KF뉴스레터-Popularity of Korean Language Spreads throughout the U.S.

Popularity of Korean Language Spreads throughout the U.S.

From July 22-24, I participated in the annual academic conference and workshop of the American Association of Teachers of Korean (AATK), which was held at Princeton University and Rutgers University. This is the only regular conference held for Korean-language teachers in the U.S. This year marked the AATK's 11th conference and well revealed the impressive progress and fruitful development that Korean education has realized in New Jersey. The conference was held at two separate venues: Princeton University and then Rutgers University. Having the proceedings at two venues provided an opportunity for participants to experience the respective atmospheres and also added to the interest of the conference sessions.

Widespread Popularity of Korean
Early on, education of the Korean language was concentrated mainly in California, New York, and other areas with large Korean-American communities. But it has now spread throughout the entire American continent. In line with this, the AATK has become an influential institution that serves as a valuable focal point for Korean professors, lecturers, and post-graduates from all over the country. This point alone well reflects how Korean-language education in the U.S., as compared to its original purpose of being primarily intended for Korean-American students, has since developed into a major foreign language being taught in America.
This year's conference attracted the attendance of some 100 members, professors, and students. Notable non-Korean professors included Ross King and Bruce Fulton (University of British Columbia), Ebru Turker (University of Pittsburgh), and Mark Peterson (Brigham Young University). Professor Peterson of State University of New York, along with Professor Cho Sung-Dai of Binghamton University and Ms. Jung In-sook of the Education Testing Service, participated in a joint presentation entitled "Korean as a World Language." Of note, this presentation outlined a blueprint for Korean education and described ways to enhance the cohesiveness of Korean instruction programs among elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as the efforts to encourage the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language to further promote the status of the Korean language.

Passion of Korean-language Educators
The conference served as a useful venue for professors and students from all over North America to gather together. Naturally, at every break and mealtime, the participants were busy exchanging opinions and information. Some teachers inquired about the latest instructional textbooks. Younger teachers talked about their problems with more experienced teachers. And others went around in search of teaching tips. All of them seemed to share a great passion for their work. At times, they thanked me for the Korea Foundation's provision of support for Korean studies programs and the distribution of Korean books and video content.
At this year's session, Professor Young-mi Y. Cho of Rutgers University was elected to a three-year term of the AATK presidency, along with the appointment of new association executives. The venue universities that will host the next three years of annual conferences and workshops were also decided.
This conference served as an opportunity for me to confirm the current status of the AATK and the role that it plays in promoting Korean education in the U.S. We should sincerely appreciate that the development of Korean-language education in the U.S. today is due to the personal efforts and commitment of the first-generation of Korean educators. The current generation, who is now taking over from the previous generation, is working even harder to a more improved situation. For this, I heartily congratulate all of those who worked so strenuously to make this conference a success, including former association President Wang Hye-sook, Professor Kim Gwee-sook of Princeton University, Professor Young-mi Y. Cho of Rutgers University, and all the Korean teachers. "Thank you all, you're doing a great job"