The LEC program is a six-level certificate program, recognized across Korean National Universities, designed to help students improve their English conversation abilities through various interactive, learner-centered, and task-based activities. It is open to all university students as well as the general public. There are set weekly themes and course objectives for each level.

Level 1

Although this is the level for beginners, most students have some very basic knowledge of the English language. The knowledge that most students bring includes the alphabet and basic phonics, the 6 wh-question words, and very basic grammar (SVO structure). At this level, high emphasis is placed on developing their ability to use what little English ability they have confidently. Pronunciation and vocabulary building are also closely looked at through listening and guided conversational exercises found within the course book. Some emphasis is also placed on breaking the “Konglish” factor in that effort is made to correct the common errors that all beginner Korean-English students make. Many instructors view this as the “confidence building” level with regards to conversational/speaking skills. The textbook currently being used is: Smart Choice 1 by Ken Wilson & Thomas Healy

Level 2

This level is designed to further the students’ ability to communicate using all three verb tenses including the present perfect. Once a grammar point has been explained with examples, the students then have opportunities to practice the new structure through listening and guided conversational exercises. Emphasis is placed on building vocabulary. Sociolinguistics play a bigger role in level 2 as the students become better able to converse with each other and are guided on how to become active listeners. The textbook currently being used is: Smart Choice 2 by Ken Wilson & Thomas Healy

Level 3

Level 3 takes the student through the most advanced grammatical structures. Through guided conversation and listening practice, the students learn to effectively communicate on general terms. By the end of this level, students must be ready to carry on conversations without grammatical explanation beforehand. This is the last level of English conversation where the student is taught step by step how to build a conversation. The textbook currently being used is: Interchange 2 by Jack C. Richards

Level 4

This level introduces a transition from English conversation to conversational English while still incorporating the partial usage of a textbook. Students are now the speakers within the class. Each week, a theme is given alongside the textbook and a grammatical point, and specific communication skills are facilitated through these themes. Usually, any additional or supplemental handouts are given to the students prior to a class, which include the communication function and a few issues that should be reviewed by the student. The following lesson then sees the students discussing a particular issue while integrating that specific communication skill. Once the book component has been taught, the instructor simply listens to the conversations for the majority of the class and then provides some feedback on what he/she heard throughout the class. The textbook currently being used is: Interchange 3 by Jack C. Richards

Level 5

Level 5 is the beginning of fluency in English communication. Although when entering level 5, much information must still be learned, the student should have a solid background in having conversations in English. As with level 4, themes and communication functions are given in the form of handouts but this time without any textbook. The issues discussed are more complex than in level 4. Again, the instructor’s role is to facilitate and speak as little as possible, providing feedback and error correction usually at the end of a class rather than disturb the conversational flow between students. There is no specific textbook for this course. The themes for each week are provided and instructors provide handouts that match the communication skills and objectives of the level.

Level 6

Level 6 is the fluency fine-tuner. Students who have graduated from level 5 are considered to be near fluent in English. Level 6 hones in on the most complex communication functions and fine-tunes the students’ skills to allow them to participate in almost any given conversation with native English speakers. It is rare for a student to pass level 6 the first time he/she enters the course. The course outline is an extension of level five, with more complex issues. There is no specific textbook for this course. The themes for each week are provided and instructors provide handouts that match the communication skills and objectives of the level. There is a specific “exit” interview offered to students deemed suitable by instructors to graduate the whole program. Upon passing, the aforementioned test, students will be awarded certificates of completion.