李主圣博士

Ju Seong Lee (李主聖), Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

I believe our greatest gifts—time and talent—are meant to be shared. When used to uplift those in need, they bring deep joy and help build a brighter world. This belief was shaped by my experiences volunteering across 10+ regions, including Cambodia, Mongolia, and Thailand, since 2000, where I witnessed how lifelong, lifewide, and informal learning can transform young lives and communities.

Inspired by these experiences and the spirit of the Korean word "아이들" (aideul, meaning "children"), I introduced the Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) concept in 2018. IDLE champions a fundamentally different approach: learning that is intuitive and curiosity-based, where learners raise their own "why" questions, learning and play become one, and every failure is a new discovery. This creates a natural environment for exploration, free from the constraints of rigid, adult-designed systems. Research across 10+ regions shows that IDLE is linked to positive outcomes in over 20 areas, from enjoyment and growth mindset to speaking confidence.

Since 2020, these findings have translated into concrete partnerships with Indonesian teachers to co-design and implement IDLE-based social impact projects, reaching over 2,800 students. These initiatives continue to grow through collaborations with universities, schools, NGOs, industry partners, and governments across Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Global South. At its heart, this work is about nurturing both language and life skills, while inspiring learners to serve others—sowing seeds of hope that endure beyond our fleeting time on earth.