Korean Language & Culture Classes:

Fall 2024

Classes starting Sept. 12-19, 2024

King Sejong Institute Washington, D.C.

Registration is now open for Fall 2024 Korean language & culture classes from the King Sejong Institute Washington, D.C.! We're excited to offer more than 20 courses in total, including in-person in DC, a full slate of Beginner and Intermediate options, and a special preparatory course for TOPIK II, the second half of all-important official Test of Proficiency in Korean! Most courses will remain online/remote, for which there's no location restriction and always full recordings. Find complete details, status updates, and self-placement reading samples on our website, or see the basic schedule below. Please share this announcement!

The KSIDC is a DC-based nonprofit organization which operates Korean language classes and educational programs in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. Registration for all KSIDC classes is open to the public, and all those who wish to improve their Korean are welcome! For more details, see our nondiscrimination policy below.

Overview

Schedule

The Fall 2024 session offers a majority of courses that meet online/remote with regular video meetings via Zoom or other platforms, generally during weekday evenings with some Saturday morning and afternoon options, as well as two in-person/hybrid groups that include meetings at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. In-person/hybrid and online courses cover the same content and meet for the same amount of time; all courses meet once per week for a total of 24 class hours (12 meetings total) and will finish by mid December at the latest, but possibly earlier if there are no cancellations. All online courses include the option to review full class recordings for a period of time after each meeting; in-person class meetings do not include recordings, but do include other perks: light Korean refreshments during every meeting and a final class catered Korean dinner party. In the future, the majority of courses will remain online/remote as we gradually resume in-person options.

Fees 

The registration fee for new students is $240 (online) or $250 (in-person/hybrid) per complete course (comprising 24 class hours/12 meetings). Returning students receive a discounted rate of $220 (online) or $230 (in-person/hybrid). Certain courses trialing a new textbook under consideration have a further reduced rate (details below). Textbooks are required for all courses, and can be purchased independently or through the KSIDC for $45 with registration (excluding for Special Topic, Advanced, and certain regular courses, for which books should be purchased independently; details below). All courses are contingent upon a minimum enrollment, and tuition is fully refundable until the day after the first class meeting. Fees may change in the future, as we adjust our online/offline pricing.

Textbooks

The KSIDC is pleased to offer textbooks for purchase (excluding for Special Topic, Advanced, and certain regular course groups using the Sogang Compact series, noted below), giving local learners the option to conveniently purchase textbooks. The cost for textbooks from the KSIDC for all regular sequence courses (Beginner through Intermediate) is $45 per complete set (Sogang student book, workbook, and grammar booklet together). However, textbooks purchased from the KSIDC MUST be picked up at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. on one of the designated pickup dates (we cannot ship individual textbooks). Non-local students are thus encouraged to purchase their books independently. View a complete reference list of textbooks with links for this session here. 

This fall two particular groups will also continue our trial of the Sogang Compact Series textbooks, which we are evaluating, instead of using the regular Sogang series books. Those registering for either Beginner 2 Group B or Intermediate 2 Group A will need to purchase the necessary textbooks on their own if they don't already have them, as we do not have them for sale just yet. Tuition for these two group only is further discounted by $20 for first-time registrants to offset the additional textbook cost. These groups will cover the same essential content as other groups at the same level, as the books are similar but reorganized, so registering for one of these will not limit future study options. See the textbook overview here for details on all textbooks.

In-Person/Hybrid Courses

We are excited to offer more in-person classes this fall, in the form of two Beginner 1 hybrid groups (C and D) that will mostly meet in-person with some online/remote meetings expected towards the end of the session. For full details on these course options, please refer to the announcement on our website. We plan to resume more robust in-person options in future sessions.

Eligibility

KSIDC classes are open to anyone, but registrants must be at least age 15 at the start (a parental consent form is also required for those under age 18). Classes are generally taught in English, except for some advanced options. Parents of minors should be aware that most other registrants are adults and most classes involve some virtual breakout rooms or pair work. We hope to offer youth classes in the future, so please stay tuned and join our mailing list for updates, Parents. See our nondiscrimination policy for more details. 

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Perks 

Students with 75% attendance or better receive a certificate of completion upon completion of the course. All online courses include the option to review class recordings for a period of time after each meeting. Students can also arrange to meet before or after class with their instructor during virtual or in-person office hours, as available. In-person classes do not include recordings (although we may add this capability later) but instructors are usually available before class and in-person courses also include light Korean refreshments during the breaktime of every meeting as well as a final class catered Korean dinner party. Although refreshments and the dinner are not possible remotely, online courses instead feature reduced average class size to help facilitate online learning and greater individualized attention, in addition to more schedule and viewing options.

Schedule of Classes

Complete class description, textbook, and placement information is on our website. If a class is full, sometimes from the start due to continuing students, join the waitlist! Depending on demand, additional groups may be added. Those on the waitlist will be notified first of any new options. All lettered "groups" cover the same content within each level, but may occur on different schedules or with different instructors.

