Hallyu in Punjab: Curriculum-based Korean language classes start at two International schools
KCCI introduced curriculum-based Korean language classes at three Indian schools in 2020, and the number has grown to 13 schools this year.
New Delhi: For the first time, two international schools in Punjab would now be teaching the Korean language as part of their curriculum.
On Thursday, the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI), the cultural arm of the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in India signed agreements to this effect with St. Ezra International Senior Secondary School and Caledonian International School in Punjab for launching curriculum-based Korean course.
During a virtual MOU Ceremony, Srijal Gupta, Director of Caledonian International School, and Ms. Shagun Gupta, Principal of Caledonian International School thanked KCCI for providing students with Korean language education opportunities and said that they expected this start to further develop the relationship of Punjab with Korea.
The St. Ezra International Senior Secondary School offers Korean Language classes twice a week for twenty 6th graders, while the Caledonian International School offers Korean Language classes for 26 8th graders, three times a week. The classes are conducted as non-face-to-face real-time classes, and the teachers, textbooks, and curriculum required for the classes are all supported by the Korean Cultural Centre India.
Related article: Korean language inducted into curriculum at a school in Chennai. First in Southern India
The Korean Cultural Centre had conducted Korean language classes as curriculum-based at three Indian schools in 2020 and now has expanded Korean Language classes as curriculum-based to 13 Indian schools this year.
This is an increase of more than 400 percent compared to the number of Korean language classes as curriculum-based in 2020. And after the revised National Education Policy of India (last year) adopted the Korean language as one of Indian schools’ recommended foreign language subjects, the demand for the Korean language in Indian schools also seems to be soaring.
Hwang Ilyong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India said, “Korean Cultural Centre India had operated Korean Language Online Education System as soon as the coronavirus pandemic hit the world. We have been successfully conducting Korean language classes through this virtual platform. As a result this year the Korean language education is expanding beyond Delhi and Northeastern India to Chennai in South India and Punjab in Northwest India.” and “We ensure that all the support will be provided wherever there is a demand for Korean language and Korean culture, regardless of the distance, all over India by using the Online Education System actively.”
