Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Korean language and degree programs. Instruction can also be arranged through nonprofit
organizations such as the New York City-based Korea Society and the Korean-government
backed King Sejong Institute, which has several locations in North America and Europe.
Universities
Virtually every large city in South Korea has universities running degree and nondegree
Korean language programs for foreign learners, including Busan, Ulsan, Daegu, and Dae-
jeon. The highest concentration is, of course, in Seoul, where there are dozens of choices.
Yonsei University and Sogang University generally have the best reputations for producing
fluent Korean speakers.
Most universities will offer students full-time or part-time study options that are usually
confined to evenings and weekends. Fees start at around 1 million won per term, and classes
tend to be relatively large and fast-paced, with some amount of additional independent
study required.
Language Schools
Larger cities like Seoul and Busan have multiple private language schools offering Korean
language classes. The benefit of these outfits is that they tend to be far more flexible than
universities and can tailor courses to the needs of specific individuals or groups. However,
standards and costs vary widely, so be sure the school has a good reputation and ask about
the qualifications of your would-be instructor. In Seoul, the Language Teaching Research
Center and Seoul Korean Language Academy are well-established and centrally located, as
is the Korean Language Institute for Foreigners in Busan.
Other Options
Increasing numbers of city and district governments offer free Korean language courses to
new residents in order to help them adjust—check with your nearest district office to see
if any are running. Language exchanges can also be arranged easily with a host of eager
Koreans in your area through community centers, universities, or social networking sites
like Facebook and
meetup.com
.
South Korea's education system is highly centralized, rigorous, and competitive, and it is
the focus of a far higher proportion of government spending than in most other countries.
Whether it provides good education is a matter of age-old, heated, and exhaustive debate.
