Learning and perfecting one’s English-speaking abilities have always been a never-ending task for many South Koreans. Korea University (KU) has a long and proud history of its own traditional English-learning clubs that are still popular among students today. AKFN Listener’s Club (ALC) is one student organization that not only provides such a learning opportunity for students, but also motivates them to better their abilities and reach advanced goals by participating in weekly study sessions and even preparing them for other students.

ALC conducts various English- learning programs for students who are willing to get more familiar with conversational English. The club first started in 1973 as a study group that gathered people to learn English by listening to American Forces Korea Network (AFKN), a broadcasting channel operated by the United States Armed Forces’ American Forces Radio and Television Service. Due to such history, there are now many branches of ALC operating throughout various universities in South Korea. ALC operated as a union of three universities (Korea University, Yonsei University, and Ewha Womans University) from 1974 to 1975, but it began operating as individual branches from 1976 onwards.

Regular Sessions at Korea University

ALC has regular study sessions every Wednesday. The club divides its members into two study groups: a speaking-centered group and a listening- centered group. The speaking-centered group opens debates about simple yet important topics in society. Sometimes they also discuss such issues through presentations. The listening-centered group listens to short video clips, such as news broadcasts or English educational programs, and talks about them together. For members who want additional learning opportunities, they are able to team up to practice their speaking skills through separate speaking studies every Friday.

Starting from last semester, ALC members have also formed another study session for the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) test. This was a rather new type of session implemented in ALC, as many students started to get worried about employment opportunities and procedures. There is no set time or date for these session; members simply gather sporadically but help each other and work rigorously to increase their scores. This extra study group allows students to enjoy club activities and prepare for their future within the same organization.

Making Lasting Connections

After each session, the team members head off to dinner and occasionally drink as well. This is usually where they discuss their study groups’ progress and build friendly relationships with each other in a more casual setting. ALC members also have a club room for members to relax and socialize in. There are other events such as Snack Day, Homecoming Day, touring Kyeongbok Palace in Hanboks in the summer, and Halloween parties in the fall to keep the members energetic in between their regular study sessions.

Members even have reunions and friendly outings during the holidays. The president of ALC, Nam Yun Mi recalled “going to the screening of the film ‘The King’s Letters’ during last year’s summer holidays.” The film was directed by a club alumnus, so the members, at the time, had gone to congratulate him with other senior members. Nam shares that the group enjoyed dinner afterwards and shared their thoughts about the movie. New members will also be given such opportunities to meet new alumni and share memorable times during the semester and the holidays.

Sessions with Yonsei University

ALC conducts conjoined English studying sessions with Yonsei University every month to foster collaboration as well as a sense of friendly competition between the two universities’ club members. The two clubs also attend the universities’ annual events as well, such as the annual Ko-Yeon games, cheering events, and even Korea University’s Ipselenti Jiya—Hamsung. After getting to know each other through these rather formal gatherings, all students go on membership training (MT) together to discuss their ideas about upcoming events.

Yonsei University’s AKFN Listener’s Club members are mostly international or exchange students, unlike the member composition of KU’s ALC. Thus, such conjoined sessions allow members of KU’s ALC to enhance their English-speaking skills naturally by getting to know each other through English-only conversations. Nam shared, “During a Halloween party with Yonsei University’s ALC last year, an international student won a costume competition dressed up as a ghost bride. We gave him a bottle of tequila as a prize but ended up drinking it altogether.” Such events demonstrate the organizations’ well-maintained friendly relationship.

Becoming a Member of ALC

ALC has currently delayed their regular sessions and MT because of the unusual circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The regular sessions will soon be prepared online. “It is unfortunate that we will not be able to carry on with the many activities we have prepared, but the health of our members always comes first,” explained Nam. “We are looking forward to seeing some new faces when school starts again, when hopefully everyone is healthy and ready to participate.”

AKFN Listener’s Club welcomes all students who want to practice speaking English freely and enjoy extracurricular activities away from regular university courses. Nam hopes to create a comfortable atmosphere for members to participate freely in enhancing their skills. ALC’s recruitment starts in the beginning of the March and September semesters each year. They collect a semester fee from applicants and start off their one-semester-long journey of studying English.