Let’s TaLK study-abroad scholarship

Starting January 2009, Minot State University students can take advantage of an exciting, new study-abroad option in South Korea through MSU’s partner school, Pai Chai University, in Daejeon. PCU is a sponsor of a new South Korean government scholarship program called TaLK: Teach and Learn in Korea, which is designed to improve English-language knowledge and skills throughout that country. Exchange students from Minot State who participate in TaLK will take a full course of study at Pai Chai University and receive opportunities for assisting in English lessons for elementary school children.

Benefits of the TaLK scholarship program are quite generous and include: round-trip airfare, a four-week orientation program, accommodation in a PCU residence hall or with a Korean host family and a monthly allowance of 900,000 Korean Won (approximately U.S. $890). MSU students will also be able to choose from numerous courses taught in English at PCU. Topics cover general education courses, East Asian studies, business-related subjects at the Appenzeller School of Global Business, Chinese, Japanese and Russian language courses, as well as three hours of Korean-language instruction each day. In addition, a variety of cultural programming will be provided during weekends and free time.

In return, TaLK scholarship recipients are expected to co-teach English lessons for elementary school children during after-school sessions, for nine hours each week. Students without prior teaching experience or training should not be discouraged by this requirement. English-teaching methodology and classroom management skills are taught during the four-week orientation at the beginning of the program, and TaLK participants are paired with Korean university students who are also learning to teach English as a second language.

In order to be eligible for the TaLK program, students must be a citizen of a country where the primary language is English, such as the United States or Canada, must be an undergraduate student with two or more years of education, have a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and be willing and eager to adapt to the Korean lifestyle and culture. Candidates should also have a desire to work with children and possess flexibility with regard to working in a shared-classroom setting.

Applications are currently being accepted for spring 2009 with an Oct. 15 deadline and fall 2009 and the 2009-10 academic year with a deadline of Jan. 15. To learn more about this fabulous opportunity, visit http://talk.mest.go.kr or www.minotstateu.edu/international, or stop by the Office of International Programs in the Student Center on the second floor.

08/15/08

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