South Korean students' motivation to study English drops as use of AI tools rises: Report
An increasing number of middle school students in South Korea are asking whether they need to study English at all, now that artificial intelligence (AI) can do the work for them.
A new government report shows a clear drop in student motivation to learn English, and education officials posit that the widespread use of AI-powered translation apps is playing a key role.
According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Achievement, released on July 22 by South Korea's Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, just 61.3 per cent of third-year middle school students ( roughly Secondary 3 in Singapore ) said they are 'highly motivated' to study English.
That marks a drop of 2.5 percentage points from 2023.
The report also found that fewer students see English as valuable for their academic or professional futures.
In 2023, 73.1 per cent of surveyed students said they believed English was a 'highly worthwhile' subject. That number dropped to 69.6 per cent in 2024.
The 2024 survey drew responses from a nationally representative sample of 27,606 middle and high school students.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singapore's domestic recycling rate drops to all-time low of 11%
Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kicks in
Singapore Local buyers are key to recovery of prime district condo market
Singapore New online channel for public to report illegal ride-hailing services
Singapore Ex-Tanjong Pagar United footballer charged with assault after Singapore Premier League match in Feb
Singapore COE prices for cars mostly unchanged; premium for commercial vehicles up 2.9%
Life The Projector will resume daily screenings at Golden Mile Tower. Is it exiting Cineleisure next?
Singapore Cyclist charged after allegedly hitting elderly pedestrian, killing him
Classroom teachers say the change is palpable.
Many students now complete homework assignments by plugging English sentences into translation apps like Naver's Papago or OpenAI's ChatGPT.
One Seoul teacher told researchers that students who returned from overseas trips and showed a renewed interest in learning English now heavily rely on AI tools, feeling less need to improve their skills on their own.
An official from the Education Ministry put it this way: 'In Korea, English has mostly been something you study to pass exams, not something you actually use. That's always been a challenge.'
'But now, with AI tools handling translation so easily, some students are asking themselves why they need to study at all. The ones who already lacked confidence in English are the first to give up, and over time, that might widen the learning gap,' he added. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Colombia denounces mass deportation of citizens from Ecuador
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Colombians who are deported by the Ecuadorian government line up at the Rumichaca International Bridge in Colombia, July 26, 2025. Colombian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS BOGOTA - Colombia's Foreign Ministry on Friday criticized Ecuador for deporting large numbers of Colombian citizens without a formal protocol, describing it as a "unfriendly gesture," while Quito said the removals followed legal procedures and upheld human rights standards. On Thursday, the Colombian government reported that authorities in the neighboring country had announced plans to deport Colombians currently imprisoned in various Ecuadorian penitentiaries. "Through diplomatic channels, Colombia has formally lodged its strongest protest against the Ecuadorian government for this unfriendly act, and is currently evaluating appropriate measures in response," the Foreign Ministry said Friday night. The ministry emphasized that Ecuador had taken this action "without implementing any protocol to guarantee the safe, orderly, and respectful transfer of detainees, in line with their human rights." Ecuador's Foreign Ministry said in a statement it had notified Colombia via diplomatic channels of individual deportation proceedings starting July 8, and that the process followed the country's legal framework. Authorities underscored their commitment to due process, citing the issuance of individual rulings and judicial release orders. "Ecuador therefore rejects claims of mass deportations," the ministry said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar Meanwhile, Radio Caracol reported that Amilcar Pantoja, mayor of the Colombian border town of Ipiales, confirmed that around 700 Colombian detainees were being sent across the binational bridge without prior official notice. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
HSA will not trace vape users who throw away e-vaporisers in disposable bins at 23 CCs
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SINGAPORE - Those who throw their vapes into designated disposal bins installed around Singapore can be assured their identities will not be traced, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on July 26. HSA said this in response to The Straits Times' queries about the 'Bin the Vape' initiative, regarding concerns about possible repercussions if vape users surrendered their devices. Launched by HSA, the Ministry of Health and the People's Association (PA) on July 25, bins were placed at 23 community clubs (CCs) and one residents' network centre around the island. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000, but the authorities said during the launch that no action will be taken against those who voluntarily dispose of their vapes. On July 26, HSA said: 'We would like to assure members of the public that the Health Sciences Authority will not be tracing the identities of any persons who had binned the e-vaporisers. 'We strongly encourage the public to dispose of their e-vaporisers, if any, using these disposal bins as they offer a confidential, secure and responsible disposal method.' The red bin resembles a normal trash bin – but with posters of the initiative plastered on its front and top, promising a safe and confidential disposal of vapes. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar A CCTV camera aimed at the bin deters theft of the disposed vapes and tampering, but had sparked concerns among some about being watched or identified. Privacy issues involving the use of data came up during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, regarding data collected by contact tracing app and token TraceTogether. The authorities had originally said there was no intention to use TraceTogether data as a means of picking up breaches of existing rules, but later said it could be used for criminal investigations. This was because the Singapore Police Force is empowered under the Criminal Procedure Code to obtain any data, including TraceTogether data, for criminal investigations. HSA also addressed concerns about theft and tampering of the vape disposal bins. It said they are locked and secured to fixtures such as pillars. Once the vapes are dropped inside the bins, they will not be retrievable. Cases of tampering or theft will be referred to the police. HSA said vapes may contain illicit substances like etomidate or controlled drugs and should be disposed of properly in the bins. HSA added: 'These designated bins ensure these items are properly contained and destroyed, preventing them from being retrieved and potentially misused.' It added these bins will be emptied regularly, and the disposed vapes will be sent to the incineration plants for proper destruction under close supervision. The 'Bin the Vape' initiative is meant to encourage vape users to quit before the law catches up with them. The authorities noted that etomidate, a listed poison increasingly found in vapes here , will be classified as a Class C illegal drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act in the coming weeks. On July 25, the authorities reminded vape users and those consuming etomidate to give up their habit immediately. Members of the public can visit to locate the nearest bin. HSA said the locations are not a reflection of rates of vape usage around Singapore, but were decided based on available and convenient locations island-wide and in consultation with the PA. The bins will be progressively placed in other locations, such as at institutes of higher learning. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Driver escapes with minor injuries after car plunges off ferry in Switzerland
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A 50-year-old man drove too far onto a Lake Zurich ferry and tipped his car over the bow of the ferry into the lake. ZURICH - A car plunged off a ferry into Lake Zurich on July 26, Swiss police said, with the driver able to escape with only minor injuries. The incident happened in Horgen, south of Switzerland's biggest city Zurich, shortly before 7am (1pm in Singapore), with the car going straight through and overshooting the end of the boat. A 50-year-old man drove his car onto the ferry and 'for reasons still unknown, he drove too far and tipped his vehicle over the bow of the ferry into Lake Zurich', a police statement said. 'The injured man was able to exit the vehicle by his own efforts and was rescued and brought to shore,' Zurich Cantonal Police said. There he received initial medical treatment before being taken to hospital for further assessment. Police said he sustained only minor injuries. The car was later recovered from a depth of around 30 metres, the statement said. Police and public prosecutors have opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. AFP Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road Singapore Students hide vapes in underwear, toilet roll holders: S'pore schools grapple with vaping scourge Singapore 'I've tried everything': Mum helpless as son's Kpod addiction spirals out of control Singapore NDP 2025: How Benjamin Kheng is whisked from Marina Bay to Padang in 10 minutes by boat, buggy Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 HDB flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Singapore From libraries to living rooms: How reading habits take root in underserved S'pore children Asia Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur for resignation of PM Anwar
