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. Using them to uplift others creates deep joy and builds a brighter world. This belief was forged through volunteering across 10+ regions like Cambodia, Mongolia, and Thailand since 2000, where I witnessed firsthand how lifelong, lifewide, and informal learning can transform young lives and entire communities.

Inspired by these experiences and the Korean word "아이들" (aideul, meaning "children"), I introduced the Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) concept in 2018. IDLE encourages learners to explore and use digital spaces to learn English naturally and creatively, much like children discover their world. Research across 10+ regions shows that IDLE is linked to positive outcomes in over 20 areas, from enjoyment and growth mindset to academic achievement and speaking.

Since 2020, we've partnered with Indonesian teachers to co-design and implement IDLE-based social impact projects, reaching 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 aims to develop both language and life skills while inspiring learners to serve others—creating ripples of positive change that endure beyond our belief time on earth.