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North Korea defectors struggle with English language in South, study finds

By Elizabeth Shim
There are now nearly 30,000 North Korean defectors in South Korea, but those attending university are struggling with the English language, which is widely used in higher education. Photo by Yonhap News Service/UPI
There are now nearly 30,000 North Korean defectors in South Korea, but those attending university are struggling with the English language, which is widely used in higher education. Photo by Yonhap News Service/UPI

SEOUL, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- One out of three North Korean defectors who attend university in South Korea are considering a leave of absence, or dropping out, because of language barriers.

While Koreans on both sides of the divide speak the same language, English words are commonly used in the South Korean vernacular, and English is often a required second language in educational settings, which may not be the case in the North.

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The findings from government-run Korea Development Institute indicate nearly a third of defectors enrolled in universities would like to suspend their studies because they struggle with English, South Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported on Friday.

Not all defectors, however, are considering permanently dropping out of school.

About 30 percent of those surveyed said they would like to take time off to study English.

But others may be struggling economically in South Korea: About 29 percent said they would like to leave school in order to "keep up with the cost of living," while about 12 percent said they "cannot keep up with the course content."

The English language proficiency test scores of defectors are also significantly lower than that of the average national score, according to KDI.

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Kim Bu-yeol, a professor at KDI's School of Public Policy and Management, said defector-students' English skills are minimal, and that a basic English-language program should be implemented at schools.

A mentorship system, involving South Korean students working together with defectors, would be an important consideration, Kim said.

There are now nearly 30,000 North Korean defectors in South Korea.

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