해외 한국학과 한국어교육의 전망

Abstract

On the View of Disseminating Korean Studies and Teaching Korean Language Chung, Kwang This study examines the problems of disseminating Korean Studies overseas, especially the various problems of Korean language education, and compares them with the history of foreign language education on the Korean peninsula. Korean Studies is not a specialized field of study treating a minor nation of the world; rather, it is recognized as a discipline necessary for understanding the economic power that Korea has become. Many countries of the world are striving to establish Korean Studies in their universities and are making efforts to gain a proper understanding of Korea. However, I must admit that to our shame we in Korea have not established a proper definition for Korean Studies ourselves. And what is more, I have to say that the research achievements of Korean Studies have not been systematized, nor has the knowledge absolutely necessary for the people of the world to understand Korea been properly researched. This is a shameful state of affairs and something which Korean Studies specialists must devote themselves to studying and correcting as soon as possible. In Korean language education, the inadequacy of teaching materials is a very serious problem. The textbooks compiled by government and semi-government agencies relying on Korean-language educators in foreign countries and subsidized with enormous sums of money are inadequate, and there are a number of reasons why this is true. Among the things I point out, I emphasize the fact that textbooks must necessarily be centered on Korean dialogs actually needed in real life. I took the case of Lao Qita(老乞大) which was a elementary Chinese spoken language textbook used in Sayeokwon(司譯院) during Joseon dynasty. Korean Studies is rapidly progressing throughout the world. Faced with this reality, Korean Studies specialists need to have a strong sense of responsibility and make increased efforts to develop the field.