OKA News
The Overseas Koreans Agency invited Korean language school teachers who are taking the lead in cultivating the identities of next-generation overseas Koreans to train and strengthen their capabilities from Jan. 8 to 14. A total of 206 teachers from 47 countries participated in the training at The K Hotel Seoul in Seocho Ward. At the training, the teachers learned about various Korean language teaching methods and how to utilize educational technology, which is in high demand in the field, and shared cases of excellent Korean language school operations. By participating in programs to experience Korea’s history and culture, they also bolstered their network among themselves. “Teachers of overseas Korean language schools are modern-day independence fighters who strive to cultivate the identities of the next generation of overseas Koreans in difficult environments and are valuable partners in implementing the government’s overseas Korean policy,” OKA Commissioner Lee Key-cheol said at the opening ceremony on the first day. “We have rationalized Korean language school operating costs and teacher service fees, and the budget for Korean language schools has been significantly increased,” he said. “Cultivating the identities of the next generation of Koreans is one of the important policy goals of the OKA. We will strive to ensure that this training will help improve the professionalism and boost the morale of Korean language school teachers, who are valuable partners of the OKA.” In his congratulatory address, Lee Bae-yong, chairman of the National Education Commission, said: “It is thanks to the Korean school teachers who have dedicated themselves to teaching Korean language, our history and culture that overseas Koreans have maintained their identities around the world and raised the value of Korea. If there is any area where we can provide support in the mid to long term, we will be interested in collaborating.” Lim Jong-seong, senior vice chairman of the World Korean Democratic Conference of the Democratic Party of Korea, added, “As the role of Korean language school teachers is very significant in cultivating the identities and strengthening the capabilities of the next generation of overseas Koreans, we will ensure that there is more interest and support from the National Assembly.”