Regular Sequence Courses

Beginner 1, Group A (Tuesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Eunjung Park, starting Sept. 17 ONLINE

Beginner 1, Group B (Tuesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hyunah Kim, starting Sept. 17 ONLINE

Beginner 1, Group C (Thursday) 4:45-6:45pm/6-8pm EDT.

Instructor: Eunhae Ro, starting Sept. 12 HYBRID Details above.

Beginner 1, Group D (Thursday) 4:45-6:45pm/6-8pm EDT.

Instructor: Yun Jang, starting Sept. 12 HYBRID Details above.

Beginner 1, Group E (Saturdays) 10am-12pm EDT. 

Instructor: Heecho Kim, starting Sept. 14 ONLINE

Beginner 2, Group A (Tuesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Heecho Kim, starting Sept. 17 ONLINE

Beginner 2, Group B (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Dae Yong Kim, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

Uses the Sogang Compact Series textbook. Details above.

Beginner 2, Group C (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Jiyoung Yim, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

Beginner 2, Group D (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Juyoung Park, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

Beginner 2, Group E (Saturdays) 10am-12pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hannah Chong, starting Sept. 14 ONLINE

Beginner 3, Group A (Tuesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hannah Chong, starting Sept. 17 ONLINE

Beginner 3, Group B (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Heecho Kim, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

Beginner 3, Group C (Thursdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Keum Sook Grace Yang, starting Sept. 19 ONLINE

Beginner 3, Group D (Saturdays) 1-3pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hannah Chong, Sept. 14 ONLINE

Intermediate 1, Group A (Tuesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Keum Sook Grace Yang, starting Sept. 17 ONLINE

Intermediate 1, Group B (Thursdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Eunjung Park, starting Sept. 19 ONLINE

Tentatively full! Join the WAITLIST.

Intermediate 1, Group C (Saturdays) 1-3pm EDT. 

Instructor: Heecho Kim, starting Sept. 14 ONLINE

Intermediate 2, Group A (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hei Sook Yoo, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

Uses the Sogang Compact Series textbook. Details above.

Intermediate 2, Group B (Thursdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Jiyoung Yim, starting Sept. 19 ONLINE

Intermediate 2 - Extended + Review (Wednesdays) 6-8pm EDT. 

Instructor: Hyunah Kim, starting Sept. 18 ONLINE

This special course option reviews all Intermediate 2 content and in particular covers the second half of the Sogang 2B textbook. 

Tentatively full! Join the WAITLIST.

Intermediate 3 (TBD)

Intermediate 3 is not currently slated to be offered in Fall 2024, but if there is substantial demand it might be added. Join the request list below to express your interest!

Join the REQUEST LIST.

Special Topic

TOPIK II Prep Course (Mondays) 6-8pm EDT

Instructor: Hei Sook Yoo, starting Sept. 16 ONLINE

This course covers the second, more advanced TOPIK II portion of the all-important official Test of Proficiency in Korean exam, and is suitable for upper intermediate or advanced learners. See above for details; please email adam@ksiwashingtondc.org to review a course syllabus for context on how TOPIK may be relevant for your future study, work, or travel in Korea. Prerequisite: completion of at least the KSIDC Intermediate 1 or 2 courses or any Advanced course. This course would complement concurrent enrollment in an Intermediate 2 course (additional $20 discount applies).

Advanced

A dedicated Advanced course is not currently slated to be offered in Fall 2024, however the TOPIK II Prep Course above may be of interest to Advanced learners of Korean, as the relevant exam assesses intermediate and Advanced proficiency. 

Find class descriptions, textbooks, and placement information on our website.

Registration / More Information

All registration is first come, first served by email request, until maximum enrollment. Please first check the class status on our website (updated weekdays). To submit a registration request, indicate your full name and the specific class/group for which you would like to register in an email to Adam Wojciechowicz at adam@ksiwashingtondc.org.

You will receive a reply with details on registration / payment forms within 1-3 days, in the case that the class is still open--thanks for your patience! If a class is full, we strongly recommend joining the waitlist, as additional sections might be added based on demand, or space may open up. There is no location restriction for online courses (but all class times are EDT).

PLEASE NOTE: Registration requests are taken in the order received until a class is full, at which point a waitlist option will be added to the website and existing registration requests will be confirmed. Classes may become full before we are able to update the website. Joining the waitlist is a good idea, as enrollment often shifts before the start of class and space opens up. Some classes fill up very quickly, especially with smaller online groups, so we appreciate your patience and understanding. For any questions, contact Adam at adam@ksiwashingtondc.org or (202) 587-6168 (email is best).

Nondiscrimination Policy

The King Sejong Institute Washington, D.C. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to its students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission and registration policies, support related to registration costs, and other school-administered programs. All are welcome!