Korean Level 1

Yeosu South Korea

A beginner’s introduction to the Korean language and culture

Module details

  • Offered to 1st and 2nd Years
  • Monday or Tuesday 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
  • Not available as part of I-Explore
  • Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Degree credit module options by departmentHow to enrol

This module aims to: 

  • Give students with no previous learning experience an introduction to the language as it is spoken in South Korea
  • Help you acquire all the fundamental language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking), with a special emphasis on building grammatical foundations and inculcation of correct pronunciation
  • Offer students an insight into the history and culture of Korea

To be eligible for this module, you need to have no previous experience in learning Korean.

Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year. 

Information blocks

Learning outcomes

Traditional Korean architecture of Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
 
  • Respond to and produce a basic range of spoken language in very familiar contexts, applying your knowledge of A1 grammar and vocabulary
  • Respond to and produce very simple written texts, applying your knowledge of A1 grammar and vocabulary
  • Demonstrate intercultural awareness in the handling of everyday social interactions in Korean
  • Engage with a basic range of digital language-learning tools to support your production

Indicative core content

Seoul

This module will cover the following linguistic structures:

  • Reading and writing the Korean alphabet ‘Hangeul’
  • Two different numerical systems
  • Tenses, including the present, past, and future
  • Distinguishing different levels of formality and speech levels, including honorific speech

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

  • Daily greetings
  • Describing friends and family
  • Locations and objects
  • Talking about daily routines and plans
  • Features of modern life

Learning and teaching approach

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair work and group work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and collection of key terms/ideas, followed by report to plenum), individual tasks (face-to-face and online); discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop learning and communicative skills. Homework and coursework tasks give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills and to develop awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks, but also supports different learning styles.

All coursework assignments will be marked and returned to you within two weeks. Marking criteria and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each assignment, to ensure that you are aware of all expectations. Detailed feedback will be provided for each individual section of every coursework assignment. Feedback will detail the correct answer(s), along with suggestions for improvement. In addition to the points awarded for each assignment, an overall percentage grade will be given. Generic feedback on coursework will also be given during class.

Assessment

The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc.) are set every week on the VLE, following a flipped-classroom approach to ensure face-to-face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. Independent study and support materials/guidance are also provided so that you can reinforce topics covered at your own pace. Feedback is given for tasks submitted to ensure you are supported to complete your work and aware of assessment expectations. Summative assessment consists of two pieces of coursework (one per term); two 1-hour timed assessments (scheduled at the end of terms); and one practical examination, i.e. an oral exam (at the end of spring term or beginning of the summer term). Coursework and written/oral examinations will all contribute to your final grade.

  • Coursework (20%): Listening (multiple short listening audio files, length: 30 seconds - 1 minute), reading comprehension and integrated grammar, simple oral recording, simple writing (100 words).
  • Examination (20%): 1-hour written test, taken in class. Including: grammar, reading and guided writing (approx. 80 words).
  • Coursework (20%): Listening (1-2 minutes), reading comprehension and integrated grammar, pre-recorded oral presentation, simple writing (100 words).
  • Examination (20%): 1-hour written test, taken in class. Including: grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing (100 words).
  • Practical (20%): Oral exam, including presentation and unprepared dialogue (10 minutes).

Key information

  • 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
  • Available to take for credit towards your degree where your department allows. Also available for extra-credit.
  • You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Module Materials: 

Cho, Y. et al (2010) Integrated Korean Textbook; Beginning 1 (2nd ed.), University of Hawai’i Press, US ISBN 978-0-8248-3440-1 

Park, M. et al (2010) Integrated Korean Workbook; Beginning 1 (2nd ed.), University of Hawai’i Press, US ISBN 978-0-8248-3450-0

The module is supported by additional materials