February 2014

Taking Korean classes is one of the helpful methods for learning. Classes provide a schedule, curriculum, and an opportunity to practice. Plus, you can meet new people and possibly learn more about Korean culture from your teachers. If you don’t have the budget for one, or not ready to invest in a full time language course yet, here are some of the Korean classes around Seoul to help you get started.

Sookmyung Korean Education Volunteers

This volunteer group started in 2005 and is made up of a group of current Sookmyung University students. The teachers go through a 6-month program before they start teaching and serve as teachers for one and a half years. Classes are held every Saturday at the Sookmyung University campus from 3pm to 5pm. There are six different levels to suit your language skills and new books are published every two months. The teachers also organize various cultural events and out of town trips so the students can interact with students from other levels.

☞ Location:Sookmyung University, Center of Continuing Education Building (100 Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul). Click here for campus map: http://e.sookmyung.ac.kr/contents/contents.jsp?cmsCd=CM0317

☞ Schedule: Saturdays, 3pm-5pm (year round, no registration required)

☞ Cost: 1,000 won for a class and 2,000 to 3,000 for a book

☞ Directions:Sookmyung University Station (Line 4) Exit#10 or Hyochang Park Station (Line 6) Exit#2 or Namyeong Station (Line 1) Exit#1

For the map, go here:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=225856010155&set=o.37465297519&type=3 (photo)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=117543781605047&set=o.37465297519&type=3 (video)

☞ Contact: https://www.facebook.com/groups/37465297519/

Korea Foundation

The Korea Foundation was established in 1995 to promote better understanding of Korea within the international community and to increase friendship and goodwill between Korea and the rest of the world through various exchange programs. The foundation offers free Korean language classes taught by volunteers. However, students are required to purchase textbooks. Class size is limited to 20 students. Those who wish to take the classes should take a level test which is available once a month.

☞ Location: Mirae Asset Center 1Building, 19th Floor, 67 Suha-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

☞ Schedule: 6 weeks per semester, Monday, Wednesday, Friday

☞ Level Test Schedule for 2013: Feb. 13 / Mar. 29 / May 13 / June 26 / Aug. 12 / Sept. 30 / Nov. 13 / Dec. 27

☞ Directions: Jonggak Station Exit #4 (Seoul Subway Line 1) or Euljiro 1-ga Station Exit#1 (Seoul Subway Line 2)

View map here: http://imgur.com/tcPLbJ5

☞ Cost: Free (textbook to be purchased by student)

☞ Contact: kfvngood@gmail.com

Mannam Volunteer Association

Mannam Korean Classs is one of the free cultural classes and clubs provided by Mannam Volunteer Association. The classes are held every Saturday at 3 different locations i.e. Guro, Isu and Imun. They provide from several levels from basic to advanced and the students will be assigned as per the level test on the first day. Every semester, there will be events and volunteering works so the students can interact with other students in different centers and teachers.

☞Location: Guro, Imun, Isu

☞Directions: Guro center located at Guro Digital Complex station (line 2), Isu center located at Isu station (line 4 & 7), Imun center located at Hankuk University station (line 1)

☞Cost:Free (contribution for 10,000won of utility fee per semester requested), textbook to be purchased by student

☞Schedule:Saturdays, 10 weeks per semester

☞Contact: mannamkorean@gmail.com

☞More info: http://mannamkorean.blogspot.kr/

Galwol Community Welfare Center

The Hangul Kongbubang is a free Korean class organized by a group of volunteers. ‘Hangul Kongbubang’ literally means ‘Korean Study Room’. The organization started in October 2000 at a small study room, and later moved to the present location at Galwol Community Welfare Center in December 2004. All of the teachers are volunteers who work or study on weekdays and gather together on Saturdays with the shared passion for helping foreigners learn Korean. The Hangul Kongbubang has an open enrollment policy, and students may register at anytime just by arriving 10 minutes early for class and filling out a form.

☞ Location: Galwol Community Welfare Center (갈월 종합 사회 복지관), 51-19 Galwol-dong (144 Huamdong-gil), Yongsan-gu, Seoul

☞Schedule: 4:00-5:30 PM each Saturday (levels 0 to 4), and 7:30-9:00 PM on Thursdays (levels 1 and 2)

☞Cost:1,000 won donation per class

☞Directions:Sookmyung University Station (Line 4) Exit #2. Walk about 200 meters, the Galwol community center is on the left in a white building next to the bus stop.

☞Contact:안상현 010-6807-8985 or Jo-Anna Lynch <smileyjkl@hotmail.com>

☞More Info: http://kongbubang.wordpress.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/kongbubang/

Conversational Learning Seoul (CLS)

Conversational Learning Seoul is a philanthropic group in Seoul dedicated to providing quality and free Korean classes for the local foreign population. This organization also organizes events and trips for the students.

☞Location: Yein Space, Gangnam

☞Schedule: Saturdays

☞Cost: Free

☞Directions: From exit 10 walk STRAIGHT and turn LEFT at the Body Shop. CROSS the street and walk BEHIND Club Mass. (You should be walking through a large alley filled with hofs, bars, and restaurants, cafes). Continue STRAIGHT until you see Saboten. And then you can see the YEIN Space is on the 3rd floor.

