Seoul will pilot the use of robot English teaching assistants in early 2024.

The pilot program aims to improve the effectiveness of English teaching in the public education system, while reducing the burden on parents of the cost of extra English lessons for their children.

According to the above plan, from March 2024, a total of 5 schools will be selected to pilot the robot teaching assistant model.

The city government will provide each school with an English teaching robot. The robot product is currently being developed by the city in collaboration with private enterprises.

In appearance, the English teaching assistant robot is similar to the robots serving at restaurants but is equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) applications capable of chatting with students.

In the classroom, robots will act as teaching assistants for teachers, carrying out activities appropriate to students' levels such as correcting pronunciation and practicing English.

In addition, Seoul City will also pilot both a smartphone app and a chatbot to help improve English listening and speaking skills in some public schools. The chatbot app will have the ability to converse in English with students based on situations they set up.

To improve the effectiveness of foreign language teaching and learning, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said it will expand the implementation of international exchange classes. Currently, 198 schools in Korea are establishing exchanges with partners in 18 countries.

Within the next three years, Seoul City plans to expand international exchange classes to all middle schools and schools at other levels that wish to apply.

International exchange class is a class with online exchange between students in Seoul and foreign students through a modern translation and interpretation system.