Current Status and Improvement Measures of Korean Cultural Education for General-Purpose Korean-Language Learners

Abstract

Recent years have seen a significant increase in Korean-language cultural education studies, in recognition of the necessity and importance of the field, and the scope of these studies has diversified. However, cultural education has not yet been actively addressed in educational settings. This study examines the current status of Korean cultural education for general-purpose Korean-language learners and proposes improvement measures. To this end, it first reviews the necessity of and existing research on cultural education for general-purpose learners. It then analyzes the cultural components of Korean-language textbooks, examining the topics and content related to culture, presentation methods, and inclusion of intercultural education. Furthermore, it conducts a survey of Korean-language teachers and learners to identify the current status of cultural education in Korean-language classrooms, as well as their satisfaction levels and demands. Based on these findings, it proposes seven directions for the future implementation of cultural education in classrooms. This study is significant because it critically analyzes the cultural content of major textbooks for general-purpose Korean-language learners, identifies issues, and proposes measures for Korean cultural education based on the specific status and needs of teachers and learners.