K. Mi Tak, CoordinatorThe SAIS Korean Language Program offers a progressive and skills-based learning experience for graduate students in the fields of international relations and/or development. Through innovative classroom activities, students are given the opportunity to develop and refine their Korean skills and to increase their understanding of Korean culture, politics, economics, and social issues by applying authentic language materials to their academic courses and professional interests. Typical classroom activities include drills on grammar and vocabulary, classroom debates, and professional discussions. In all activities, the focus is on speaking, grammar and vocabulary development, and listening skills in order to prepare the student to achieve their language goals. The development of all language skills necessary to meet proficiency requirements are incorporated into the program (Speaking, Reading, and Listening). Our basic Korean language program consists of various course levels, tailored to meet the students’ language needs. We welcome both students who need to take classes to prepare for the SAIS Language Proficiency Exam (proficiency-track students), and students who are taking Korean in order to learn the language or further enhance their existing skills (non-proficiency-track students). In addition to the basic program, we also offer higher-level post-proficiency courses for students who have already passed the Korean language requirement exam (Korean Proficiency Exam), or for “non-proficiency track” students who are placed at a higher level than the basic language program. Proficiency requirement The Korean language can be used to meet the MA language graduation requirements of the Functional Studies programs and Korean Studies. In order to pass the exams, students need to obtain the following levels per language skill: Listening | Speaking | Reading | Intermediate Low | Intermediate Mid | Intermediate Mid |
PHD students also need to pass the Korean language reading examination at the above levels in order to meet their second foreign language requirement.
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