No. 85 | July 2020
KSIF Newsletter
Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism participates in OKSI video class
- Observed classes conducted at KSI USA/Vietnam and met with and
encouraged teachers and students in person
- Promised active support after hearing presentation by President
Kang Hyounhwa on business vision for OKSI
Minister Park Yangwoo of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) observed
a video class of the Online King Sejong Institute (OKSI) and promised funding for untact
projects to be conducted by the KSIF.
On June 10, Park participated in the “Announcement of New KSIs and On-site Inspection
of Untact Classes” event, which was held at the KSIF’s Seocho-gu headquarters (large
conference room, 12F). Park observed a class of KSI USA’s OKSI program and offered
encouragement to the students and dispatched teachers at KSIs USA and Vietnam.
Park observed an Elementary 1B class held at KSI USA at 10:30 (KST). Afterward, he
had video conversations with teachers and learners to acknowledge their efforts and
encourage them to continue teaching and learning.
In response to Park’s question about what led him to start learning Korean, Fergus (43,
male), a student at KSI USA, said, “I began studying Korean two years ago, when I began
taking an interest in Korean movies and culture. I watched Parasite after having studied
at the KSI for a while, and it was really fun because I was able to understand a lot of the
dialogue.”
Esther Kim, a teacher at KSI USA, said, “Thanks to the online lecture platform provided by
the KSIF, we are currently holding 90 percent of all classes online. Although it’s a shame
that we can’t do partner work like we used to, students are quickly adjusting to the new
learning environment and working very hard to learn as much as they can.”
President Kang said, “Because online classes, by their nature, require a different mode
of preparation than face-to-face classes, I am fully aware that teachers need more time
for class preparation. I would like to thank all KSI teachers for adjusting so quickly to
our changing learning environment, despite the difficulties involved, and remaining
committed to teaching Korean.”
Park then had a video meeting with a teacher and student of KSI Vietnam. In response
to Park’s question about her experience with OKSI so far, Kim Inae, a teacher, said, “At
first, there were students who found it hard to stick with online classes. But now, student
reactions are generally positive.”
A student of KSI Vietnam who introduced herself with her Korean name, Kim Jisu, said,
“After I started studying Korean, I began dreaming of going to Korea to study Korean
further. I also want to find a job with a Korean company and travel to Korea.” Park
answered, “If you study hard at the KSI, you may become so fluent that you don’t actually
need to come all the way to Korea to study. But any good university in Korea would love
to have a student as smart and diligent as you.”
After the video meetings, Park heard a presentation by President Kang on the KSIF’s
vision for future untact projects and programs with a focus on: the development of
Korean educational materials through the use of new technologies (AI, big data, etc.),
establishment of an untact learning environment tailored to the needs of individual
students (New Southern and New Northern countries, etc.), expanded collaboration with
relevant institutions on the use of Korean language educational content, and revitalization
of online cultural exchanges.
Park said, “For some, Korean is a language of hope and dreams.” He promised aid for
future programs, saying, “The Korean government will do its utmost to make Korean,
which is already popular worldwide, more accessible to people all over the world.”
The KSIF began regular operation of OKSI on April 1. Through OKSI, a total of 1,162
Korean curricula were provided in the first half of 2020, with a total of 12,000 students
taking online Korean classes. In the second half of the year, the KSIF will be utilizing the
OKSI platform to add classes (e.g. on Korean culture) and broaden support for untact
classes.
▶Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
▶Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Park Yangwoo in a video meeting with
Park Yangwoo observing a class of KSI USA.
Kim Innae, a teacher at KSI Vietnam.
▶Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
▶President Kang Hyounhwa briefing Minister
Park Yangwoo talking with Kim Jisu,
Park on the KSIF’s vision for untact programs.
a student of KSI Vietnam.