KSIF holds 2023 ASEAN- KSI Workshop

> Held at Vietnam KSI from Thursday, December 7 to Friday, December 8
> Shared plans to develop Korean language education

King Sejong Institute Foundation (President Lee Hai-young, hereinafter referred to as KSIF) successfully held ‘2023 ASEAN KSI Regional Workshop’ in Ho Chi Min where Vietnam KSI is located for two days on December 7~8. In this workshop, approximately 130 people including Korean language teachers of 43 KSIs in seven ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. And, training programs, which were composed based on the common interests of nations in the ASEAN region, KSI operating officials, included a special lecture by the president of KSIF, business Korean, and an interpretation and translation course.

ASEAN member nations share a common trait — they have many Korean companies in their countries, and accordingly high demand for Korean language. Therefore, the workshop participants had an opportunity to listen to desirable business Korean language education paths from local Korean companies’ representatives, including Shinhan Bank, CJ, and Lotte. After listening to the demands of actual business sites directly from the managers, participants specifically asked about communication difficulties between the companies and local employees that Korean companies actually experienced when entering into business in ASEAN. They commented that it would be very useful to them when opening a business Korean class in the future.

There was also a discussion on the topic, ‘First Korean culture I came across, Korean culture I want to share now.’ Four winners of Korea’s Vietnam Ambassador’s Cup Speaking Contest held this year participated in the discussion, and had time to share plans for KSIs to satisfy their learners’ demands through their experiences and ideas.

“This workshop was held in a region with the biggest interest in Korea and Korean culture so I made more efforts than ever to organize it, to be of practical help,” said the President of KSIF Lee Hai-young, adding, “I’m grateful to the many KSI staffs for taking the trouble to satisfy the high demand for Korean language in the ASEAN region. I expect this workshop will present a new direction in which KSIs in the ASEAN region can proceed.”