Help North Korean Refugees Learn English

When North Korean refugees arrive in South Korea, they often experience difficulty adjusting to and creating a new life in South Korea. One potentially large barrier is an inability to speak English, taught to all students in South Korea from an early age, and often required in order to gain access to both work and study opportunities. Teach North Korean Refugees (TNKR) is an NGO that provides free English tutoring by volunteer tutors to refugees that wish to study English but may not otherwise have access to the resources necessary to do so. All funds raised go directly to TNKR to be used to support their mission.

In November 2016, the Ministry of Unification in South Korea reported that the number of North Korean refugees escaping to South Korea had surpassed 30,000. Various media report various challenges that refugees face in adjusting to South Korea. An estimated 35 percent of refugees are unemployed, 80 percent work in menial jobs, and refugees who are employed earn 50% of what South Koreans earn.

Escaping North Korea is the first battle many refugees face. Many report that English is a major barrier for many of them, as they struggle with "Konglish" words that have seeped into the South Korean language. TNKR helps refugees by connecting them with volunteer tutors. Since its founding in March 2013, TNKR has connected 315 refugees with more than 650 volunteer tutors and coaches.