CAU – Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture

1. Program Overview & Educational Goals

1.1. Introduction

This major has been newly designed for international students in response to the global spread of K-culture and the growing demand for specialists in Korean language education. It aims to cultivate global experts in Korean language education who can lead the AI era, through a carefully structured curriculum and strategically designed learning experiences.

1.2. Official Program Description & Educational Goals

The Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture aims to nurture students who possess a balanced combination of theoretical knowledge in teaching Korean as a foreign language and a broad understanding of both traditional and contemporary Korean culture. In the first year, students build foundational skills through academic Korean speaking, reading, writing, and presentation courses, while also learning to use generative AI as a study tool. In the second year, they systematically build academic foundations by taking courses such as Introduction to Korean Linguistics, Korean Orthography and Norms, Literature, Contrastive Linguistics, and Korean Grammar. In the third year, they deepen their expertise in language education through courses on second language acquisition, pronunciation teaching, grammar teaching, comprehension and production, assessment, and textbook development. Finally, in the fourth year, students enhance their practical skills through teaching practicum and courses on contemporary popular culture and narrative analysis, completing their portfolio for future careers.

Educational Goals

To train educational professionals who, based on Korean linguistics, Korean language education, and Korean studies, are capable of operating Korean language classes and designing curricula, assessments, and teaching materials.
To foster the ability to critically understand Korean culture from tradition to contemporary popular culture, and to develop skills in content analysis and storytelling.
To establish the capacity to appropriately use digital tools, including generative AI, as supportive means for more efficient teaching–learning practices and for improving academic-purpose communication skills.
To strengthen intercultural communication skills and practical field competence in multilingual and multicultural environments, thereby supporting students’ entry into educational institutions and cultural content sectors in and outside Korea.

1.3. Four-Year Roadmap: Training Korean Language Education Experts for the AI Era

The curriculum is systematically structured so that students can gradually develop from basic competence to advanced practical expertise.

1st Year – Foundations in Korean Studies with AI

Building academic-purpose Korean communication skills and basic major competency using generative AI.

2nd Year – Systematic Language & Culture Theory

Establishing theoretical foundations through Korean linguistics, grammar, contrastive linguistics, and related courses.

3rd Year – Teaching Methodology & Content Specialization

Deepening expertise in language education, including pronunciation, grammar, comprehension, production, assessment, and textbook-related pedagogy.

4th Year – Practicum & Portfolio

Completing practical competencies through teaching practicum, textbook development, and the analysis of contemporary popular culture and narratives.

1.4. Recommended Student Profile

This major is recommended for students who:

Are interested in communicating with foreigners and in teaching Korean.
Wish to introduce K-dramas, K-pop, and other aspects of K-culture to the world.
Have curiosity about Korean culture in general, from tradition to contemporary popular culture.
Want to develop intercultural communication skills in a multicultural society.
Are interested in using cutting-edge digital tools, including generative AI, in education.
Wish to demonstrate real teaching skills in domestic and international education settings.
Are drawn to linguistic analysis and systematic lesson planning.
Want to build abilities in storytelling, content analysis, and content planning.
Hope to work as Korean language teachers abroad and gain global experience.
Would like to take on challenges in educational content development, such as textbooks and assessments.

1.5. Career Paths after Graduation

Korean Language Education Institutions: Korean language institutes at universities in and outside Korea, King Sejong Institutes, multicultural family support centers, foreign schools, and positions as dispatched teachers through cultural and exchange foundations.
Cultural Content Industry: K-culture content agencies, writers for webtoons and dramas, cultural and tourism interpreters, and specialists in translation and interpreting.
Educational Research Institutions: Research institutes specializing in Korean language education, curriculum and textbook development centers, language test organizations, and graduate schools.
Public Sector: Government ministries and affiliated agencies related to education and culture, local governments’ international and multicultural service units, international exchange centers, and public libraries providing multicultural services.
Professional Certification: Obtaining qualifications such as Level 2 Korean Language Teacher, cultural tour guide, and tourist interpreter, and working as a freelance professional.

