One of the major pledges of the new government is the so-called “free learning semester system.” The basic concept of the new system is that middle schools implement programs to promote career exploration, discussion, field study and hands-on experience for one semester, while still providing lessons on main subjects, so that students can have opportunities to develop their dreams and talents.

Yet no concrete road map has been suggested by the Ministry of Education to back up its implementation. Worse, the objective of the free learning semester system seems to become fuzzy amid ongoing debates over three possible objectives ― personality, creative teaching-learning or career exploration ― raising concerns that it may fail to find the momentum to drive its operation.

Personality is a universal value in education and an element consistently emphasized in all classes and textbooks. Creative teaching-learning methods can also be found in various student-led activities in our school, such as student career clubs, career-based volunteering for local communities, hands-on work experience, art and sport activities as well as interdisciplinary career education at school.

By contrast, “career exploration” has been dealt with only to a limited extent in school because it was overshadowed by curriculums tailored to university entrance exams. Therefore, career exploration needs to be further touched upon by the free learning semester system.

So far, only rough directions have been set regarding the implementation of the free learning semester system. The government is planning to test the system at 37 schools in 2013, and expand it to other schools from 2015. Each city and provincial government will have to decide to which grade and semester the system will be applied. But for the successful implementation of the system, there are some preconditions that must be fulfilled.

Career exploration

First, the objective of the free learning semester should be clearly defined. The system aims to let students explore career options in a long-term perspective through self-assessment. By definition, career exploration is a part of the career development process, whereby students understand their own talents, aptitude and dreams. Through career exploration, students also learn about various career options and get hands-on work experience, so that they can establish a clear goal for their career after graduating. Students can also learn a good way of speaking, understanding others and establishing one’s own criteria of desirable behavior and values, which help form the basic foundation of capabilities required for career development.

Simply, the free learning semester system encourages students to explore career options and establish a vision for a career so that they can find the reasons for “why I need to study,” get motivated to learn and ultimately lead a happy school life.

Second, the system requires meticulous preparation. There may be a variety of models of the free learning semester customized to the education system in Korea. For instance, it may be linked with school curriculum only, or with any combination of curriculum and after-school programs.

Considering the pros and cons of each model, the one most appropriate for the school and the local community in question should be recommended and the opinions of students, parents and teachers should also be reflected in the selection process.

Each model should be backed up by detailed programs and manuals. For a free learning semester model linked with curriculum, the class hour of basic subjects such as Korean, English and math may be reduced and instead that of non-subject, creative hands-on activities may be increased, with a focus on career exploration.

Third, the government should support workplaces and social enterprises to join hands with schools to help students explore various career options. It is necessary to actively tap into expertise inside and outside of schools, such as professionals in various sectors, retired specialists and parents who volunteer to contribute their talents, and provide them with training programs to reinforce expertise, thus accumulating expertise needed for the operation of the free learning semester.

Meticulous preparation

Fourth, the selection criteria of schools to operate the system and framework to evaluate learning should be established. If schools in rural areas, for instance, where students have relatively fewer opportunities for career exploration, are preferentially chosen to implement the free learning semester, it will help students there to set a vision for career and clear goals in life.

The results of their career exploration activities should be recorded in school reports and career portfolios, to be approved by their teachers, so as to be used as reference in career counseling.

Fifth, teaching-learning methods to encourage students’ active participation in learning may be developed by shifting the focus from teacher to student. In addition, it should be noted that hands-on experience is more effective than clear-cut knowledge in changing students’ behavior and helping them form and develop social relationships.

Sixth, R&D efforts should be continued, which include monitoring the operation result of the free learning semester on an annual basis and reinforcing its strengths. At the same time, the educational effect of the system should be publicized in order to ease public concerns.

To successfully operate the free learning semester system, students should first of all be motivated, feel the joy of learning, and feel free from the stresses associated with university entrance exams, advanced learning and private education.

The teacher-centered learning should also be shifted to student-centered learning in order to bring more active participation in learning. Also, the evaluation of learning should focus on what students learned and how it affected their career plans, instead of written tests. Lastly, various workforces in the local communities including parents, professionals and retirees as well as schoolteachers should be actively mobilized.

With all those conditions met, the free learning semester system centered on career exploration will provide momentum to innovate the educational system of Korea, creating happy schools as well as vitalizing career education. 

By Lee Ji-yeon

The writer is a senior research fellow from the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training. ― Ed.