Changes in English education during the pre- and post-Kim Jong Un Eras in North Korea: A comparative textbook analysis

Abstract

This study explores how English education developed in North Korea by analyzing the characteristics of secondary English textbooks published in the pre– and post–Kim Jong Un eras. We performed comparative analyses of textbooks for six secondary schools—three each for the junior middle and senior middle schools—published before and after Kim Jong Un’s rule. The comparative analyses adopted Cunningsworth’s textbook evaluation framework to examine the textbooks’ composition and content: (1) aims and approaches, (2) design and organization, and (3) topic variety. The results showed significant changes in listening materials and activities, among others, as well as concurrent developments in teaching methods. Additionally, each unit significantly reduced the number of topics associated with the idolization of the Kim family and the deliberate vilification of capitalist countries and instead increased the integration of other subjects such as mathematics, science, and technology. This study showed that despite various changes, the aim of English education in North Korea continues to be the maintenance and further development of the socialist system through the improvement of students’ English proficiency. This study also discusses the coexistence of different perspectives such as liberal ideas in English textbooks while emphasizing ideology education and its possible ramifications on the future of English education in North Korea. © 2022, Education Research Institute, Seoul National University.