King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF): What is New in 2017?

KSIF’s Major Projects for 2017

The year 2017 marks the 5th year of the establishment of King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) and the 10th year of the operation of Korean Sejong Institute. KSI has seen the number of its branches increase from 90 to 180 schools, and has achieved qualitative growth through improvements in KSI facilities & management system, in addition to sending Korean language teachers abroad, developing standard textbooks & online school, and managing the Nuri-Sejong Hakdang.

With the business budget for 2017 at 18 million dollars, up 33% from a year ago, KSI expects to increase support to KSI around the world and pursue the qualitative improvement of its branches. The foundation laid out its business plan for 2017 with the aim of promoting successful outcomes of the ‘King Sejong Institute’ integration process and to enhance the overall operation system of KSI.
The core contents of the business plan decided at the board of directors held on December 22, 2016, are as follows.

Tailored Support for each KSI Following the Brand Integration

As various government integrated organizations are popularizing the Korean language into one brand, ‘King Sejong Institute’, in July 2016, KSIF is planning to set up a tailored support system for each unit such as Korean Cultural Centers, training institutes, and Korean language schools. Moreover, the unified brand is going to actively work to meet local demands for Korean language education.

Increasing the Integrated Brand’s Success Cases such as ‘Standard Model King Sejong Institute’ (Tentative Name)

In 2017, the Standard Model King Sejong Institute (tentative name) will start its operations. Established in Vietnam and Indonesia in 2016, the two standard schools will become a central hub which monitors branch schools, forms administrative & educational networks, comes up with measures to overcome difficulties shared by schools, and develops specialized programs.

More Korean Cultural Contents Shared Abroad

For KSI to better introduce Korea and its culture to countries around the world, the business of popularization of Korean cultural contents will be expanded. To this end, 10 best practice KSI will be chosen and the Sejong Culture Academy will be operated.

Moreover, the number of cultural interns and cultural experts sent abroad will be increased, and the ‘Cultural Day’ which is currently celebrated in Korea will be expanded to KSI abroad.

Expansion and Specialization of Korean Language Teachers’ Training Program at Home & Abroad

In 2017, the World Korean Educators Conference - that were separately carried out by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs – are now integrated into one. The three ministries will now jointly hold the World Korean Educators Conference together. This year’s event is expected to become an ‘opportunity of communication, network, and harmony’ for 500-some Korean language teachers from all over the world.

Regional workshops will also be expanded, held 3 times a year from 2017. The overseas teachers’ training programs are now integrated into the KSI regional workshop, which will help Korean language teachers abroad to enhance their expertise and facilitate regional networking. Those who are eligible for the new workshop are teachers and insiders of KSI, the Korea Education Center, and the Korean Language School.

Offering One-Stop On & Offline Education Contents

‘Nuri-Sejong Hakdang’ is going to be transformed into a hub site where integrated information about Korean language and culture are offered, in connection with the government ministries’ Korean language education websites such as ‘Kosnet’ and ‘Study Korean’. This will help both teachers and learners to avail of a tailored, one-stop contents service.

Meanwhile, KSIF is planning to produce and distribute various contents including Sejong Korean Culture 2, a business Korean textbook, so that people who cannot easily access the Internet can utilize the contents of Nuri-Sejong Hakdang.

Scholarship System for College Students

The scholarship project will continue to be provided so that talented learners can study at universities in Korea without having to worry about tuition fees. To inspire and encourage KSI learners, the foundation is planning to expand the project range: up to 3 colleges and 15 learners.