태국에서의 한류와 한국어교육

Abstract

In this study, we aim to examine the overall state of the Korean wave (the phenomenon of the remarkable popularity of Korea’s pop culture), as well as Korean language education in Thailand, and to seek ways to improve the Korean language education based on the recognition and interest in Korean pop culture by professors and students who are majoring in the Korean language. Beginning in early 200s, the Korean wave and Korean language education in Thailand grew in significance, so much that the Thai’s interest in learning the Korean language can be considered a major part of the Korean wave itself. However, its quantitative growth has not been coupled with qualitative growth and improvement in educational methods. Due to the influence of the Korean wave, many Thai students choose to study the Korean language for economic reasons, aside from their interest in the Korean culture. However, it is a fact that there is a shortage of educators specializing in Korean language education, and the professional knowledge and diversity of expertise of professors are also big problems to overcome. In addition, there are few materials available for the textbook‐based teaching and learning of Korean. Thailand’s government is not trying to strengthen the qualifications of Korean language professors. In accordance with this measure, Thailand’s government should also maintain their support in cultivating more professors who can ably teach the Korean language. Moreover, it should provide support as much as it can, especially in terms of providing textbooks and the development of learning materials. The Korean wave remains the greatest motivation for many students to select the Korean language as their major, and the Korean pop culture can also be a good learning tool. Accordingly, it is therefore important to find effective means to integrate the elements of the Korean wave in the teaching of the Korean language. Korean organizations that are related to Korean language education should maintain a close relationship with Thailand’s government and university authorities, so that policies covering Korean language education can independently and ably develop in Thailand.