Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) organized certificate ceremonies of Summer Vacation Korean Language hobby class. 284 student from 8 schools were enrolled in these classes out of which 190 students were able to clear the exam and receive the certificate.
In the 30 hours class course, students learned Korean consonants, vowels, basic grammar, which made them capable enough to introduce themselves in Korean language. The class gave them opportunity to broaden their understanding of Korea by learning about Korean culture such as K-pop, Taekwondo, Kimchi, and Hanbok, etc. It was a meaningful step to organize such hobby class as students had fewer opportunities due to the pandemic situation.
KCCI said that the second session of Korean language hobby class will be held at 11 Indian schools starting from August, according to each school’s schedule. In January 2021, KCCI conducted a demand survey in 50 schools in Delhi and NCR, and has signed MOUs with 27 Indian schools that have expressed their intention to conduct Korean language classes.
Compared to the number of Korean language courses (3 schools with Korean language classes as curriculum based and 10 schools with hobby classes) in 2020, the number of the schools that offer Korean language classes as curriculum based increased by 400% and hobby classes increased by 200%, showing the status of Korean language popularity and its demands based on the Indian Government’s NEP announcement in July 2020.
In response, in continuation of last year’s effort KCCI plans to operate a “local Korean language teacher training course” as demand for local teachers in charge of Korean language courses in Indian schools is expected to surge.
Hwang Il-yong, director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “In order to actively prepare for the long-term trend of Corona 19 and the changing educational environment, we also have developed and distributed online international exchange programs with Indian and Korean schools. We will also make efforts to develop global capabilities for Indian students.”
