The School Korean Classroom is a free Korean-language program offered right at your child’s school to help newly-arrived students with a migration background settle into school life as smoothly as possible. It runs under the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Multicultural Education Master Plan and each school organises its own sessions. As of 2025, there are 53,837 multicultural students across Gyeonggi Province — a number that keeps growing every year — and 324 schools throughout the province already have a dedicated KSL instructor on site.
Step-by-Step Overview
- 1. Receive the school notice
The school sends an information letter and an application form home to your family.
- 2. Fill in the application form
Write the student's name, grade and class, and a parent or guardian contact number.
- 3. Hand it to the homeroom teacher
Give the completed form directly to the homeroom teacher -- that completes the application.
- 4. Level assessment
The KSL instructor does a brief check of the student's Korean level and assigns an appropriate class level.
- 5. Start classes
The student joins level-appropriate Korean classes after school, following the KSL curriculum.
Who Can Apply
- Any newly-arrived student currently enrolled at the elementary school who applies in person (or through a parent or guardian).
- Any student who finds it hard to follow lessons because their Korean is not yet strong enough is welcome to apply.
Program Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | During the school term (schedule varies by school — please check with the homeroom teacher) |
| Class frequency | 2-3 times per week |
| Class time | After school hours (may vary by school) |
| Fee | Completely free |
Class schedules, frequency, and times may change depending on each school’s curriculum arrangements. For exact scheduling, please ask the homeroom teacher. Before applying, you are also encouraged to check the latest information with the Immigration Contact Center (1345) or your local Korea Immigration Service (KIS) office.
How to Apply
Simply fill in the application form and hand it directly to the homeroom teacher. The process is straightforward.
- The school sends the application form home along with an information letter.
- Fill in the student’s name, grade and class, and contact details.
- Submit it to the homeroom teacher — your application is then complete.
You may also find it helpful to read the general information on school enrollment and after-school care for children.
What Students Learn
The Korean classroom follows the KSL (Korean as a Second Language) curriculum. The KSL curriculum is structured around two areas: “everyday Korean” (communicative Korean for daily life) and “academic Korean” (Korean as a learning tool, for following subject lessons). Students build Korean skills step by step, from everyday conversation all the way to the vocabulary and expressions needed for school lessons. Teaching materials are based on Standard Korean resources from the National Institute of the Korean Language.
Students Who Would Benefit Most
- Students who arrived in Korea recently and find it hard to communicate in Korean
- Students who struggle to understand textbook content in Korean
- Students who are still getting used to Korean school culture
It is also a good idea to familiarise yourself early with how to report school bullying and access counselling support for foreign nationals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does the class clash with regular school lessons? No. Classes are held after school, so they do not overlap with regular lessons. Exact times vary by school, so please check with the homeroom teacher.
Q. Is there any cost? None at all. The program is completely free.
Q. Where do I get the application form? The homeroom teacher sends it home along with an information letter. If you have not received one, just ask the homeroom teacher directly.
Q. What if my child’s school does not have a Korean classroom? If the school does not run its own Korean classroom, you can apply for a short-term intensive course (60 or 90 days) or an online course through the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education’s Gyeonggi Korean Language School (KLS). For details, please contact the Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education Multicultural Education Support Center.
Please note: Details such as class schedules and the number of places available can vary from school to school and from term to term. Please confirm the latest information with the homeroom teacher or the school office before applying. For broader support for multicultural families and migrants, you can contact the Immigration Contact Center 1345 (available 24 hours a day, in multiple languages).