This study aims to provide a model content-based syllabus based on the results of a needs research conducted on learners of Korean and Korean teachers in schools in Uzbekistan in order to design a syllabus for Korean language classes in elementary and...
This study aims to provide a model content-based syllabus based on the results of a needs research conducted on learners of Korean and Korean teachers in schools in Uzbekistan in order to design a syllabus for Korean language classes in elementary and middle schools in Uzbekistan.
In Uzbekistan, where a relatively large number of Soviet Koreans reside, Korean education is supported by the Korean government and many Korean classes are provided to meet the needs of leaners in Uzbekistan
While the existing general-purpose texts tailored for overseas Koreans are unsuitable for usage in the multiracial classrooms in Uzbekistan, there is also a lack of Korean texts that meet the needs of learners and are suitable for local students. Therefore, this study analyzes the local linguistic/cultural situation and reflects the requests of teachers and leaners gathered from a local needs study and uses the results as objective data to design a syllabus.
The needs study was conducted on 354 learners of Korean and 19 Korean teachers, which amounts to 373 people, in Tashkent and schools in Tashkent where numerous Korean classes are offered. The findings indicated that Korean teachers in Tashkent called for Korean texts containing interesting topics and Korean culture. Furthermore, they answered that the syllabus should consist of general knowledge reflecting the learner's needs and their interests.
In addition, considering the fact that schools in Uzbekistan are composed of various ethnic groups, the syllabus should target not only Soviet Koreans but also learners from diverse cultural backgrounds..
It was found that Uzbekistan learners thought that interest was the most important factor in studying Korean.
Also, Soviet Koreans, as well as other ethnic groups, are positive towards learning the Korean language but neither group has frequent opportunities to communicate in Korean.
Based on the results of the needs study, this study designs a syllabus which aims to be theme-based and learners-oriented.
Themes in the syllabus were selected based on the needs of learners and teachers.
Furthermore, considering the local situation and the Uzbekistan language, this study suggests a model syllabus targeting both Soviet Koreans and learners from other ethnic groups without being restricted to only Soviet Korean learners, given that Korean education should be Korean as a foreign language for students from various cultural backgrounds.