This study focuses on establishing a systematic framework and content for Korean cultural education tailored to Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners and constructing a meaningful cultural vocabulary list based on this framework.
With the increas...
This study focuses on establishing a systematic framework and content for Korean cultural education tailored to Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners and constructing a meaningful cultural vocabulary list based on this framework.
With the increasing number of international students in Korea, their academic and social goals have become more diverse. This shift underscores the growing need for systematic cultural education that not only deepens their understanding of Korean society and culture but also supports their academic success and social adaptation. Specifically, Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners require cultural and academic knowledge beyond basic communication skills to navigate their academic pursuits and social activities effectively. To fulfill these needs, this study developed a structured framework and content for Korean cultural education and compiled a meaningful vocabulary list.
In the initial phase of the study, the necessity of Korean cultural education for Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners was discussed, and the status of foreigner-exclusive courses offered at Korean universities was analyzed. Based on this analysis, directions for cultural education suitable for these learners were identified. The study confirmed that Korean cultural education should encompass Everyday Cultural Knowledge, University Life Cultural Knowledge, and Korean Studies-Related Cultural Knowledge, the latter of which is particularly necessary for academic understanding.
Building on these findings, the study reviewed frameworks for classifying cultural topics in Korean cultural education and established a systematic structure and thematic categories aligned with the proposed directions. Using these categories, the study compiled a preliminary vocabulary list, drawing from existing cultural vocabulary lists, cultural textbooks for foreigners, and academic-purpose Korean language textbooks.
Each vocabulary item in the preliminary list was systematically classified according to the proposed cultural classification framework. To select vocabulary items that meet the criteria for cultural vocabulary, the study applied the following selection criteria: vocabulary closely related to learners' academic purposes and goals, vocabulary representing specific aspects of Korean culture, vocabulary with sociocultural or historical value for systematically understanding Korea, vocabulary effectively representing contemporary Korean culture and frequently used in daily life, vocabulary containing cultural and social contexts beyond its basic meaning, vocabulary unique to the Korean language, vocabulary existing in other languages but carrying symbolic meanings related to Korean culture, and vocabulary universally recognized and understood by Koreans. Through this process, a secondary vocabulary list containing 1,523 items was created.
After reviewing the thematic classification of the secondary list, gaps were identified and supplemented using major thematic keywords from elementary school textbooks. These textbooks contain foundational content widely familiar to Koreans, making them suitable for academic-purpose Korean cultural education. Additional resources were consulted to refine the vocabulary, and a final cultural vocabulary list consisting of 1,690 items was completed.
Furthermore, this study proposed practical educational methods utilizing the selected vocabulary. A syllabus for Korean cultural classes was designed with “Korean History” and “University Life” as themes, structured for one semester at the university level. To teach the vocabulary effectively to academic-purpose learners, educational content reflecting the characteristics of each theme was developed and presented as practical examples. Additionally, Content-Based Instruction (CBI) methodologies, including theme-based and adjunct models, were applied to propose concrete cultural education methods suitable for Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners.
This study offers a systematic and detailed cultural education model based on cultural vocabulary, providing valuable resources for both learners and educators. However, as this study focused on designing syllabi for two themes, developing Korean cultural education for diverse topics and applying it in actual educational settings remain tasks for future research. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the advancement of Korean cultural education for Academic-Purpose Korean Language Learners.