TaLK volunteer teachers from English - speaking countries help rural kids learn language YEONGI , South Chungcheong Province ― Benjamin Stevens , 24 , first came to Korea with his mother for a seminar nine years ago . Fascinated by Korea , he wanted to come back , and realized his dream thanks to the TaLK ( Teach and Learn in Korea ) program . Under the government program , he recently visited Korea to teach English , his native language , at a rural elementary school . It was also an opportunity to travel across the country and experience the Korean culture . Stevens is among 322 young foreigners from English - speaking countries who have participated in the 7 th orientation of the program starting in early August on Sejong Campus of Korea University in Yeongi , South Chungcheong Province . The program was launched in 2008 to provide an English immersion environment to rural elementary schools by attracting native English speakers from abroad . It is also intended to give them a chance to experience Korean culture and travel across the country . They are placed to rural schools because students there are less exposed to native English speakers than their urban peers . The foreign teachers on the program receive monthly stipend and accommodation subsidy from the Korean government . Currently , about 600 foreigners are in the country under the program to narrow the gap between English education in the city and the country . One foreigner is assigned per school . “ Korea is the first country to attract foreigners from English speaking countries to every nook and corner where English is taught as the second language . They reach out to those kids who are underprivileged in terms of exposure to native English speakers , ” said a program coordinator . The idea behind the program came from one of President Lee Myung - bak ’ s presidential campaign pledges to improve public school English education . In Korea , most students from kindergartens to universities spend an exorbitant amount of time and money on learning to speak English . The program seeks not only to give rural children a wider access to native English speakers , but also is an opportunity for foreign youngsters of the Korean descent to experience and better understand their motherland . It is a good chance as well for other foreigners to learn Korean . Over the past four years , it has developed into a useful system for children in the countryside in learning English and a hotbed of civilian diplomats who will spread the real Korea when they go back to their countries . “ The program has achieved its three goals ― teaching English to rural children , helping Korean - Americans take pride in their motherland and promoting Korea to foreigners , ” said Chung Dong - su , public relations manager of the TaLK program . “ It ’ s forming a sort of diplomatic network . It will be even tighter and stronger in 10 or 20 years as some of young participants will become leaders in their countries . ” According to Chung , many of the participants , particularly repeat participants , extend their stay from the minimum six months to the maximum two years to enjoy living in Korea for as long as possible . Or they come back to rejoin the program at a later date . The Korean Wave , or Hallyu , which has turned a lot of youngsters , particularly Asians , into avid fans of Korean actors and pop singers , is a driving force behind the program . “ The number of Asians born in English - speaking countries who want to participate in the program is increasing due to the hallyu boom , ” said Yoon Nam - hee , program curriculum supervisor . “ A more multicultural program will have positive effects on children of today who are required to grow up as global citizens . Fortunately , children are more open - minded to diverse cultures and peoples than grown - ups , ” said Chung . My Dam , 26 , who is Vietnamese - British , decided to take part in the program mainly because she wants to learn more about the Korean culture , especially hallyu , as she is a fan of the girl group 2 NE 1 and the boy band Big Bang . Applicants go through a two - stage screening process . Candidates should first submit their application to Korean embassies or consulate offices in their areas along with a statement of participation purpose , a letter of recommendation and documentation showing no criminal records . After interviews at embassies or consulates , they move on to the second phase of screening by the National Institute for International Education , an agency affiliated with the Education Ministry , in Seoul . During the four - week orientation , participants take lectures on effective classroom management and other teaching methods , curriculum design , Korean culture and cross - cultural issues . By Lee Woo - young ( wylee @ heraldm . com )