Enhancing Effectiveness with Level-Based Courses and Customized Education... Great Help for Japanese Marriage Immigrant Women's Adaptation to Korean Life
"Hangeul Day is a Wonderful Day!"... Activities as Bilingual Instructors and Volunteers
Minegishi Yoko (37, Garak-dong), who is in her 11th year of marriage this year, left her life in Japan and came to Korea last July. Her entire family relocated due to her husband's job change, and two months later, they settled in Songpa-gu, where her in-laws live.
Living with unfamiliar people in an unfamiliar land was not easy. Above all, she was not familiar with the language, so there were few things she could do. Her career as an office worker inevitably came to a halt.
Then, in October last year, she learned about the Korean language course at the Songpa-gu Family Center and began taking classes. She said, "Through the education, I came to appreciate the charm of Hangeul," adding, "Even everyday phrases like 'Have you eaten?' and 'Have a nice day' contain consideration and kindness," expressing her love for Hangeul.
Her love for Hangeul led to studying Korean. After obtaining Level 6 in the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), she found a new job as a bilingual instructor at the center in May this year. On days without classes, she actively expands her enjoyment of Korean life by promoting the neighborhood on social media or volunteering with knitting.
In this way, Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced on the 7th that over the past three years, 11,133 marriage immigrants have received Korean language education at the center and have been supported in settling in Korea.
The number of marriage immigrants in Songpa-gu has been increasing, with 1,483 in 2019, 1,503 in 2021, and 1,558 in 2023.
Accordingly, the district focuses on level-based education to help marriage immigrants effectively learn Korean. Unlike foreign language learners who stay temporarily and then return to their home countries, marriage immigrants need to establish Korea as their permanent home.
The center's Korean language education consists of six courses, including ▲‘Local Culture Korean (levels 1 to 4)’ based on cultural understanding of Seoul and Songpa, and ▲‘Employment and Entrepreneurship Korean’ necessary for obtaining TOPIK and employment. The courses are offered year-round from February to December so that anyone who enters mid-year can receive education.
Through step-by-step education, it not only improves communication skills but also enhances employment capabilities, providing practical help for adapting to life in Korea.
Korean language education opened a second life for Minegishi Yoko as well. She said, "My family, who worried that I might not adapt well to Korea, now feels reassured and sends me a lot of support," adding, "Since the Korean language education, Hangeul Day has become a truly wonderful day for me. I hope to share the charm of Hangeul and the Korean language with more foreigners in the future."
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "The number of multicultural households and marriage immigrants in Songpa-gu ranks fifth in Seoul," and added, "We will continue to strive to support foreign residents by discovering various policies so that they can find new lives and opportunities in Songpa-gu."
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