Living within a country where the language is so utterly foreign from our own native tongue can be extremely frustrating. Well, for most of us here in Korea this is the case. We struggle daily with trying to comprehend what is going on around us while trying not to make ourselves look completely foolish.

Recent changes to immigration laws now make it easier for resident foreigners to study while living in Korea. No longer are numerous trips to immigration in order to gain permission to study needed on a work permit or spousal visa. This makes the options for Korean language study wide open to those of us who were previously hindered by our visa status.

There are various institutions in Gwangju that offer programs for foreigners wishing to pursue a level of fluency in the Korean language. Below is a short list of some of the more major academies.

Chonnam University (Language Education Center)
333 Yongbong-no, Buk-gu, Gwangju
Tel : 062-530-3631~3
Fax : 062-530-3629

Chosun University (Language Education Center)
375, Language Education Institute, Seoseok-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju
Tel : 062-230-6675,6676

Gwangju International Center (GIC)
5F, Jeonil B/D, Geunmnamno 1(il)ga,Dong-gu, Gwangju
Tel : 062-226-2374, 1050

www.gwangjuic.or.kr 

These institutions offer programs aimed at very different groups. Chosun and Chonnam Universities offer academic Korean for people who are wishing to attend university programs. These programs are intensive and very thorough in the instruction. The Gwangju International Center’s Korean program is very relaxed yet gives the students basic knowledge in the communication forms they need.

Borderless Village, Migrant Family Welfare Association and Rainbow Multi-Cultural Family are multi-faceted organizations that aim to increase the acceptance of migrant workers and multicultural families into Korean society as a whole. The language programs are very similar to what is offered by the GIC but tend to lean to assisting migrant women gain fluency that assists in running a household in Korea.

Regardless of what your specific goals are, it is never too late to try to make yourself understood by Koreans in Korean. A combination of directed study in an academic institution and self study has helped many foreign residents become able Korean speakers. Once you are able to effectively communicate in Korea doors are opened that would previously have been locked shut.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is forcing local high schools to shorten the mandatory night self study time at school and prohibiting elite classes and classes taking place earlier than regular hours.

The plan will be discussed at a public hearing and will be implemented from March. Under the new structure, after school classes must end by 7 pm. The schools may not offer lectures earlier than the original government time line.

Middle schools may not have extra classes other than regular classes. Classes during Saturdays and Sundays are also prohibited.

The office is enforcing such policy to protect the health of the students and public education.