Songpa-gu, Free Online English Classes for Low-Income Students

Songpa-gu and D-Share Sign Business Agreement to Expand Support for Non-Face-to-Face English Lectures... "Minimizing Learning Gaps Due to COVID-19 and Reducing Educational Disparities for Low-Income Students"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) is expanding its online education support project in collaboration with Dshare, a local English education specialist company, to eliminate the educational blind spots of vulnerable students caused by the spread of COVID-19 and provide learning opportunities.

In July last year, the district signed a business agreement with Dshare, which practices online education sharing, and actively launched an online education support project by providing free English learning courses to 115 low-income students from 3rd year middle school to high school whose household income is below 60% of the median income.

This year, the 'Songpa Online Education Support Project' will be expanded to provide online lectures for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) and school English subjects to 400 low-income middle and high school students in the area who are struggling with their studies due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Students can use English Naesin E-dot (EBS school subject lectures), Dankkeut (English vocabulary), and Bspeek (basic conversation) for free.

In particular, the eligibility criteria have been expanded to households with income below 120% of the median income, allowing all grades of middle and high school students as well as repeat test-takers to participate. Applications are accepted through local community centers, welfare centers, integrated case managers, and school principal recommendations.

Students who participated in last year’s classes responded positively, saying, “I couldn’t afford it financially, so I was hesitant, but I’m glad I can study like this,” and “I dreamed of an environment where I could study without feeling self-conscious. I’m thankful.” Students wishing to apply can extend their classes for one more year this year.

Meanwhile, Dshare, headquartered in Songpa-gu, operates brands such as A-dot, Bspeek, Dankkeut, and Carry Home, producing various English education contents and continuously practicing social contribution as a startup company.

Jae-min Jeong, CEO of Dshare, said, “I am pleased to provide educational sharing opportunities to Songpa-gu students who have a passion for learning.”

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “We will create an environment where students who are experiencing confusion due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic can study freely,” and added, “Based on Songpa SSEM (Songpa Smart Education Model), we will proactively respond to the post-COVID-19 era, expand learning opportunities, and take the lead in realizing future-oriented creative education.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.