The Ministry of Education (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Kim, Sang-kon) and the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (Chairman Seo Eun-kyeong) organize "The 3rd Free Semester Class Concert" from August 1st to 3rd at The K-Hotel in Seoul. The first concert was held in 2016.

The "Free Semester Class Concert" has been held every summer for all teachers across the country to exchange and share exemplary cases of the Free Semester programs.

The theme of this year's concert is "Everyone's wishes, happy sharing, an invitation to the Free Semester Classes."

In the concert, best practices of the Free Semester recommended by the heads of local education offices are shared.

Around 3,000 pre-registered and on-site registered teachers have participated in this concert by attending demo classes, and discussed with Class Meisters on pedagogy and classroom experiences.

Each session will be filmed as a video and posted on ggoomggi.go.kr. Also, every day, one class will be streamed on the Facebook page of the Ministry of Education so that it can be shared with other teachers who have not been able to participate in the concert.

The outline of the 3rd Free Semester Class Concert streamed on the Ministry of Education Facebook page

[1st day] Demo class of an award winner: Shin Sujeong (Kyonggi Dongtan Middle School social sciences classes teacher)

"Is the place we are living in a city or a village?", "Beginning the class with questions," "Analyzing statistics data in Korea through an immobility investment game," "Sharing a demonstration class by deducing space structure of the city and comparing monthly rents and profits."

[2nd class] Class recommended by the Free Semester-related educational material writers and local education offices: Kim Seonhee (Seoul Myongil Middle School Korean class teacher)

Discussing and linking the discussion with essay writing on various subjects like "What crimes were the characters in Honggildong's Tale accused of?", "Do we really need private education in Korea?", "Are we allowed to use cellphones in school?", "Does reunification on the Korean Peninsula have a positive impact on us?, etc.

[3rd day] Classes recommended by local edcuation offices: Han Kyunghwa (Chungnam Cheonan Dongsung Middle School teacher)

Mind-growing discussion class, writing class that leads to writing a book "Dreaming of becoming a writer", project class on unification of curricula-class-evaluation- notes.

This year, the operation hours of the sessions have been expanded and there have been separate sessions installed so that parents and principals can participate.

First, the operating hours of the sessions have been expanded so that participants can share various classes and evaluation methods and have more time communicating.

Besides, to respond to the parents who are interested in the Free Semester Classes, and to deepen their understanding, parents can now directly participate in the classes recommended by local education offices.

In addition, it was suggested that the intention of the principals of schools is important to diminish the hap between schools and to better operate the Free Semester. Therefore, a session called, "Free Semester Stories told by Principals" has been set up.

Besides, to emphasize communication with teachers, special lectures where the demands of the teachers are applied, research schools and research clubs of teachers, communicating talk concerts and more, have been installed.

Also, around 130 documents that the Ministry of Education and the Cooperation Center for the Free Semesters have prepared and have been exhibited and provided to teachers who have participated in the class concert.

An award ceremony will also be held for the teachers who win prizes.

Vice Minister of Education Park Chun-ran said, "The 3rd Free Semester Class Concert is plating a big role to contribute to a culture where the leaders of innovative education, the teachers, can communicate," thanking the teachers for their efforts, she added, "We will do our best so that education innovation like the Free Semesters and change in the classroom will become a pleasant experience for all."

*unofficial translation