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KOREAN LANGUAGE
Founding
From New Hope’s founding in 1990, all students in grades K-12 have had the opportunity to benefit from this innovative language program which introduces the Korean language and culture. The KLCC was designed and founded by Dr. In Ku Kim-Marshall, who became the head of the Division of Korean Studies at Georgetown University. Dr. Marshall’s vision for the Korean Language and Cultural Center (KLCC) was to facilitate an appreciation of the Korean language and culture and to support the development of Korean foreign language programs outside Korea, and beyond New Hope Academy.
REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH
Dr. Marshall conducted in-depth research to develop a groundbreaking instructional method based on Montessori principles. This approach is particularly effective for phonetically written languages like Korean and incorporates interactive learning tools such as educational games and puzzles. Additionally, students engage with Korean folk tales, songs, literature, and computer programs to enhance their reading, writing, and speaking skills while gaining cultural exposure.
New Hope serves as a “laboratory school,” featuring a specially designed Korean classroom that replicates a traditional Korean home, allowing for an immersive cultural experience. With these innovative teaching strategies and materials, the New Hope Korean Studies Department is believed to be the leading Korean foreign language program for elementary students outside of Korea.
To further advance and promote Korean language education in the U.S., as well as raise awareness about this exceptional program, the KLCC seeks to establish partnerships with businesses and organizations that share an interest in supporting Korean language studies and can help achieve these goals.
Our Focus
Expanding the scope of Korean foreign language teaching contributes to an environment where non-Korean children can develop an appreciation of the Korean language and culture, thereby breaking down ethnic and racial barriers. With South Korea being the 10th largest economy (GDP) in the world, and a US ally, in the future many career doors will be open to Korean-speaking Americans with appreciation of Korea language and culture. Future generations of business and political leaders with such experience can then foster greater ties between the U.S. and Korea, to the benefit of both nations. We encourage interested persons, businesses, or groups to contact New Hope Academy and the Korean Language and Cultural Center for a visit and tour, and to talk with the principal Joy Morrow about how we can work together to share the benefits of this program more broadly.
Expanding Korean Language Education
Facilitating the development of Korean foreign language programs in elementary and secondary schools throughout the U.S. Through a large Korean-American community is present in many urban centers in this country, Korean foreign language programs in public and private elementary and secondary schools are sorely lacking. The many benefits of Korean foreign language programs include encouraging greater international and inter-cultural understanding, and allowing Korean-American families to transmit their ancestral language to their children.
Teacher Training in Innovative Korean Language Instruction
Teacher training workshops whose purpose is to acquiant teachers with a Montessori-inspired method for teaching Korean as a foreign language through a wide range of newly developed teaching tools. Dr.Kim-Marshall uses her many years of experience to help New Hope Korean instructors and other teachers learn new teaching techniques and a successful methedology.
Developing and Distributing Interactive Korean Language Learning Materials
The production and distribution of hands-on Korean language materials and games, curriculum and supportive educational materials.
Publishing a Periodical on Advancements in Korean and Foreign Language Education
The publishing of a periodical featuring the latest research and information on the teaching of Korean and other foreign languages.
Meet The Teacher
Soo Jung Park has general erudition and intimate familiarity with both Korean and American cultures, having been proximate to both communities throughout the years of her life. For many years she taught Korean language and history and culture to non Korean speaking students and helped them overcome the difficulty and fear of trying to learn Korean as their second language. It is her great pleasure to be the Korean language teacher at New Hope Academy to see her students learn Korean and experience Korean culture.