Through its systematic curriculum and clearly structured career paths, this major aims to cultivate global leaders who will play a key role in the era of Hallyu (the Korean Wave).

2. Admission (For March 2026 Entry – International Students Track)

2.1. Overview

This section provides a summary of the admission process for international students based on the “2026 Spring Undergraduate Admission Guidelines for International Students.” The Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture is a newly established program designed exclusively for international students, so applicants are strongly advised to carefully check their eligibility.

2.2. Eligibility

(1) Academic Background & Nationality

Freshman Admission: International students whose both parents are non-Korean nationals, and who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a regular high school in Korea or abroad, or have equivalent academic credentials.
Transfer to 2nd Year: International students whose both parents are non-Korean nationals, and who have completed (or are expected to complete) at least 2 semesters (1 year) at a regular 4-year university, or who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a regular junior college (community college) in Korea or abroad.
Transfer to 3rd Year: International students whose both parents are non-Korean nationals, and who have completed (or are expected to complete) at least 4 semesters (2 years) at a regular 4-year university, or who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a regular junior college in Korea or abroad.

(2) Language Requirements

At the time of application, there is no mandatory Korean proficiency requirement for submitting the application.
However, to begin undergraduate studies, students must meet the Korean proficiency criteria set by the university. Those who do not yet meet the criteria will be required to take an additional Korean language training course. (For detailed information, please refer to the official admission guidelines.)
To graduate from this major, students must obtain at least Level 4 on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), in accordance with the graduation assessment criteria.

2.3. Screening Method & Schedule

Screening Method

Evaluation: 100% document screening (holistic review)
Multiple Applications: Applicants may apply to up to two undergraduate programs.

Main Dates for the 2nd Screening – Spring 2026 (March Entry)

Category	Schedule
Online Application & Document Submission	Nov. 12 (Wed) – Nov. 26 (Wed), 2025
Announcement of Successful Applicants	Dec. 19 (Fri), 2025

2.4. Required Documents (Freshman Admission)

Freshman applicants must prepare the following mandatory documents:

Application form (printed after online submission)
High school graduation (or expected graduation) certificate
High school transcript
Official document proving family relationship between the student and parents (issued by a government office)
Copy of the applicant’s and parents’ ID cards
Copy of the applicant’s passport

In principle, original documents must be submitted. Any document not written in Korean or English must be submitted together with a notarized translation. For detailed information and any updates, please refer to the official admission guidelines of Chung-Ang University.

2.5. International Office – Admission Information

The most accurate and up-to-date information on admission is provided on the website of the Office of International Affairs (OIA). Detailed curriculum information for successful applicants is introduced in the next section.

Go to Chung-Ang University OIA – Admission Information

3. Curriculum

3.1. Overview

The curriculum of the Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture is designed to connect introductory courses in the lower years with advanced practical and specialized courses in the upper years. Students who complete the required courses can satisfy the academic requirements for obtaining the Korean Language Teacher Certificate (Level 2), thus taking the first step toward becoming professional Korean language educators.

3.2. Basic & Required Major Courses

Basic Major Courses (15 Credits)

Course Code	Course Title (in Korean)	Course Title (in English)	Credits
59311	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 전공 말하기	Korean Studies Speaking Utilizing Generative AI	3
59312	한국학 자료 읽기	Academic Reading in Korean	3
59313	AI 시대 한국학 기초 어휘론	The Basic Vocabulary Theory of Korean Studies in the AI Era	3
59330	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 전공 쓰기	Writing in Korean Studies Using Generative AI	3
59331	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 발표와 토론	Korean Studies Presentations and Discussions Utilizing Generative AI	3

Required Major Courses (Choose 12 Credits from the 6 Courses Below)

Course Code	Course Title (in Korean)	Course Title (in English)	Credits
59314	한국어학개론	Introduction to Korean Linguistics	3
59315	한국어어문규범	Korean Orthology	3
59316	한국의 전통문화	Korean traditional culture	3
59332	한국어문법론	Studies in Korean Grammar	3
59333	대조언어학	Contrastive Linguistics	3
59336	디지털 시대의 한국 옛노래	Old Korean Classical Poems in the Digital Age	3

