Designing Subject, Function, Context, and Technology as 'Content System Dominant Elements'
"Declaration of Korean Language Teaching and Learning Goals as a Foreign Language, Significant Meaning"
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language announced on the 27th that they have established the 'Standard Korean Language Curriculum' which can be applied and adapted in various educational settings.
This is a top-level curriculum designed with 'content system dominant elements' such as topics, functions, contexts, skills, and strategies that gauge the level of Korean communication. It describes the goals and achievement standards of the curriculum. It is classified into six levels and presents detailed objectives for listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
The establishment reflects perspectives of multilingualism and interculturalism, focusing on use in diverse linguistic and cultural environments. An official stated, "Recently, the number of countries adopting Korean language courses, such as India, Russia, and Vietnam, has increased," adding, "Based on requests from each government, we are supporting the development of curricula and teaching materials that reflect local language, culture, and education policies."
In the case of India, which adopted Korean as a second foreign language subject in secondary schools last July, the National Institute of the Korean Language is developing a Korean language curriculum. The official said, "It can be used as a standard in developing special curricula, teaching materials, and evaluation systems tailored to diverse learner characteristics."
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language previously developed a standard model based on the 2010 'Research on the Development of an Internationally Applicable Korean Language Standard Model.' It has been widely utilized by comparing and referencing the content and composition of language curricula in Europe, the United States, and other regions.
The current 'Standard Korean Language Curriculum' is a subsequent research outcome. In the first half of this year, a study involving Korean language education experts was conducted, and in July, various opinions were collected and the content was refined. An official stated, "It is significant in that it declares, for the first time institutionally, the goal of teaching and learning Korean as a foreign or second language," adding, "We will support diverse curricula and teaching materials suited to Korean language demand regions, cultures, and language zones."
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