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Individual Efforts Can Lead to Significant Change

On July 31, a group of 11 Korean language professors, who had completed a visiting professor assignment at a university abroad, with support from the Foundation, or those who were awaiting their dispatch, gathered at the Conference Room of the Korea Foundation to discuss their teaching experiences and program-related matters. The meeting was also attended by Foundation executives and staff, including Executive Vice President Joon K. Park, Korean Language Department Director In Sung-kee, Korean Language Department Assistant Director Chung Hanuk, and Korean Studies Department Director Suh Ah-jeong.

Rewarding Experiences
Of the Korea Foundation’s various programs and activities, support for Korean language education and Korean Studies has remained a top priority over the years. After having supported the dispatch of more than 40 Korean language professors to universities in 25 countries, the Foundation hosted this gathering, the first of its kind, to listen to the personal experiences of program participants and to discuss ways of more effectively implementing efforts to support Korean language education worldwide. In his opening remarks, Executive Vice President Park expressed the Foundation’s sincere appreciation for the diligent efforts and sacrifices of the professors, despite various program challenges, including an often difficult work environment and limited compensation.
Among the participants, Professor Park Young-suk, who was dispatched to Babes-Bolyai University, of Romania, recalled her reaction when she arrived on campus in October 2005. She realized that it would be necessary to proceed one step at a time, since there was no basic curriculum or equipment in place, nor any publicity about the availability of Korean language courses. Since most of the Romanian students in the Korean language courses decided to study Korean because of their interest in Korea, Professor Park not only taught the Korean classes but also organized cultural activities, including weekly sessions on calligraphy and tea ceremony, along with making presentations on Korean culture and history that utilized visual materials. Over time, these conscientious efforts reaped fruitful results that enabled the Korean language section to develop into a Korean Cultural Center.
As for Professor Lee Yun-phyo, who was assigned to Beijing International Studies University in September 2006, he noted that the agreement bet-ween the Foundation and the host university was especially important. He explained that the program agreement between the two institutions contributed to an enhanced relationship at the university since working conditions, like office space or housing accommodations, were outlined in writing. Noting that he experienced difficulty because he could not properly understand Chinese during the first three months of his stay, despite having learned the language prior to his visit to China, Professor Lee emphasized the importance of being familiar with the local language for instructing students.
Professor Jeon Mun-i, who had been dispatched to Yerevan State Linguistic University in Armenia, said she spent some time wondering about the role of a visiting professor because of the different local circumstances of a particular region. In her case, there were only four Koreans in the region, while Korean was a non-credit subject because a department of Korean language had not yet been established. She thus suggested that the Foundation should consult closely with related universities on the scope of a visiting professor’s assignment in detail to prevent such problems. Professor Jeon expressed a need for two-way exchange, under which Korean instructors introduce Korean culture through Korean language courses and also learn the local language and culture, to more successfully promote Korean language education around the globe. She also cited a need to regularly motivate and retrain Korean language instructors.


Promoting Korea and its Culture
After presentations by the visiting professors who had completed their assignment, the professors who are now preparing for their dispatch to overseas universities had the chance to ask questions and receive input from the former program participants. Professor Jeon Hye-suk, who is being dispatched to Hanoi University of Foreign Studies, in Vietnam, in September expressed her opinion that use of the local language should be limited in Korean classes, and also wondered about whether there was a need to pay attention to the financial situation of students or related factors to prevent a reduction in the scale of a Korean language department.
Professor Kim Joo-hee, who was assigned to Ain Shams University in Egypt, stated that continued support was necessary because Korean language programs had not taken root firmly enough to be maintained like English or French programs, which were offered as long as there were interested students. She also believed that students could learn Korean more easily when it was taught in comparison with the local languages, and therefore suggested flexible use of the local language, by country, and that different teaching methods, by level, would also be helpful.
In addition, there was a question about discussions with university authorities to enhance the status of Korean language programs, particularly in regard to having credit courses and integrating Korean courses into the regular curriculum. Professor Park Young-suk (Babes-Bolyai University) noted that such efforts should be regularly made. In her case, the Korean Studies section was upgraded to a Korean Cultural Center because the university sensed the need for a different approach and accepted the fact that it would be more effective to promote Korea and its culture rather than the Korean language alone.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Executive Vice President Park remarked: “I know that some people think the Foundation’s program to send visiting professors to overseas universities is a waste of resources, but you have proven that this is not the case. It may difficult and require sacrifice to be a pioneer in promoting education of the Korean language abroad, but I would like to call on you to do your best and not to be restrained in your role as a visiting professor, while keeping in mind that the efforts of individuals can lead to significant change over the long term.” Following the meeting, the participants had an opportunity to enjoy lunch together and develop personal relationships amidst an informal atmosphere.

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