"Venture like Robinson Crusoe" - Insights from International TOSEL Committee Chairman Hoyeol Lee’s Global CEO Lecture

On September 21st, Korea University's Business School (Dean= Sangyong Kim) hosted a Global CEO Lecture (hereinbelow lecture) in Room 303 of the Hyundai Motor Hall. The guest speaker for the day was Mr. Hoyeol Lee, the Chairman of the International TOSEL Committee and the author of 'Academic TOEFL.' TOSEL is a native English proficiency certification exam system jointly developed by the International TOSEL Committee and KU International Language Institute in 2002. The lecture covered topics such as △ Introduction to Mr. Lee’s career △ Introduction to TOSEL △ Q&A Session. 

First, Mr. Hoyeol Lee majored in law at Korea University, completing his master's and doctoral programs in law. He became the first Korean to earn a doctorate in domestic copyright law. His journey into English education began when he started teaching English for the bar exam at a law school to support his tuition. This led to an opportunity to develop English teaching materials. After that, he completed the 'Academic TOEFL,' which gained immense popularity and was often referred to as the "Bible of University English." from the 1980s to the early 2000s. 

At that time, recognizing the need for a native English test tailored to the Korean context besides TOEIC and TOEFL, Mr. Lee took the initiative. In 2002, he established the 'International TOSEL Committee' and collaborated with the Korean College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) question-writing committee and KU International Language Institute to develop 'TOSEL’. He emphasized, "A proper English assessment system is essential for the development of English education in Korea, which, in turn, contributes to the country's competitiveness." Currently, more than 15,000 public and private educational institutions utilize TOSEL as an assessment tool. Chairman Lee explained, "Unlike the existing English proficiency exam systems, TOSEL offers different question types and difficulty levels tailored for elementary, middle, high school, and university students." 

Furthermore, Chairman Lee emphasized the importance of fostering skills in data analysis and human resources, aligning them with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He encouraged students to cultivate their abilities for communication actively while acquiring skills in data analysis and computer languages. He stated, "In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, having an attitude of self-explore, similar to Robinson Crusoe on a deserted island is crucial." 

The lecture concluded with a Q&A session and career advice. Chairman Lee emphasized, "A strong desire for your dreams becomes the driving force to overcome obstacles and challenges. Having passion and consistent effort towards your goals is the key."