Retired Teachers to Provide One-on-One Korean Language Education for Immigrant Students, Bridging Support Gaps

Seoul Education Office Strengthens Korean Language Support
Launching "Immediate Support Korean Language Classroom" and "Visiting Korean Language Classroom Linked with Retired Teachers"

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education is strengthening one-on-one Korean language education for students from immigrant backgrounds by utilizing retired teachers.

On June 19, the office announced plans to launch the "Immediate Support Korean Language Classroom" and the "Visiting Korean Language Classroom Linked with Retired Teachers," targeting schools with relatively insufficient Korean language education support and students who have been excluded from existing support programs.

With the number of students from immigrant backgrounds in Seoul continuing to rise, the demand for Korean language education support in schools has also increased significantly. In particular, schools without special multicultural classes or bilingual instructors face challenges in supporting newly arrived immigrant and foreign students in adapting to school life and participating in classes. Due to the limited scale of existing support programs, some students have also been unable to receive assistance.

The office is expanding customized Korean language education by sending professional instructors and retired teachers directly to schools, ensuring that all students from immigrant backgrounds can receive necessary support regardless of their place of residence or school environment.

First, the "Immediate Support Korean Language Classroom" will provide up to three months of tailored Korean language education to newly arrived immigrant and foreign elementary students who have been in Korea for less than six months and are enrolled in schools located in areas with a high concentration of immigrant students. Instructors with teaching certificates and expertise in Korean language education will visit schools to deliver the lessons. Comprehension-based subjects, such as Korean language, will be offered on a one-on-one individualized basis, while activity-based subjects, such as arts and physical education, will encourage participation with peers to help students adapt to school life and build friendships.

The "Visiting Korean Language Classroom Linked with Retired Teachers" is being launched to provide additional support for approximately 100 students from immigrant backgrounds who were previously ineligible for the office's existing Korean language education programs. Retired elementary and secondary school teachers will be recruited as volunteers through the Government Employees Pension Service and matched one-on-one with students. Customized guidance will be provided two to three times a week (two hours per session), aiming to fill the gaps in existing support programs and assist students in actively participating in their studies.

To ensure the stable operation and enhance the professionalism of the program, the Seoul Multicultural Education Support Center, under the education office, has established a cooperative system with related organizations, including the Education Volunteer Support Center and the Government Employees Pension Service.

Superintendent Jeong Geunsik stated, "The Korean language is the most important starting point for students from immigrant backgrounds to adapt to school life and participate in learning. By utilizing the experience and expertise of retired teachers who understand the school environment well, we will ensure that any student in need can receive timely support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.