced, without regard for grammer and often mispelled. Confronting them on a blog, they got upset, and said that in most cases, all they are requred to do is teach conversational English, and the schools force them to fit their lesson plans into abbreviated hours. Personally, I belive a lot of them still have bogus degrees, or else they are leftovers from their native country who couldn’t get a good job there. Of course some are hired with 2 year degrees. A lot of Canadians were sent out of the country with forged degrees last year. I don’t know what is going on on the teaching scene now. Don’t misunderstand, I have friends among the hagwon teachers, and many are dedicated and professional. Bless them all for their hard work and low pay. Government jobs for four year degreed native speakers pay more now. This was a long time in coming. Attracting good teachers takes good money and decent living conditions.

The next town up from me (Kumi) has a lot of international business people there do to the electronic industry. Often while waiting for the train I have talked to them. Most of them say they don't like comming to Korea because of lack of English speaking Korean business people. Another thing they say they dislike about Korea is Koreans when they entertain business clients try to push their culture on you.

Very interesting; and very true. Korea is very proud of their culture and their food. I enjoy the culture and history, but I was raised with mashed potatoes and beef and vegetables, none slathered in garlic. If I were a businessman coming here, I would be uncomfortable with most of the local food. And I have experienced the cultural (ritual) downing of soju until your glass is entirely empty, and mandatory refilling if a tiny drop is left, etc. Generally a visiting businessman might enjoy a drink, but excess is not conducive to business.
Korea is a small country, and needs to learn that their language is of no use in the rest of the world, even if it is unique. Korea needs to get up to date in International Business Practices. Sanitation, language and knowledge of western social practices definitely needs improvement.

They want to turn Cheju Island into the Hong Kong of North Asia. The oldest hotel there was built by American Airlines, over 30 years ago. A good start.
They need to get outside help to build that island into what they envision. Oh yes, a nice convention center in Seoul with all signs translated properly into English by someone who is educated in English would be nice, too.