李主聖博士

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 we use them to uplift those in need, we feel deep joy, build meaningful relationships, and strengthen communities. This belief was shaped by volunteer work across 10+ regions, including Cambodia, Mongolia, and Thailand, since 2000, where I witnessed how lifelong, lifewide, and informal learning can transform young lives.

Inspired by these experiences and the spirit of the Korean word "아이들" (aideul, meaning "children"), I introduced the concept of Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) in 2018. IDLE promotes a fundamentally different approach: intuitive, curiosity-based learning, where learners raise their own "why" questions, learning and play merge, and every failure becomes a discovery. It creates a natural space 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 been translated into 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 schools, universities, 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 brief time on earth.