메인메뉴 바로가기본문으로 바로가기
네이버 공유 카카오 공유 트위터 공유 페이스북 공유

Enthusiasm for Learning Korean Sweeps across India

Under a theme of “Teaching Methodology of Korean Language Education for Indian Learners,” the fourth Workshop for Korean Language Educators in India was held at the School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University. The participants’ high level of enthusiasm which was displayed throughout the event is a reflection of the keen interest for learning Korean in India.



With support from the Korea Foundation, the recent Workshop for Korean Language Educators in India was organized by the Indian Association of Korean Language Educators (AKLEI). It opened with welcoming remarks by Kim Do-young, Professor of the University of Delhi and co-president of the association, followed by congratulatory remarks by Kang Jeong-sik of the Korean Embassy in New Delhi. Thereafter, Professor Vaishna Narang, Center for Linguistics, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), gave a keynote presentation on instructional methodology for teaching of the Korean language to Indian learners. In addition, JNU Professor Vyjayanti Raghavan, co-president of the AKLEI, expressed her appreciation for the attendance and efforts of workshop participants.

Practical Korean Language Education
This annual workshop event, now in its fourth year, strives to advance Korean language education in India by helping to facilitate information exchange between Korean language scholars and educators, in regard to course content and classroom methods, along with offering learner-oriented education. At this year’s workshop, 20 educators presented their research findings on various topics, including methodology, cultural education, textbooks, and Korean language grammar, as well as the endeavors to strengthen Korean language instruction in regional areas. The participants discussed a variety of practical matters ranging from conversation to reading and translation, along with close attention being paid to the methods for using Hindi to teach Korean.
The participants also described their teaching experiences related to such areas as typical errors by teachers and students in the classroom, the use of role-playing for more active learning, and matters related to the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). In India, recent developments in Korean language education include a growing trend toward specialization, along with a dramatic rise in student demand, as a result of the conclusion of a Korea-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Under this favorable backdrop, the workshop event served as a timely occasion to further the efforts to systemize the qualitative aspects of Korean language education.

Surging Demand to Learn Korean
In addition to discussion sessions, Korean language educators introduced the efforts to promote Korean language instruction in regions outside of Delhi. This included presentations by educators of Jadavpur University in Kolkata and Magadh University in Bodhgaya about how their Korean language programs are beginning to take root.
The Inko center in Chennai has seen a surge in demand for Korean education because of the recent advance of Korean business enterprises into the region. In addition, KIIT University in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, reported on the recent launch of its Korean language courses in February 2010. These notable developments, together with the CEPA conclusion earlier this year, have combined to sharply boost the interest in learning Korean in all parts of the Indian subcontinent. It was also noted that support for Korean language education should now be expanded to such regions as Bangalore and Pune.
Of note, JNU’s Korean language education program has played a central role in Korea-related education and Korea-India cultural exchange from the time of its establishment. Currently JNU, a prestigious national university at the forefront of post-graduate study, offers undergraduate and graduate Korean programs, while the University of Delhi, another prominent national university, plans to commence an undergraduate transfer program for students of Korean in July this year. In addition, Magadh University maintains a two-year Korean language program, along with year-long programs being available at Jadavpur University, the University of Calcutta, and KITT University. InKo Centre of Chennai also offers a variety of Korean language courses and programs.
In light of the Indian economy’s rapid development in recent years and the special relationship being promoted by Korea and India, Korean language education in India needs to be steadily expanded in cooperation with various sectors in order to facilitate cultural exchange and to nurture manpower resources. This year’s workshop was especially meaningful as a concerted effort to outline a framework for more specialized Korean language education for Indian learners, through relevant research and closer cooperation within India, along with identifying a need for additional assistance in regional areas.

SEARCH

통합검색

통합검색버튼
통합검색닫기

전체메뉴

전체메뉴 닫기