I have often heard the seemingly absurd statement, "I can't do math because I'm bad at Korean." This is a real issue in educational settings. Students often fail to solve math problems because they can't comprehend the questions. This problem is not confined to math alone. I heard of a student who got only one question wrong on a history exam, and it turned out that was simply because the student didn’t understand the meaning of the words in the question. In such cases, the student hasn't really made a mistake in the history test but rather in the Korean one. Thus, while Korean is studied for its own sake, it also serves as a tool for other subjects. At this time, the term "tool subject" refers to a subject that serves as a basic means for learning other subjects. However, the basic proficiency level in Korean, which is a tool subject, has been declining every year.

According to the "2023 National Academic Achievement Assessment" by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, the proportion of third-year middle school students achieving an average or above level in Korean fell from 84.7% in 2017 to 61.2% last year. For second-year high school students, the proportion dropped from 75.1% in 2017 to 52.1% last year. Consequently, about half of the middle and high school students in Korea do not meet the average proficiency standards in Korean.

So why is it that students' proficiency in Korean, a critically important tool subject in education, is falling short of average proficiency standards? This decline is closely related to the diminishing reading culture among students. Instead of reading books, students are more immersed in smartphones and computers because they find them easier and more entertaining. Reading books introduces many new vocabulary words, improving vocabulary naturally, something that short videos or games on smartphones cannot replace. Although smartphones and computers could potentially aid Korean learning if used appropriately, it is worth noting that some countries prohibit their use in schools altogether.

Another significant reason for the decline in reading education and culture is the college entrance exam system. Most parents, as well as students, want their children to get accepted into a top university in Seoul, preferably into a prestigious department that guarantees a promising career. This naturally makes them keenly attentive to college entrance exams. As a result, due to the immediate need for high scores, they tend to overlook the importance of reading education, which shows results more slowly.

Still, one more reason for the decline in Korean proficiency is the impracticality of composition education. The Korean curriculum includes sub-subjects like Korean, literature, composition, and reading. Sometimes, composition, a sub-subject, can be an elective depending on the school's circumstances. That means some high school students might only receive composition education for one or two semesters. The problem is that just one or two semesters of composition education are not enough to significantly improve vocabulary, a fundamental aspect of Korean education.

Fundamentally, Korean education should start at home. Encouraging children to read books rather than watch TV or use smartphones from an early age is beneficial, although it is challenging in reality. A compromise might be to allow children to read fairy tales or poetry books with some conditions, once they have developed a basic ability to read and understand text.

Dictation practiced in elementary schools is also an excellent method for improving vocabulary. It would be ideal for students to naturally learn spacing rules at this time. Additionally, guiding students to write short essays frequently can greatly enhance vocabulary and literacy skills. Encouraging them to keep a diary is also a very effective method. Once diary writing becomes a habit, teachers should persistently and systematically guide students to develop the skill to fill four to five pages of manuscript paper with their writings. Consistent practice without interruption is key to improving both composition skills and literacy. Literacy does not improve quickly or easily. Only through consistent and planned practice can we expect significant results. Remember, proficiency in Korean is a measure of proficiency in all subjects.