Koreans Flock to the Phillipines for English Study
An article in today’s Korea Times deals with the increasing number of Koreans who are traveling to the Phillipines for English Study. The last five years, in particular, have seen a phenomenal rise in numbers. Foreigners who want to enroll in Philippine schools are required to get either the Special Study Permit (SSP) or a Student Visa. In 2004, the data showed 5,877 South Koreans were given SSPs in the Philippines. The figure increased three-fold to 17,904 in 2005. The numbers continued to increase over the next three years. In 2006, 21,876 Koreans obtained SSPs while 27,322 got the permits in 2007. Last year, 29,155 Koreans were granted permission to study short-term courses in the country.
There are several important factors behind the English education explosion in the Phillipines.
- The Phillipines has affordable education.
- The country can be reached by plane from Korea in just four hours.
- The Phillipines has a low cost of living.
- It also has the allure of white sand beaches and tropical weather.
The surge in popularity of the country as an ESL destination has spawned the rise of illegal language centers, especially in the provinces. Experts have also noted that there are no regulations that serve as teaching standards when it comes to ESL.