With the goal of making Korean culture and the Korean language more widely known through out the world, Sogang University's KLEC was established in 1990. Since then, roughly 10,000 foreigners who came to study the Korean language and Korean culture have passed through this program. Presently, about 2,000 students enroll in Sogang University's KLEC each year.
The Distinguishing Features of Sogang University's KLEC
- Sogang University's KLEC differs from other Korean Language Education Centers by refusing to make grammar the focus of class. Instead, KLEC focuses on speaking. Toward that end, out of the four hours of daily instruction, two are devoted to speaking.
- Due to the importance of understanding different peoples and cultures, KLEC has set up a system of learning essential for students who wish to meet a lot of people and who wish to accustom themselves to Korea.
- To meet the needs of a class centered around speaking, at present, from Levels 1 to 4, a total of twenty books (10 student books and 10 workbooks) have been developed and are currently in circulation. Soon, a Level 5 textbook and three reading books translated into Japanese will be published. Also, a variety of
supplementary textbooks that can be used in conjunction with the other
textbooks have been developed. By making use of textbooks that stimulate the visual and audio senses, videos, and other materials, Korean language instructors can teach Korea in an authentic manner. Furthermore, KLEC always updates the teaching materials each year.
- KLEC regard making the student-not the teacher-the focus of the class very highly. Accordingly, during class the instructor plays the role of a facilitator in encouraging students to express themselves through conversation.
- In the interests of a class with the student as the focal point, beginning with the production of our curriculum, KLEC always considers the interests and demands of the student and, even during class, make an effort to accomodate them.
- If any student desires a special class-for example, a song based or Chinese character based Korean language class-KLEC will develop a course around that subject.
At Sogang University's KLEC, there are four full time teachers and about thirty salary earning teachers. They fulfill a crucial role in teaching Korean, so both their sense of responsibility and their enthusiasm are very high. All teachers have distinguishing achievements in their respective fields of either Korean language or general Korean studies and, through regular meetings and workshops, keep in touch with the latest methods of classroom instruction. Instructors also oversee the student's attendance records, tests, and so on and so forth. In addition, instructors are available to counsel students confronting problems stemming from their studies or daily life in Korea.
- Multimedia Room:
In this Center's state of the art multimedia room, students may listen to CDs, watch videos, or use computers.
- Internet Room:
Inside the building, KLEC has a student-run computer lab for students. Here, students can hone their listening by using comprehension tapes, watch videos, or study Korean through the internet.
Every floor in the KLEC building has a lounge where students may take a rest during breaks or before/after class.
- All students are free to use this university's library as well, including the computer room, reading room, and so on.
- Additionally, students can use the counselling room with instructors when taking interviews or receiving counseling.
- At the gymnasium, students may exercise, play sports, and even learn martial arts such as taekwondo free of charge.
- At the health center, students can receive medicine for free and even receive basic treatment for illnesses.
- If so desired, students can join any of Sogang University's clubs.