“The Evolving Role of English in Korea: From Cultural Capital to a Multilingual Future”

This talk is about the evolving role and future prospects of English in Korea, which is rapidly transitioning into a de facto multilingual and multicultural speech community. As a medium of modernization, industrialization, and globalization, English has long been regarded as a form of cultural capital, fueling widespread enthusiasm among Koreans. Over the past three decades, this fervor has been driven by the intersection of national efforts to gain a competitive edge in the global neoliberal economy and the middle class’s aspirations for social mobility. Consequently, an intense and, at times, distorted English-learning craze has emerged, giving rise to various educational and societal challenges.

While the imperialist complex—most notably reflected in the discourse on English as an official language—has reached its peak, and the "Early English Education Boom" continues to escalate, public demand for more effective English education policies remains strong. Against this backdrop, this study argues that Koreans’ traditionally unwavering reverence for English has begun to shift. This claim is substantiated by recent surveys and research on attitudes toward English, language-learning motivation, linguistic landscapes, and the emergence of English-related neologisms in Korean discourse.

The study further highlights that English has become—and will continue to be—a crucial and dynamic linguistic resource for Koreans in navigating an increasingly globalized and multicultural era. Additionally, it underscores how World Englishes can serve as a valuable tool in challenging the entrenched ideology of language being synonymous with nation and ethnicity, thereby fostering a more inclusive perspective on cultural pluralism. Finally, this paper discusses how Korea’s growing global influence, coupled with the rapid advancement of AI-driven educational technology, is empowering students, by reshaping students’ attitudes toward English and enhancing their learning experiences through personalized education.