3.3. Full Curriculum by Year & Semester

Year	Semester	Category	Course Code	Course Title (in Korean)	Course Title (in English)	Credits	Certificate Relevance
1	1	Basic	59311	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 전공 말하기	Korean Studies Speaking Utilizing Generative AI	3
1	1	Basic	59312	한국학 자료 읽기	Academic Reading in Korean	3
1	1	Basic	59313	AI시대 한국학 기초어휘론	The Basic Vocabulary Theory of Korean Studies in the AI Era	3
1	1	Free Elective	-	CAU세미나(1)	-	1	Required for 1st-year students
1	2	Basic	59330	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 전공 쓰기	Writing in Korean Studies Using Generative AI	3
1	2	Basic	59331	생성형 AI를 활용한 한국학 발표와 토론	Korean Studies Presentations and Discussions Utilizing Generative AI	3
2	1	Required	59314	한국어학개론	Introduction to Korean Linguistics	3	Korean Teacher Area 1
2	1	Required	59315	한국어어문규범	Korean Orthology	3	Korean Teacher Area 1
2	1	Required	59316	한국의 전통문화	Korean traditional culture	3	Korean Teacher Area 4
2	1	Major	59317	인공지능 시대의 한국 TV드라마	Korean TV Dramas in the Era of Artificial Intelligence	3
2	1	Major	59318	옛이야기로 읽는 한국의 역사와 문화	Reading Korean History and Culture through Old Stories	3	Korean Teacher Area 4
2	1	Major	59319	시로 읽는 한국 현대사	Korean Modern History through Poetry	3	Korean Teacher Area 4
2	2	Required	59332	한국어문법론	Studies in Korean Grammar	3	Korean Teacher Area 1
2	2	Required	59333	대조언어학	Contrastive Linguistics	3	Korean Teacher Area 2
2	2	Required	59336	디지털 시대의 한국 옛노래	Old Korean Classical Poems in the Digital Age	3
2	2	Major	59334	한국문학의 이해	Understanding Korean Literature	3	Korean Teacher Area 4
2	2	Major	59335	인공지능 시대 시 창작	Poetry Writing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence	3
3	1	Major	59320	한국어교육개론	Introduction to Korean Language Education	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	1	Major	59321	한국어표현교육론	Studies in Teaching Methodologies of Korean Speaking and Writing	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	1	Major	59322	한국문화교육론	Studies in Korean Culture Education	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	1	Major	59323	한국영상예술로 보는 한국문화	Korean Culture viewed through Korean Visual Arts	3
3	1	Major	59324	디지털 시대의 고전서사문화론	Theories of Korean Classical Narrative in the Digital Age	3
3	1	Major	59325	한국 고전문학과 여성	Korean Classical Literature and Female	3
3	1	Major	59326	AI시대 한국인의 소통과 문화	Korean Communication and Culture in the Age of AI	3
3	2	Major	59337	외국어습득론	Second Language Acquisition	3	Korean Teacher Area 2
3	2	Major	59338	한국어이해교육론	Studies in Teaching Methodologies of Korean Listening and Reading	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	2	Major	59339	한국어문법교육론	Studies in Korean Grammar Education	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	2	Major	59340	한국어발음교육론	Studies in Korean Pronunciation Education	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	2	Major	59341	한국어평가론	Studies in Korean Language Assessment	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
3	2	Major	59342	한국 대중서사와 스토리텔링	Korean Popular Narrative and Storytelling	3
4	1	Major	59327	한국어교수방법론	Studies in Teaching Methodologies of Korean Language	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
4	1	Major	59328	한국어교재론	Studies in Textbooks for Korean Language Education	3	Korean Teacher Area 3
4	1	Major	59329	한국학 현장 실습	Korean Studies Field Practice	3	Graduation Thesis Substitute
4	2	Major	59343	한국 현대 대중문화	Korean Contemporary Popular Culture	3	Korean Teacher Area 4
4	2	Major	59344	한국어교육실습	Practicum in Korean Language Teaching	3	Korean Teacher Area 5
4	2	Major	59345	인공지능 시대의 현대소설	A Modern Novel in the Age of Artificial Intelligence	3

3.4. Korean Language Teacher Certificate (Level 2)

Students in this major can obtain the Korean Language Teacher Certificate (Level 2) by completing the required courses. To be eligible, students must earn at least 45 credits across five designated subject areas. Detailed regulations regarding the certificate are available on the official website of the National Institute of Korean Language.

