Development of Customized Korean Language Textbooks for 960,000 Foreign Workers Begins

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, National Institute of the Korean Language, and Ministry of Justice Collaborate
Directly Listening to Opinions of Foreign Workers
To Be Used as a Textbook in the Social Integration Program

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language announced on May 16 that, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, they will newly develop an intermediate-level "Korean Language Textbook for Foreign Workers" to help foreign workers adapt to Korean society and improve their language skills.

Myanmar and Uzbekistan workers are receiving job theory training from the Korea Forest Service. Photo by Yonhap News

The textbook to be developed this year will consist of "Intermediate 1" and "Intermediate 2." The plan is to actively address language expressions, cultural elements, and communication issues that foreign workers frequently encounter in their daily lives and at work by meeting with workers from various job sites. The focus will be on developing communication skills specific to each occupation, as well as intercultural communication abilities.

The textbook for foreign workers will be used as a specialized resource within the Social Integration Program. While existing Social Integration Program textbooks are designed for general migrant learners, this new textbook is differentiated by being specifically tailored to the characteristics and environment of "foreign workers" as a distinct group. In addition, the textbook will be carefully structured to take into account the workers' countries, races, and cultures.

An official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language stated, "We expect that this textbook, which reflects on-site needs and is practical in nature, will be of great help to foreign workers," adding, "We will continue to develop practical, demand-driven Korean language education materials through inter-agency cooperation in the future."

Additionally, an official from the Ministry of Justice emphasized, "We expect that by acquiring language skills useful in the workplace through customized Korean language textbooks, foreign workers' communication abilities at work will be strengthened." The official also expressed hope that practical textbooks will be developed to enhance the effectiveness of social integration programs for foreign workers, such as the special training courses for skilled workers and field-oriented industrial education operated by the Ministry of Justice.

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