A mother of two and a homemaker, Mrs. Kim was troubled. There was no English education institute that was good enough for her children. Because Mrs. Kim's family lived in America for a few years, her children's English writing and speaking abilities were far better than those in the same age. Wanting her children to maintain their abilities, she consulted a few academies nearby. But they all shook their heads saying, "We don't have any programs that fit your children's level."
Though skeptical at first, when a friend recommended and told her about POLY Returnee Education Institute, Kim heaved a sigh of relief. Her problem was solved at last.
POLY aims to educate children who have returned from English speaking countries (Returnee) and those with higher English skills than other children in the same age (Gifted & Talented).
POLY teaches preschoolers to middle school students, with American school textbooks, and has three exclusive teaching systems that make it stand out from other institutes.
One, POLY teaches students based on American private school curriculums. POLY researches many American textbooks and curriculums to find the best educational program for its students.
Two, POLY employs only the best teachers. POLY's teachers are not only native speakers but hold teaching certificates and have experience in educating children. POLY has set up a corporation in America, KOREA-R.E.I, to recruit and hire instructors who undergo a comprehensive system of review.
Three, POLY monitors the progress of all of its students. POLY's students take monthly tests to check their improvement, and POLY consults with the parents regularly to maximize the educational effect.
POLY insists on an 'English only' policy, which creates an atmosphere of students using English not only in class and school, but even in shuttle buses.
POLY was first established in 1999 and now has 16 campuses throughout the country. Being the only English education institute that serves students who have returned from overseas, POLY helps them to adjust to Korea again without any major difficulties.
Jin-hee Park, 39, remembers how her daughters went through a hard time before they went to POLY. "Coming back to Korea after spending two years in America, my daughters had a hard time because of the different language and the cultural gap. But they overcame the problems while meeting friends in POLY who feel more comfortable using English like themselves."
"And since I'm thinking of sending them back to America to study, POLY's curriculum really helps. The curriculum helps my children maintain their English abilities and helps them remember the education they experienced in America," she said.
English has become more important due to globalization. Educators say it is better to learn English at an early age, and POLY aims to help its students become "trans-national" people, who can play leading roles in the future.

Unlike other institutes, POLY has English libraries which carry 10,000 to 15,000 English books for kindergartener to high school students at each campus.
Like a school library in the United States, a 'POLY English Library' displays a variety of books, including award-winning titles recommended by school boards and libraries, and categorizes them by grade and age.
Students who study in POLY can borrow five books for one week with a student card. By reading English books from the POLY English library, students can learn more about the culture of English-speaking countries and also improve their English proficiency.
POLY is also running a "Reading Instruction Program", based on the books in the library, to help parents be more involved in the English language learning process. Kindergarteners receive "Starbooks," a package consisting of a book and an audiotape recorded by Native English speakers. At home, children can read the books out loud and then compare their pronunciation with that of a native English speaker. Parents are encouraged to help their children listen to the recording and read the books to be more involved with their children's education. Through this program, children can read at least one short story per day, ending up reading hundreds of books in a year.
For elementary and middle school students, POLY is planning to run, beginning in May, a 'Reading Program' that is widely used in private schools in the United States. The program encourages students not only to borrow books from the library, but also tests students on how well they understand the books. The 'Reading Comprehension' program provides questions to the students, evaluating how well students understand the contents of the books.
At a POLY English Library, a mother of a fourth grade student who was picking up a book said, "I can find a lot of books that I can? find in bookstores in Korea." She also said that she is satisfied with the reading instruction program the institution provides for students.

(hayney@heraldm.com)