Yeosu South Korea

A Post-GCSE or equivalent module in Korean language and culture

Module details

  • Offered to 2nd, 3rd and 4th Years
  • Monday or Thursday 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
  • Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
  • Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
  • Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
  • Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Degree credit module options by departmentHow to enrol

A communicative module, for students with some prior knowledge of Korean, on the language and culture of South Korea.

This module aims to:

  • Further develop the four basic language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), based on the knowledge foundation established during any previous study or experience with the language
  • Revise and consolidate previous knowledge and basic grammar
  • Introduce more complex grammatical structures, a wider range of speech patterns and extend your vocabulary
  • Provide the tools for you to comprehend and produce pre-intermediate-level texts and interact in a range of spoken conversations
  • Give you further insights into culture and daily life in Korea

To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following: 

  • Successfully completed Korean Level 1
  • Gained a Korean GCSE qualification
  • Have already achieved the equivalent level by other means

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

 

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:Traditional Korean architecture of Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul

  • Respond to and produce simple spoken language in familiar contexts, applying your knowledge of A2 grammar and vocabulary
  • Respond to and produce simple written texts, applying your knowledge of A2 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 and expand you knowledge.

 

Indicative core content

Seoul

In this module, you will cover the following linguistic structures: 

  • noun/adjective/verb-modifying forms
  • Honorific particles and expressions
  • Clausal connectives (reasons, causes, sequential)
  • Progressive forms
  • Present perfect forms

These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:

  • Talking about professional life and career
  • Searching for accommodation
  • Making telephone conversations
  • Talking about travel plans and arrangements
  • Describing events and relevant feelings
  • Writing letters and emails
  • Aspects of Korean culture, history, and traditions

 

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 learners 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 (15%): Integrated skills: grammar/listening (2-3 minutes), reading/writing tasks (120-150 words), pre-recorded oral presentation (2-3 minutes).
  • Examination (10%): 1-hour in-class written test, consisting of grammar/ reading comprehension/ writing (120 words).
  • Coursework (20%): Integrated skills: grammar/reading/listening (3-5 minutes), writing tasks (120-150 words), pre-recorded oral presentation (2-3 minutes).
  • Examination (30%): 1 hour in-class written test, consisting of grammar/reading comprehension/writing (150 words).
  • Practical (25%): Oral examination (15 minutes), including free/guided conversation and role play.

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 2 (2nd ed.), University of Hawai’i Press, US. ISBN: 978-0-8248-3515-6

Park, M. et al (2010). Integrated Korean Workbook; Beginning 2 (2nd ed.), University of Hawai’i Press, US. ISBN: 978-0-8248-3516-3

The course is supported by additional materials