Korean
Learn Korean, Open a Fascinating Door to Korea!
Korean is the official language of both South Korea and North Korea, which have a combined population of around 73 million (50 million in South Korea and 23 million in the North). Korean is also spoken in large ethnic Korean communities in China, Japan, Central Asia, and in the United States, where 1.7 million Korean Americans live.
Korea has a long history and rich cultural traditions, which makes it fascinating to study and explore. It has played a vital role in East Asian history — notably through interactions with China and Japan — such that a better understanding of Korea is necessary to fully understand East Asia. In recent years, there has been growing world interest in Korean popular culture — the so-called “Hallyu” or Korean Wave. Going beyond love of television-dramas, movies and K-Pop, the Korean Wave reflects a desire to fully appreciate Korean culture and tradition through popular media. By learning Korean with the Center for Asian Studies, you will open a fascinating door of that unique world!
| Course Name | Course Description and Syllabus |
|---|---|
| Beginner’s Korean | Beginner’s Korean is designed for students who have little to no previous knowledge of the Korean language. It aims to introduce the basics of Korean, including the Korean alphabet, Hangul, grammar and spoken Korean used for daily communications. Each lesson will cover the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, and interactive practices through which students can use the language actively and develop communication skills. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: read and write Korean characters; grasp basic grammar; master some essential cultural knowledge; and conduct simple conversations about daily life such as greetings and introducing themselves, talking about family members, expressing likes and dislikes, and asking time/price/location, etc. |