☞Contact: questioncls@naver.com

☞More info: http://www.clskorea.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/clsorg

Haram Korean Class

☞Location: Dongguk University (either HyeHwa Hall or ManHae Hall)

☞Directions: Dongguk University Station, Exit#6 (Seoul Subway Line#3) or Chungmuro Station, Exit#1 (Seoul Subway Line 3 and 4)

Go here for the map: http://www.dguharam.com/intro_way_map

☞Cost: Free

☞Schedule: Saturday 11am to 1pm (no registration required)

☞Contact: beyondharam@hotmail.com, 010-2073-7889 최연호 선생님6hiphop@naver.com

☞More info: http://dguharam2009.nayana.kr/ (Korean only) or https://www.facebook.com/groups/beyondharam/

Seoul Global Center

The Seoul Global Center, which is run by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is a comprehensive support center for foreign residents in Seoul. It offers services and programs to help expats settle in Seoul. The Global Village Centers are located in areas where there are high concentrations of foreigners. In addition to their volunteer programs, Korean language classes and various cultural activities, they offer Koreans and foreigners opportunities to get to know each other and create a better community.

☞Location: Seoul Global Center, 3rd floor of the Korea Press Center

☞Schedule: 12 weeks, schedule varies by level. New sessions begin in February, May, and September. (Registration and level test required)

☞Cost: Free (book to be purchased by student)

☞Directions: City Hall Station (Seoul Subway Lines 1 or 2) Exit 4 Press Center direction, or Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit#5

☞Contact: Chris (Hyunseon) Ahn by phone 02-2075-4140 or email hsahn3003@gmail.com

☞More info: http://global.seoul.go.kr/

Yeonnam Global Village Center

☞Location: Yeonnam Global Village Center Classrooms

☞Schedule: Weekdays, afternoon and evening (Registration in person required)

☞Cost: Free (book to be purchased by student)

☞Directions: Hongik Uni Station (Seoul Subway Line 2) Exit 2

☞Contact: 02-6406-8152 / E-mail: chrismo07@sba.seoul.kr

☞More info: http://global.seoul.go.kr/yeonnam/

Itaewon Global Village Center

☞Location: Itaewon Global Village Center Seminar room

☞Schedule: 10 weeks, schedule varies by level. New sessions begin in January, April, July and October. (Registration in person required)

☞Cost: Free (book to be purchased by student)

☞Directions: Itaewon Station, Exit 2 (Seoul Subway Line 6), walk straight about 200m and look for the Hannam Bldg. on your left

☞Contact: itaewon@sba.seoul.kr or 02) 2199-8883~5

☞More info: http://global.seoul.go.kr/itaewon/

Yeoksam Global Village Center

☞Location: Yeoksam Global Village Center Meeting Room, 829-20 Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

☞Schedule: 16 weeks per semester, schedule varies by level. (Registration and level test required)

☞Cost: Free (book to be purchased by student)

☞Directions: Gangnam Station, Exit 1(Seoul Subway Line 2). Walk straight 200m. Take a right on the first traffic light. Walk 800m until you find the BMS Building. The center is on the 5th floor of the Yeoksam 1 Cultural Center next to Pitti Cafe.

☞Contact: 02-3453-9038~9 or email to yeoksam@sba.seoul.kr.

☞More info: http://global.seoul.go.kr/yeoksam/

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Songpa-gu is looking for foreign nationals who will work as a tourism promotion ambassadors for Songpa, the city of international cultural tourism, in order to improve overseas promotion and increase the interest and participation of foreign tourists on Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival, the festival that represents Songpa.

Foreign nationals residing in Korea are eligible to apply.

· Applicant requirements : Foreigners and overseas students residing in Korea (priority to applicants in their 20s and 30s)

· Personnel organization : approx. 50 ambassadors

- Teams will either be in 2-in-1 (Korean + Foreigner) or foreigner solo

- Each country will have 1-2 teams

· Date of Commission: In April 2013 (at the 1st anniversary of special tourism zone). One year period from April 2013 to April 2014.

Description of Promotion Ambassador's Responsibilities

· Promote news and information about Songpa’s tourism, festival, concerts and events in their own countries.

· Participate in the creation of promotional materials for Songpa’s tourism marketing (videos and etc.)

· Participate in tourism promotion programs that include the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival and special tourism district festivals.

· Monitoring and offering suggestions for tourism sites and festivals of Songpa

· Idea contribution for better city policies, etc

Benefits of being a tourism ambassador

· It is an honorary position without compensation. The ambassadors will be treated with utmost respect.

· If you participate in the creation of promotional materials or festivals, related expenses will be provided within budget.

· You are eligible to participate in the Songpa Fame Tour (March, April)

· If you are a college student living in Songpa-gu, you are given priority for part time jobs during vacation.

· Free tickets to cultural and art concerts hosted by Songpa

· Activities are recognized as volunteer work hours

Application:
Application Period : 2013.02.01 – 2013.03.08
Application Form : Download application form here
Email your application to esperson@songpa.go.kr
Announcement of Results : 2013.03.22
※ Inquiries: Songpa International Tourism City Promotion Team
(02-2147-2100, esperson@songpa.go.kr )

Pages

Korean Travel Online - KTO or Arirang Radio 20130228

Korean Travel Online - Good Stay and Good Food at the Gayawon

Korean Travel Online - Free Korean Classes in Seoul

Korean Travel Online - Songpa-gu is Looking for Tourism Promotion Ambassadors