Go to the Official Website of the Korean Language Teacher Certificate

4. Graduation Requirements

4.1. Overview

To graduate from the Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture, students must meet the following criteria:

4.2. Required Minimum Credits for Graduation (Total: 130 Credits)

General Education: 30 credits or more (must include 6 mandatory credits: CAU Seminar 1, CAU Seminar 2)
Major: 72 credits or more
Free Elective: 28 credits or more
Total Credits: 130 credits or more

4.3. Mandatory Courses & Graduation Thesis

Mandatory Courses: Must complete the 5 Basic Major Courses and select 4 courses from the 6 Required Major Courses (Total: 9 mandatory courses).
TOPIK Score: Must submit a minimum of **TOPIK Level 4** score.
Graduation Thesis: Must submit a graduation thesis or replace it by completing the **Korean Studies Field Practice (59329)** course.

5. Faculty

5.2. Current Faculty

The faculty members guiding the Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture are specialists from the Department of Korean Language and Literature, Chung-Ang University.

Korean Linguistics & Korean Language Education

CHOI Eun-Kyung (崔恩璟)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Korean Language Education (Seoul National University Graduate School)
Courses: Introduction to Korean Language Education, Korean Language Education Theory
Office: Building 309, Room 313 | Tel: +82-2-820-5094 | E-mail: leeck@cau.ac.kr
YANG Myung-Hee (梁明姬)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Korean Linguistics (Seoul National University Graduate School)
Courses: (Not specified in the provided data)
Office: Building 305, Room 514 | Tel: +82-2-820-5088 | E-mail: yangmh@cau.ac.kr
IM Hyun-Yul (林玄烈)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Korean Linguistics (Chung-Ang University Graduate School)
Courses: (Not specified in the provided data)
Office: Building 305, Room 516 | Tel: +82-2-820-5085 | E-mail: imhy@cau.ac.kr

Classical & Modern Korean Literature

PARK Hwan-Young (朴奐榮)
Final Degree: D.Lit. (Cambridge University)
Courses: (Not specified in the provided data)
Office: Building 305, Room 910 | Tel: +82-2-820-5232 | E-mail: hyp1000@cau.ac.kr
LEE Myung-Hyun (李明賢)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Classical Literature (Korea University Graduate School)
Courses: Understanding Classical Literature, Theory of Classical Poetry, Classical Writers
Office: Building 305, Room 908 | Tel: +82-2-820-5061 | E-mail: dkssanga@cau.ac.kr
LEE Kyung-Soo (李京洙)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Modern Literature (Korea University Graduate School)
Courses: Theory of Modern Poetry, Modern Poets
Office: Building 305, Room 410 | Tel: +82-2-820-5087 | E-mail: philosoo@cau.ac.kr
SEO Se-Rim (徐세림)
Final Degree: Ph.D. in Modern Literature (Seoul National University Graduate School)
Courses: Theory of Modern Novels, Writers and the Era
Office: Building 305, Room 521 | Tel: +82-2-820-5104 | E-mail: serim@cau.ac.kr

The faculty is committed to supporting every student so that they may achieve their academic goals and successfully advance into society as professionals.

6. Notice

Information: This section is reserved for official notices related to the Major in Korean Language Education & Korean Culture.

Once the official website is fully launched, important information such as curriculum updates, scholarship announcements, and major academic events will be promptly posted here.

We kindly ask for your continued interest and attention, both from current students and prospective applicants.