한국 사회의 소수 민족(ethnic minority), ‘코시안’(Kosian) 아동의 사례를 통한 다문화 교육의 방향 탐색

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The number of multi-ethnic, multi-cultural members, such as immigrant labors, international
marriage women and Kosians are gradually increasing in Korean society. Now it might be said that
Korea has become a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. The results of earlier studies on this
topic suggest that multi-ethnic, multi-cultural members are having great difficulties in adjusting to
Korean culture and social systems.
Especially, from the perspective of educational opportunities, Kosian children seem to be in a
severe situation, although they will make up a significant portion of the population in Korea in near
future. Mothers of Kosians do not adjust themselves to Korean society and culture, but they take full
charge of the birth, bearing, and education of their children.
According to the analysis of the educational opportunities of Kosian children using variables such
as access, experiences and attainment in schooling, there seem to be little training at home in most
families before the children attend school. And dropout rates of Kosians are higher than those of
children whose parents are both native Koreans.
Even when they attend school, there are actually no supplementary programs for them, and their
educational opportunities seem to depend entirely on teachers' voluntary concerns and supports. Also,
many of them are experiencing exclusion from peer groups due to their colors. The academic
performance of Kosians is very low, and people have relatively negative images of them. These gaps
can become wider and result in serious social problems as the Kosian becomes older.
Some multi-ethnic and cultural countries, such as America, England, and Japan, are implementing
new educational policies for ethnic minorities. Through various kinds of civil educational policies,
these countries are also working to construct a society in which people of various groups can coexist
peacefully.
Now it is the very time that Korea should implement some kinds of multi-ethnic and
multi-cultural policies on education. These multi-ethnic and multi-cultural policies on education may
solve the problem of the gap between native Korean and some ethnic minorities, and help to
promote the idea of peaceful co-existence.