A group of Korean students gather around their teacher in the late 19th century. Robert Neff Collection

In early 1882, an overheard conversation between two Korean students staying at a hotel in Tokyo was recorded in an English-language newspaper. One student, fluent in Japanese, told his companion that he intended to study English so that he could “learn the real value of Western civilization through the reading of English books.” His friend was horrified. He explained that while they were permitted “to learn Japanese, as the Japanese were less barbarous than Western nations,” it was imperative not to study Western languages for fear of becoming like them — barbarians.

The first student, the “enlightened” one, laughed at this foolish notion and insisted he would study English regardless. His laughter faded quickly when his friend threatened to kill himself. For Korea, he explained, was “a divine country” and life was not worth living if his closest friend became a barbarian.

By the mid-1880s in Korea, English was no longer considered foreign and barbaric but was seen as a tool for advancement in government service and employment. In 1886, three Americans — Dalzell Bunker, George Gilmore and Homer Hulbert — were employed by the Korean government as teachers at the Royal College — where young Korean nobles were taught on “the American plan.”

In the fall of 1888, Frank Carpenter, an American journalist, visited the college and was greatly impressed. He observed 40 “bright young men” sitting at desks similar to those used in American colleges, using English-language textbooks while Bunker lectured them in English. Despite their teacher speaking very quickly, the students seemed to fully understand. By invitation, Carpenter gave a short speech and was delighted when the students responded to him in English.

According........

© The Korea Times