Nowadays, Korean is not an unfamiliar and challenging language for people around the world. With the achievements of K-POP singers such as BTS and Blackpink, foreigners try to acquaint themselves with Korean lyrics. Also, the popularity of Korean drama and movies are skyrocketing due to Netflix, Youtube, and other online platforms.
Foreigners who have interest in Korean culture might experience some difficulties when trying to learn Korean by themselves. Another option is attending a Korean academy, but whether most of the to-be Korean learners have their own criteria of selecting the most suitable Korean teaching institute is not sure.
In that sense, we will compare Korean language education service institutions in Korea for foreigners residing in Korea and wanting to learn Korean in this analysis. We selected and analyzed the following institutions through the criteria of accessibility and Google searchability.
Those who are searching for a suitable Korean teaching service, pay attention!
1. Comparative Analysis on Korean Education Programs
This is a comparative analysis table organized to help understanding.
| Seoul Global Center |
대학교 어학원 | 조인어스코리아 | Seoul Korean Language Academy |
Korean Class101 |
|
| Operating Institution | Seoul |
University | NGO | Private | Private |
| Operating hours and period | 12 weeks (TOPIK: 8 weeks) |
Semesterly operation (10wks, total 200 hrs) |
12 or 24 weeks (2 hrs per week) |
various options (Max 40 hrs per week) |
24 hours |
| Class Fees | Free | 1,730,000 KRW or 1,580,000 KRW |
150,000 KRW (3 months) Variety of discount options |
200,000 KRW ~ 480,000 KRW |
Partially Free (Tutoring and Actual Classes are not free) |
| textbook | 서강한국어 (1A~4B) | 기초/초급반: 서울대 한국어 1A, 1B 토픽반: 에듀윌 TOPIK II |
Complete Guide to the TOPIK , 생생 한국어 듣기 (2권) |
||
| Online Availability | Zoom | Online class operation O |
Zoom, google Meet | Online class operation O Video lecture O |
App & website |
| FIY | experience various cultures, participate in optional classes |
In case of offline operation, ‘free talking time’ through an additional 1 hour class |
Offers a variety of field trip programs |
Seoul Global Center
Located at the capital of Korea, Seoul Global Center has a 8- or 12-week class for TOPIK and the others, respectively. All classes can be registered for free, and the classes use a series of textbooks called ‘서강 한국어’ (1A~4B).
University Language School
Based on a semesterly operation, several Korean universities operate a 200-hour class for 10 weeks. These classes are not available online. Class fees and textbooks vary depending on what university program students enroll.
Joinus Korea
As a multilingual NGO, Joinus Korea operates a 12- or 24-week Korean class program constantly. With a reasonable price of 80,000~150,000 KRW per quarter and online class availability, the institution teaches Korean with various textbooks such as ‘서울대 한국어’ and ‘에듀윌 TOPIK’.
Seoul Korean Language Academy
With various class options, this private institution operates both offline and online Korean classes for up to 40 hours a week. Textbooks used are ‘Complete Guide to the TOPIK’ and ‘생생 한국어듣기’.
Korean Class 101
Although available only online, Korean Class 101 features an all-day long Korean class. Class fees are partially free, but tutoring and actual classes are not.
2. Pros and Cons of Korean Education Programs
Seoul Global Center…
- provides free classes
- but is available only through a time-limited registration period and does not prolong class durations
University Language Schools…
- acknowledge the Korean classes as class credits
- but the classes are relatively pricey
Joinus Korea...
- provides a Free Korean Level Test
- operates various classes, which can be chosen depending on students’ interest and Korean fluency
- Registration and class registration available at all times
- ensures active communication between students and teachers
- but lacks a specific target group, since the organization’s characteristics are between those of private and public institutions
Seoul Korean Language Academy…
- gives consultations to students regarding life in Korea
- provides supplementary lessons
- but does not give students the option to choose a teacher
Korean Class 101…
- has no time or space constraints
- features 34 languages
- but students have to study on their own
3. Use of Online Platform and SNS
Seoul Global Center
differentiates online website (for enrollment & specific introduction of Korean classes) from its SNS (for advertising).
lists up its teachers’ expertise in Korean teaching on the website
University Language Schools
(in case of SNU Language Education Center) activates students’ Korean class reviews through Google
Joinus Korea
constantly provides new Korean contents through various SNS, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube. (daily or bidaily upload)
Seoul Korean Language Academy
has an online website for enrollment separated from SNS
Korean Class 101
uploads SNS contents focusing on Korean conversation
frequently opens Instagram Q&A sessions
4. Reviews of Students
Seoul Global Center
“I’ve visited this place a few times, including for free Korean classes. It seems the SGC works hard to identify and address the needs of residents coming from other countries.”
In particular, students attending the Seoul Global Center mentioned satisfaction with free lessons. As the institution is provided by Seoul-si, organized curriculums and various activities at the foreigner-only cultural center are mentioned at the reviews as well.
University Language School
“Good class, atmosphere, and friends.”
Each university language school has different reviews, but one thing that was always mentioned was the atmosphere of getting together with language school friends. Given the circumstances of universities, the reviews stated that they can learn the culture of college life and meet Korean assistants who helped them to improve their Korean skills.
Joinus Korea
“It’s not pricey and teachers are native.”
“I recently extended the class duration because I was satisfied by Joinus Korea’s classes and wanted to learn more about Korean.”
Joinus Korea Korean classes’ students decided to enroll due to less burdensome prices and various cultural activities. One aspect that students emphasize is that ‘communication with teachers’ is ensured. Adding to quality classes, the respect of teachers to students arose in active communication, which accounted for most of the rave reviews of Joinus Korea.
Seoul Korean Language Academy
“Korean Language Course - Affordability 8.5, Classes and Materials 9, Atmosphere 9.5.”
Seoul Korean Language Academy is a private institution with various Korean language programs. Because of this, many reviews are posted. Considering the good class atmosphere and the fact that abundant programs are underway, evaluations mostly consist of compliments from academy-made textbooks to quality of classes.
Korean Class 101
“Class quality is 5 stars.”
Although it is a Korean class that is only operated online, satisfaction with "class quality" is high because it explains Korean grammar and system briefly and clearly and tells how to apply it effectively. Students say the fact that they can review satisfactory classes through SNS is also one of the best parts of this program.
Now, why don’t you choose your Korean education program by skimming through these reviews?
5. Conclusion
By this analysis, we were able to find several meaningful points regarding how to find a suitable Korean language education program.
First, most of the institutions featured online availability as well as offline classes. This would be an especially critical determinant in pandemic situations like these days. Second, a few programs provided free Korean Level Test or consultations to students. Third, some institutions displayed constant SNS uploading trends, which can be crucial in the Korean studies of foreign students located remotely from Korea. Last but not least, based on the reviews, classes that are not pricey and have teachers with superb Korean teaching skills would be preferred.
Learning a language doesn't just mean being able to talk to foreigners in another language. This is because learners should constantly repeat the process of understanding and communicating the culture of the country in the process of studying a language.
In that sense, we hope this article helps you to explore new cultures and perspectives.
"다국어&다문화 지식공유/교류 커뮤니티" 운영 IT NGO
MULTILINGUAL KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE & SHARING COMMUNITY
조인어스코리아는 국내 최대 20 언어권 ‘국경 없는 언어문화 지식교류활동가’(JOKOER)를 회원으로 하는 NGO로써,
지식을 통해 세계인과 교류하는 다국어&다문화 지식허브 커뮤니티를 운영하는 순수 비영리 민간외교 단체 입니다.
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