MOF to Provide Opportunities for Language Training in New Zealand for the Youth in Fishing Villages

- Recruiting participants starting May 20… Providing regular classes and cultural experience opportunities in middle and high schools in New Zealand

  The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it would be providing language training opportunities in New Zealand to children of fishermen in fishing villages starting Tuesday, May 20 as part of the Korea-New Zealand Fisheries Cooperation Project.

 As a program that has been implemented since 2016 following the conclusion of the Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), The project provides opportunities for English training and cultural experience in New Zealand to children of fishermen living in fishing villages—where educational infrastructure is relatively poor and opportunities to be exposed to foreign language are fewer—with the costs of the training to be defrayed with government funds.

 Applicants must be children of fishermen who have lived in a fishing village for more than one year, who meet the criteria for taking English classes, and who are current students (8th through 11th grades) recommended by the school principal. Applications can be submitted through the program’s website (2025어촌지역청소년.kr).

 Trainees’ qualifications will be evaluated through document review and personality and aptitude assessments, and the successful candidates will be finally selected through interviews and draws.

 Students who are finally selected will participate in the regular curriculum at local schools in New Zealand for four weeks starting July and will have the opportunity to experience various global cultures. In particular, the program plans to operate the first week of training as an intensive English education period to improve students’ academic achievement.

 “This program will greatly help participating students develop language skills and global capabilities and explore their future career paths. I hope that many children of interested fishermen will apply,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.