Liberty in North Korea
LiNK English
Language Program
2024 Spring Semester Recruitment
What is the LiNK English Language Program?
LiNK English Language Program
LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) runs a 1:1 online English language program for resettled North Koreans.
The program spans six semesters, starting in the Summer of 2021 and continuing until Fall 2023.
So far 704 people, including 351 students and 353 volunteers have been part of this initiative.
Background
In North Korea, many young people lack opportunities to learn English.
In South Korea, English is crucial for educational and professional success.
Learning English increases self-efficacy, enables communication with people around the world, and can open up new opportunities.
Program Goals
This program is designed to build the capacity of resettled North Koreans in their 20s and 30s by improving their English speaking abilities.
Improved English will help North Korean students academically and in the job market, empowering them to fulfill their potential and contribute to the North Korean issue as agents of change.
Furthermore, the program will equip more North Koreans to share their perspectives and stories with the world in English if they wish to.
Recruitment Details
Recruiting
Volunteers who can work with a North Korean student online to improve their English conversational abilities twice a week, 1 hour per session
Must reside in South Korea during the program (March - June)
Must be over 18 years old
Must be a native or fluent English speaker, and having Korean language ability is preferred
ESL teaching experience is preferred
* Volunteers who have participated in the program before are exempt from doing an interview *
Participation Benefits
Global Cultural Exchange with resettled North Korean students and volunteers from various countries and backgrounds.
Empowering North Korean individuals in a meaningful, lasting way by providing crucial educational support and helping to broaden people's horizons and opportunities.
Professional Development through curriculum training and teaching using an Oxford University Press online textbook (Smart Choice series).
Receive exclusive LiNK Merchandise as a token of appreciation for your participation in offline activities.
LiNK Volunteer Appreciation Certificate & Letter of Recommendation (if requested)
Spring Semester Schedule
Mandatory
1. Orientation: 3/6 (Wed) 6:30 - 8:00 pm (ONLINE)
2. Semester: 3/11 (Mon) - 6/1 (Sat)
12 weeks in total (including orientation)
3. Graduation ceremony: 6/1 (Sat) (OFFLINE, in Seoul)
Optional Offline Group Activities
1. Hiking (3/23)
2. Student Speech contest (May)
(Exact dates will be announced after participants are selected)
1:1 sessions (online)
Be an encouraging English conversation teacher twice a week, one hour per session.
Be a friendly coach for your student to practice their English speeches and presentations with.
Offline activities
Join monthly offline activities and build relationships
Cultural exchange & networking between program participants
Program Textbook
Volunteers will be provided with an online textbook (students will get a hard copy) published by Oxford University Press.
There are 6 levels of textbook:
Smart Choice Starter - Smart Choice Levels 1~5
Program FAQ
Application related
Q. Is there a minimum age for volunteers?
A. Yes, we are currently looking for volunteers over 18 years old. FYI, most students in the program are in their 20s-30s and in university.
Q. I will be leaving South Korea in the middle of the program. Can I participate?
A. Unfortunately, no. Although 1:1 sessions are online we are looking for volunteers who will stay in South Korea for the whole program so there will be less scheduling conflict from time differences, and to enable in-person meetings and events including the graduation.
Q. What are the selection criteria?
A. Selection is based on English teaching experience (in schools or tutoring), proficiency in Korean (preferred but not required), and motivations for applying.
Q. I don't have much Korean language ability. Can I still apply?
A. Yes, please. There are intermediate or advanced-level students who can study English with you without using Korean. Please understand that the number of these students in the semester might affect how many volunteers with low Korean proficiency we can accept.
Q. Can I apply even if I do not have much experience teaching English?
A: Teaching experience is one of the most important factors in selecting our volunteers since we are looking for those who can teach English effectively. Any teaching or tutoring experience you can tell us about will help us in our selection process.
Q. How will the interview be conducted?
A. Interviews will be conducted online via Google Meet and will take less than 20 minutes. Most questions will be in English, but we may ask a couple of questions in Korean to assess your proficiency level for student matching. No need to feel pressure! We're all friendly people :)
Volunteering related
Q. Can I meet up with my student in person?
A: Yes, as long as you and your student both want to. Meet-up guidelines will be provided during the orientation.
Q. Can I have two hour class at a time?
A: Since this program focuses on improving English conversation skills, the student and volunteer will conduct classes twice a week as much as possible. If there is a scheduling issue, you can do a single 2-hour class in one week.
Q. What is the LiNK English Language Program volunteer work certificate?
A: The volunteer work certificate shows that you have successfully completed your volunteer work in our program. Some volunteers have asked us to provide such a certificate to use when applying for schools, jobs, etc. We are happy to provide this for our volunteers.
LiNK English Language Program Impact
2021 Summer & Fall semester
Participants: 143
(Students and volunteers included)
2022 Spring & Fall semester
Participants: 268
(Students and volunteers included)
2023 Spring & Fall semester
Participants: 293
(Students and volunteers included)
Participants' Reflection
Students
🙋♀️ "Though you were so busy with work, you still made the time to teach a student like me. Thank you for your hard work. If I were in North Korea, I would have never imagined that I would get English tutoring lessons one day. It was all possible because of your warm heart and dedication. Now that I am in South Korea, I realize that the brainwashing I got in North Korea about capitalism was totally wrong. I pray that you have a bright future ahead."
💁♂️ "Even if our English improvement doesn't seem very noticeable right away, thanks to all of you, we resettled North Korean students could overcome our fear of English. We could share with the world about the human rights violations in North Korea, gain confidence and help to accomplish our goals as well as become empowered to play our roles in this new society. Thanks so much, all the Buddies, for dedicating your time and efforts to us."
🙋♀️ "My teacher always listened to me and helped me be confident. Sometimes I get disappointed in myself during class, but whenever I lack confidence, my teacher cheers me up and says, “It is okay to feel that way. You can do it!” Thank you for all the support and guidance. "
Volunteers
🙆 "My favorite part of our sessions was honestly becoming friends with my student! It was really encouraging to see her vocabulary, pronunciation, and her reading speed improve during the course of the semester."
🙋♀️ "The program was an interesting and worthwhile volunteering experience! Recognizing that people who have left North Korea are normal people with hopes and dreams is really important. This program allows its volunteers to do so, in a casual and fun way. I hope that my English tuition will help my student in her academic and personal life."
💁♂️ "I am really glad I attended the Hike and the Speech contest. I got to meet amazing people from all over the world and got to learn more about the global community. Also, watching my student’s English improve throughout the semester is definitely what keeps me going as an English teacher. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the Linkglish program."
🙋♀️ "I am so honored to be a part of such a beautiful program like this. I’ll never take it for granted that I have the chance to interact with and hear the stories of our beautiful North Korean friends. Thank you guys for all you do!!"
About Liberty in North Korea
Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) is an international NGO working with the North Korean people as they achieve their liberty. Our staff are from North Korea, South Korea, the US and around the world.
LiNK helps North Korean refugees escape through a 3,000-mile secret rescue route and empowers North Koreans who have reached freedom to be changemakers, advocates, and leaders on this issue.
To achieve our mission, we have launched the LiNK English Language Program to build the capacity of young resettled North Koreans by helping to improve their English abilities.
Learn more
LiNK Instagram: @libertyinnorthkorea (ENG) & @libertyinnk.kr (KOR)
LiNK Website: www.libertyinnorthkorea.org/
If you have any questions, please contact programs@libertyinnorthkorea.org