ABSTRACT
The language education policies of South Korea are affected by political and economic factors. Through the changes in the national curriculum, English language education has developed from promoting rote learning to advocating the communicative approach. Future language education policies should provide more balanced language education. Korean as a National Language education has been offered in elementary and secondary schools as if all Korean students have similar economic and social backgrounds. In the future, however, Korean as a National Language education should take into consideration students from families of foreign residents, students from multi-cultural families, and those Korean returnees from overseas education. English language is important in Korea and will continue to be in the future. The study of foreign languages other than English should be increased to strike a balance.
