To the question “What is your greatest worry in moving to a foreign country?” most people answer, “Language, of course.” Whenever they travel or immigrate to other nations, dictionary is one of the most essential possessions to bring with. It is mostly the language barrier that keeps people from communicating with others and understanding the exotic culture. To put those concerns to rest for visitors to Korea, Korea University (KU) here opened the KU Korean Language and Culture Center (KLCC) to greet these people and help them make themselves at home. 

Witch-Hunt, Abnormal Conference, I Live All by Myself, and Real Guy. These are all names of television programs which feature foreign guests just like Korean. They speak Korean with extreme fluency, know Korea’s history better than the show hosts, and enjoy spicy Korean food that often do not fit the taste of European countries. With the huge popularity of K-pop and Korean dramas, more and more foreigners are gaining interest in this small country with only 50 million people. They first amazed Koreans by following songs and dances with great accuracy and are now astonishing them by adapting themselves perfectly into the country.

Sam Hammington, who is a current Korean celebrity by appearing on more than four television programs, counted language barrier as the most significant obstacle in making himself at home in Korea. More than half the foreigners who are taking part in the television show, Abnormal Conference, including Samuel Okyere from Ghana and Zhang Yuan from China, also said they had a difficult time learning the language in the beginning. Though they all had problems in speaking Korean, they are now up to the level of native speaker.

One similarity that could be found among these three foreigners is that they all attended KLCC for certain periods each. KLCC successfully became the compass for those wandering within a land unknown. Established on March 1, 1986, the center recruited foreigners under the aim of spreading both Korean language and culture. A number of language programs, club activities, and field trips are offered to center attendees, according to duration, season, and demands.

KLCC on Its Upturn

As much as 1100 students applied for the KLCC Regular Program this year. “There only had been 600 to 700 applicants on average, but the number increased last year to 800 and broke the new record this year. It is undoubtedly a nice change,” said Kim Young Kyoung, an officer at KLCC. The main reason for the increase she mentioned was the skyrocketing popularity of K-pop and Korean drama. The visit of President Xi Jinping of China to Korea has been helpful in improving the overall image of the country as well. With all expectation and hope, the fall semester of KLCC began this September and students are on their way of learning Korea one step further.

“If we measure the Korean proficiency of foreign friends, we can easily recognize that KLCC students are one or two stages more superior,” claimed Kim, when asked about the unique characteristics of KU’s language center. Such success is a consequence of basing the language program and its textbook on speaking. Students are encouraged to speak frequently in presentations during the course. Especially at the end of the program, they must pick one subject and elaborate on it more.

Plenty of club activities and field trips also attribute to their mastery of Korean. Such activities are designed to enhance foreigners’ interest in Korean culture and provide opportunities to become friends with others in an alien country. “There are definitely a lot of enjoyable events other than studying. They are all so interesting, and I can share my experience with many good friends,” said Li Xiang, a student who has studied at KLCC for four months. KLCC organizes an athletic competition, talent show, universal Korean UCC festival, and performance trip seasonally, and gives them a chance to visit amusement parks and folk village. They can also attend the Annual Ko-Yon Games and make kimchi.

Moreover, club activities are held every week for about two hours. They all include activities related to Korean culture so that students can have better incentives to learn more about Korea and encounter diverse experiences other than language. The classes are divided into five, including dance, samulnori or Korean traditional percussion quartet, song, taekwondo, and Korean cooking. They are all free except for the ingredients fee for Korean cooking and uniforms fee for taekwondo. Students who do well in their club activities can perform after their completion ceremony.

Other than the Regular Program that includes all the language and culture courses, there are many other courses for foreigners with different needs. While the Regular Program only accepts high-school graduates and runs for approximately 10 weeks, Summer School for Teenagers is for adolescents who hope to learn Korean during their summer vacation. A month-long Intensive Program progresses twice in summer and once in winter. One course is for Japanese students only and it gives special attention to cultural aspects and generalized emotions. Such a number in programs adds to the success of aiding foreigners to understand Korea and its culture well enough to fully participate in Korean life.

KLCC Seeks More Attention

KLCC had faced unexpected popularity, and the center is trying its best to provide sufficient service and education to its students. Since the center accepts every applicant who holds the appropriate academic degree and visa, it is predicted that more and more students will enroll. However, supply is far behind the demand following the lack of labor force. The center requires more resources, including Korean applicants, for its needed expansion. The present situation claims that the programs could be completed not only by the interest of the foreign students, but also by the attention of KU and its students.

It is true that KU provides an ample amount of scholarships to the center. To students who are outstanding academically, the school charges tuition fees proportionately. This definitely triggers work efficiency among students, but they need something more than just money. KLCC is now recruiting more Korean-major lecturers and assistants from among KU students to form attachment with foreign students. Kim stated, “The number of assistant applicants is over 100, but is still not enough considering the number of foreign students has jumped to around 1000.” The size of KLCC office is also too small for all students to use at the beginning of each semester. They should stand in long lines until their turn comes to speak with the officers.

To rectify these issues, KLCC is attempting to make large changes to their original system. The center opened a program on YouTube called KUlture with Alexander, a previous member of an idol group and a KU student, as a DJ, and is recruiting another one. In addition, it posted an announcement for the recruitment of KLCC assistants and public relations representatives. It is planning to makeover its existing homepage to better fill center needs as well.

KLCC is on the path of leading foreigners into knowing more about this small peninsula called Korea. It operates as a compass for people lost in an alien country and guides them out through the direct passage. Without frustration or wandering, they are given a chance to taste Korean foods, experience Korean culture, speak Korean language, and meet Korean people. As long as there is consistent attention and support for the center, KLCC will continue to exist as the number one guidepost into Korea.