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English-Friendly City vision is becoming clearer
On Feb. 6, city officials annㅆunced policies to make Busan an English-Friendly City during an event at Millac the Market in Suyeong-gu.
Busan Metropolitan City announced the policies, strategies and goals for its English-Friendly City initiative during an event on Feb. 6 at Millac the Market in Suyeong-gu District.
Over 300 people attended the ceremony, including Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon, Ahn Seong-min, chairman of the Busan Metropolitan Council, and Ha Yoonsoo, superintendent of the Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education.
During the event, Mayor Park presented his vision of a global hub city where English is freely and comfortably spoken by citizens and visitors. He also outlined the key achievements necessary to realize this endeavor. His goals include fostering an environment where kids can learn English easily; implementing policies that allow citizens to work and start businesses at the global level; catering to foreign travelers and residents by easing language barriers; and encouraging civic engagement with the city's English-focused policies.
Busan appointed Korean American R&B singer Johan Kim as the English-Friendly City ambassador. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Kim is the lead vocalist of the legendary South Korean R&B trio Solid. Given his fluency in English, cultural background, and popularity, he is an effective ambassador for the initiative.
In addition, Busan English Broadcasting, otherwise known as BeFM, announced a new radio program called "All-Star English." The program aims to make learning English easy, convenient and enjoyable for citizens. It features R&B singer Kim; Asia Lee Campbell, the Youth Ambassador for Public Relations of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery; Boogi, Busan's seagull mascot; and host Minsoo Shin. The "edutainment" show airs Monday to Friday, 6:08 to 8 p.m., on FM radio channels 90.5 and 103.3 and the BeFM website.
The "All-Star English" cast attended the event at Millac the Market to promote the show. Kim also treated the audience to a live performance.
How to create an English-Friendly City
During a ceremony on Feb. 6, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon reiterated his commitment to making Busan a global hub city where people want to live generation after generation and a place where people all over the world want to visit, invest in and move to.
Under his guidance, the city has made great strides in the economy, competitive infrastructure and tourism. Despite global supply chain problems resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, Busan remains among the world's busiest transshipment ports and is the seventh-largest container port in the world. With the completion of Gadeokdo New Airport in 2029, the city will further establish itself as a global logistics powerhouse.
On the tourism front, Busan is now Korea's top tourist destination. It claims a greater share of international tourists than Seoul and Jeju Island and has seen faster post-pandemic tourism recovery than other parts of the country.
Now, City Hall turns its attention to education. Busan's English-Friendly City initiative is the latest step in becoming a global hub city. Under this strategy, local governments and citizens will foster an atmosphere that supports any Busanite in becoming fluent in English.
The city has already laid the foundation of an English-friendly future by expanding Deullak Nallak libraries citywide. These education centers offer children and their families greater access to English learning opportunities.
An English-fluent population is essential to Busan's global competitiveness. With 40% of international visitors hailing from English-speaking countries and English's status as the lingua franca of international relations, eliminating language barriers between local residents and foreign visitors is a must.
City Hall's plans to increase English fluency include expanding and improving English education, helping local businesses enter global markets and designating certain neighborhoods as English-friendly.
Vision: A global hub city where citizens are happy | |
Goal: English -Friendly City | |
Strategic Directions | Tactics |
Foster Busan into a city where learning English is easy and convenient. | Establish English education programs for preschoolers. |
Expand and improve English education for students in elementary to high school. | |
Develop localized English education programs. | |
Support English learning in students' daily lives via multimedia platforms and devices. | |
Make Busan a launchpad for citizens entering the global economy. | Operate global internship programs for Busan youth. |
Help Busan businesses enter international markets. | |
Eliminate language barriers to promote foreign tourism. | Install multilanguage information signs for international visitors and residents. |
Designate and expand English-Friendly areas for tourists. | |
Cultivate a global city where anyone can live a good life. | Designate and operate English-Friendly areas for administrative support. |
Promote the "Good Life in Busan" campaign to attract international residents. | |
Spark civic engagement to support English-Friendly City policies. | Strengthen citizen involvement through civic promotions and events. |
Encourage citizen-led advocacy of the English-Friendly City initiative. | |
<Voca Spotlight>
Council: 의회
endeavor: 노력
foster: 육성하다, 양육하다
seagull: 갈매기
transshipment: 환적
lingua franca: 링구아 프랑카(서로 다은 모어를 사용하는 화자들이 의사소통을 하기 위해 국제어, 공용어로 사용하는 제3언어)