▲ Ha Chae-su, Director of Sun Moon University Korean Language Institute

The number of foreign students in Korea has increased by 20% as of 2017 with 30% increase in language study alone according to a report. Opened in March 1989, Sun Moon University Korean Language Institute has taught Korean language to 17,860 foreign students from 151 countries so far. The institute was chosen for the Korean language study support program by the Ministry of Education and attracted yearly 1,530 foreign students from more than 95 countries. From 2008, the institute also started to take foreign students invited by the Korean government. “Sun Moon University Korean Language Institute is the 4th oldest in Korea and boasts highly experienced teachers, excellent curriculum, cutting edge educational facilities and multilingual administration staff” explains Ha Chae-su, the director of the institute. The classes are run based on four seasonal semesters and students need to complete the 5 day a week course of the total 11 weeks (220 hours) to get a certificate. The classes are carried on alongside various cultural programs and a consulting for academic career path is also provided. Cultural programs in particular covers various fields from Korean cuisine and cultural tour to talent show, volunteer activities and local festivals. The programs are held in close cooperation with local organizations to maximize the fun and effect. According to Ha, many students of the institute move onto their level of study at Sun Moon University and other major universities in Korea or are working for a Korean company, as a Korean language teacher and a translator in their homeland. Sun Moon University Korean Language Institute is running branches in Vietnam and Indonesia at the moment with prospective branches soon to open in China and Taiwan this year.  

<Power Korea> ‘rewrites’ Korean article in ‘plain English’ with ‘key points’ 
Jon Kim powerkorea_j@naver.com