Pocheon City Launches Nation’s First Integrated Model of Korean Language School and Self-Directed Learning Center

Pocheon City Holds 2025 Pocheon Gyeonggi Korean Language School Entrance Ceremony

Pocheon City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Younghyun) held the "2025 Pocheon Gyeonggi Korean Language School Entrance Ceremony" at Daejin University Daejin Education Hall on November 18, officially launching the nation’s first integrated education model that combines Korean language education for children who have entered Korea mid-way and a self-directed learning center.

Baek Younghyun, Mayor of Pocheon, is delivering a welcome speech at the "2025 Pocheon Gyeonggi Korean Language School Entrance Ceremony" held at Daejin University Daejin Education Hall on the 18th. Provided by Pocheon City

The entrance ceremony was attended by Baek Younghyun, Mayor of Pocheon; Lim Taehee, Superintendent of Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education; Kim Yooyeol, President of Korea Educational Broadcasting System (EBS); Jang Seokhwan, President of Daejin University; So Seongsuk, Head of Pocheon Office of Education; as well as over 150 students, parents, teachers, and representatives from multicultural organizations, all celebrating the launch of the new educational model.

Pocheon City, in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, introduced an "integrated education model" that links the Pocheon-style self-directed learning center program to the Korean Language School curriculum. Under this model, students first complete basic Korean language learning before entering public education, and then strengthen their individual foundational academic skills through the self-directed learning center. This approach is designed to help children who have entered Korea mid-way adapt smoothly to public education and minimize learning gaps.

In addition, National Assemblyman Kim Yongtae is contributing to the nationwide expansion of the Pocheon model by sponsoring a bill to institutionalize the pre-enrollment system for the Korean Language School.

This year, the language school welcomed about 20 students from 11 countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines. The entrance ceremony featured student introductions, an oath of admission, commemorative photos, and a celebratory performance by the Samulnori troupe from Jeonggyo Elementary School, creating a moment of unity for multicultural students and the local community.

Baek Younghyun, Mayor of Pocheon, stated, "We have completed the first integrated learning model in the nation so that children who have entered Korea mid-way can open a new future here in Pocheon," adding, "Pocheon will continue to set a new standard for reducing educational gaps and for multicultural public education."

Attendees including Baek Younghyun, Mayor of Pocheon, are taking a commemorative photo at the "2025 Pocheon Gyeonggi Korean Language School Entrance Ceremony" held on the 18th at Daejin University Daejin Education Hall. Provided by Pocheon City

To ensure safe commuting for students, Pocheon City is providing the "Pouri Bus," operated based on the Edu Road project, to the language school. The Pouri Bus is an educational support vehicle that helps students travel between educational facilities operated by the city. Since its introduction in the Pocheon area in March this year, many students have used it after school. By deploying it for the language school, the city has created an environment where multicultural students can participate in the learning center safely and reliably.

Building on this integrated learning model, Pocheon City plans to present a new standard for multicultural education and systematically support each student’s foundational learning and school adaptation, further strengthening its foundation as an educational city.