Mathematical modeling of the 3∶5∶4 Initiative - refocusing tertiary EFL resources in Korea

Korean society, recognizing the importance of English as a Global Language, places considerable emphasis on raising the general level of English ability. Korean tertiary students are required to study English as a Foreign Language (EFL), but critical real-world constraints emerge: significant numbers of Korean Learners of English (KLOE) are unmotivated and/or have low aptitude; and there are limited resources with which to teach students English. As an alternative to addressing the political dimension of these issues - which means continue to prove ineffectual in resolving the challenges faced - I advance the 3:5:4 Initiative, which provides for a more effective use of resources. The overall level of English in Korean society could be raised through improving educational output. Firstly a qualitative, and then a quantitative restructuring of relative resource deployment is made. The need for such optimization is evident as the global economy suffers a serious period of recession, while the quality of English demanded from Korean graduates rises. Working from first principles, a straightforward mathematical model is developed of the relative proportioning of deployment of resources. The efficacy of resource deployment under two alternative scenarios indicates significant potential gains in efficiency in educational value.