The Department of World Languages and Cultures announces its newest language offering: Korean. Going forward, we will be offering Beginning and Intermediate level courses. For more information, please contact Dr. Wing Shan Ho by email or in Schmitt Hall room 222.
The World Languages and Cultures department offers an Asian Languages and Cultures major with a concentration in Korean and a Korean language minor. The Korean Program offers language courses at all levels, as well as courses on K-pop and popular culture and daily life in Korea. These courses enable students to achieve proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Korean and to acquire a fundamental knowledge of Korean culture. Students will be equipped with the necessary language skills and cultural understanding to further their studies or achieve their Asia-related career goals.
Our Korean courses also count towards the Asian Studies Minor and the Asian Languages Minor.
Why Major or Double Major in this Program
Companies do business with people from all kinds of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Professionals who can form personal connections with Korean-speaking clients have a distinctive and marketable advantage. Because foreign language skills are instrumental to career advancement, a second major in Asian Language is an excellent complement to majors in other areas of study. Students who pursue a complementary major in an Asian language will receive a more well-rounded education, develop a wider range of communicative and cultural skills, and enjoy broader career options.
Double-majoring is achievable; plan ahead and talk to the Asian Languages and Cultures Program Coordinator as early as possible.
What Jobs Can I Get with Korean Language Skills
Korean language proficiency opens the door to many opportunities. Below are some examples of employers that value foreign language degree holders.
Business
International corporations and companies that maintain connections with South Korea need employees with Korean language skills.
Government
The government is always seeking new talent in foreign language and diplomacy. The Korean language is “essential to America’s engagement with the world” (Critical Language Scholarship Program). Language students can also pursue careers in Security, Intelligence, Immigration, Law Enforcement, Customs and Borders, and Journalism.
Education
Korean language proficiency is needed for those wishing to become a Korean language educator and help prepare students to compete in a global economy. It is also possible to pursue a teaching career in South Korea. Click here for more information on teaching programs.
Travel and Tourism
Successful travel and tourism businesses in the USA and in South Korea need people who can connect and relate with tourists on a more personal level. Korean language skills open many doors in the hospitality industry.
Interpretation and Translation
Translators and interpreters can get jobs translating legal, medical, or literary documents, and even making movie subtitles. Social work is another area that needs foreign language skills.
Research
Professionals with a foreign language and culture background can contribute to research in the Social Sciences, which often requires the ability to interpret cultural-based data. Those pursuing graduate degrees in various areas also find it helpful to be able to read and communicate in multiple languages when conducting research.
Student Life
The Korean program organizes a variety of fun and exciting cultural activities, such as kimchi workshops, Korean Day, the Chuseok celebration, and the Seollal Lunar New Year celebration, field trips to Korean restaurants and Koreatown in NYC, etc. The Korean Culture and Language Association provides a variety of opportunities for students to participate in cultural events.
Placement Test
Students who have prior experience in Korean should complete the online placement test and inform the Asian Languages and Cultures Program Coordinator of their test score for proper placement.
Community Service and Experiential Learning
The Korean Program is committed to promoting diversity to the community and providing experiential learning. We engage community members by providing cultural activities at various occasions during which students learn through serving and doing. For example, we celebrated the Lunar New Year with the local community and read stories in Korean and English to children at Montclair Public Library.
Study Abroad
Click here to explore study abroad programs.
If you would like to learn more about the Korean Program at Montclair State University, contact Dr. Wing Shan Ho, Coordinator of the Asian Languages Programs.
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Students making kimbap.
Students learning Korean fan dance.
Korean Faculty:
- Don Bai: Adjunct Professor
- Yongjun Choi: Adjunct Professor
- Hey-Ryoun Hong: Adjunct Professor
- Su Jin Jung: Adjunct Professor
- Yun Kim: Adjunct Professor
- Sunhee Song: Adjunct Professor
Korean Program News
- Celebrating Asian Heritage: A Journey of Cultural Exploration at a Local Elementary SchoolThursday June 8, 2023
- Korean Day Brings K-Culture to LifeMonday May 1, 2023
- Faculty and Students Join Montclair Art Museum Lunar New Year CelebrationMonday February 6, 2023
- Culture, Kinship and KimchiExploring the significance and flavor of a Korean diet staple during lecture, hands-on workshopMonday November 21, 2022
Korean Program Photo & Video Gallery
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Students take part in a Taekwondo workshop at the University’s Korean Day festival.
Attendees were treated to popular Korean dishes prepared by the Korean Culture and Language Student Association.
Korean Day also featured a drum performance. Photo courtesy of Yun Kim.
Trying on traditional Korean clothing.
