Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, on November 3, 2006 announced a plan to introduce an English immersion program in elementary, middle and high schools in Jeju Free International City (JFIC) and the other free economic zones of Incheon, Busan, Jinhae and Gwangyang. Under the program, which will start in 2008, students in those regions will take regular school subjects such as math and science in English. 
     As we know, the term immersion program came to mushroom in Canada during the 1960s to describe innovative programs in which French was used as a medium of instructions for elementary school students whose native language was English. There were 2 types of immersion program, total immersion and partial immersion, In total immersion, 100% of schooling was conducted in French from kindergarten through highschool. In partial immersion, 50% of the students’ classes was conducted in French from the start. The goals of the immersion program were to develop functional proficiency in French, to develop English language skills commensurate with expectations for student's age and abilities, to master content area skills and concepts, and to  gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the culture of French language group.
      Many academic studies on immersion education show that French immersion programs have achieved success in carrying out such goals. Then, it is our concern that such a type of immersion program can be well implemented in Korea, where English is taught as a foreign language, not as a second language. That is to say, can English immersion program be effectively provided in JFIC, in which the regular school curriculum is taught through the medium of English?
      Needless to say, the ministry's plan, if it is well put into practice, will surely help the students pick up English more naturally in Jeju where students or people have to covey what they intend effectively in English when they communicate with foreign investors or visitors who come to Jeju Island. However, we have many things to do in order for the English immersion program to be implemented in primary and secondary schools here in Jeju. 
      First, it is urgent to train qualified teachers who can teach math and science in English. Here qualified teachers are Korean primary or secondary school teachers who can teach well math and science both in Korean and English. In other words, they should teach school subjects effectively in the classroom, by using English and Korean, and at the same time they must have a better understanding of English and Korean cultures. To bring up such competent bilinguals, it is advisable to open a new teacher-training course in immersion programs in Jeju National University of Education. 
     Second, the textbooks of math and science which the students use in schools should be translated into English. Immersion students or non-immersion students should follow the same curriculum set down by Provincial Board or Ministry of Education. Only the language of instruction should be different.  
     Third, parent and community support are required to implement the successful immersion programs in Jeju. Parents of immersion students, if their children are determined to join the immersion program, should help their immersion schools carry out their programs successfully. Jeju Board of Education or Jeju Provincial Government should support the immersion programs to be effectively fulfilled. Their support must include the financial aid as well as administrative help.
     Fourth, Ministry of Education should clarify how to successfully practice the immersion programs to be planned in Jeju. For example, we would like to know the immersion programs will be introduced in what grade of elementary school and how elementary trained teachers who are fluent in English will be recruited.              
      Finally, to discuss all about English immersion programs in JFIC, we suggest a tentatively named organization,  “Immersion Program Implementation Committee in JFIC” who is composed of professors, primary and secondary teachers, parents, and superintendent of Office of Education and governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.