“Opening the Future Through Two Languages”: Building the Skills of Students from Migrant Backgrounds

[Financial News] The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education will provide a venue for students from migrant backgrounds to present their experiences and dreams in Korean and their parents’ native languages. The initiative aims to view the students’ linguistic and cultural backgrounds as strengths and assets for the future.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 6th that it will hold the 14th Bilingual Festival on the 7th in the audiovisual room and lobby on the first floor of its main office. A total of 31 students—18 elementary school students and 13 middle and high school students—selected through preliminary rounds will take part.
The students will present stories about their experiences and dreams, as well as their families and cultures, in 11 languages, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, Pashto, Tamil and Urdu.
The speaking competition will be divided into elementary and secondary school divisions. Students will first present in Korean on topics such as hobbies, career plans, school life, their favorite aspects of Korean culture, and their experiences learning Korean or becoming bilingual. They will then present the same content in their parents’ native languages. Outstanding students will receive awards and be recommended as Seoul representatives for the National Bilingual Speaking Contest.
The event lobby will display nine award-winning creative webtoons produced by students on themes including “Differences and Respect” and “Improving Awareness of Multiculturalism.” It will also offer “The Algorithm We Create Together,” a cultural diversity program in which participants choose words that express themselves and connect them with thread to create a collaborative artwork.
The event will be open to students from other schools as well. Classes and clubs may attend the presentations and take part in the exhibition and experiential programs. Students who wish to participate individually may do so after completing their schools’ procedures for off-campus experiential learning.
Geun-sik Chung, superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, “Being able to speak two languages is a precious strength that enables us to understand two worlds and connect people.” He added, “I hope this festival will become a stage where students take pride in their languages and cultures and freely showcase their strengths.”

[email protected] Man-gi Kim Reporter