Interview with Professor Kwak

The Korean Language Education Center, established in 1990, has produced approximately 35,000 graduates to date. Students from over 80 countries around the world come to learn the Korean language here for various purposes, including communication, cultural understanding, and academic pursuits. The center emphasizes speaking and learner-centered education, supported by a distinguished faculty, self-created textbooks, and digital classes. It also provides comprehensive support for international students. The Sogang Herald interviewed Kwak Sang-heun, the head of the department, who has dedicated 35 years to advancing Korean language education at the institute.

Q1. Please introduce yourself.

I graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Ewha Womans University and got a job at the US Embassy. The department in which I worked was focused on Korean language education, known as the Foreign Service Institute (FSI). This institution operates under the US Department of State, similar to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Korea, and provides language training for diplomats. Upon my graduation from Ewha, I fortuitously obtained employment at the FSI, unaware of the existence of a position focused on teaching Korean. By chance, I found myself in a department where diplomats were learning Korean—it was like my destiny. The director of the department, Francis Park, had a close relationship with Father Tracy (Nobert J. Tracy) from Sogang University. In 1990, when Father Tracy was planning to establish the Korean Language Education Center at Sogang, I was recommended by the director. I was essentially scouted as the first instructor when the center was founded. Initially, I had aspirations of becoming a diplomat; however the Foreign Service Exam was challenging, and during that period, it was rare for women to be recruited as diplomats. Working at the embassy, I was often asked, “Why didn’t you become a diplomat?” The sociocultural context in Korea at that time posed significant obstacles for women aspiring to follow that career path. I entered university as part of the class of 1984. Following two years of employment in the US Embassy, the Korean Language Education Center was established in March 1990. Initially, we began with 12 students, and now, we are teaching and learning with  a total of 1,200 students.

Q2. Please introduce the Korean Language Education Center program.

Our program consists of 20 hours of class per week, structured as four hours a day over five days, spanning a duration of ten weeks. Each semester encompasses a total of 200 instructional hours, with four semesters offered annually (spring, summer, fall, and winter). Students progress from Level 1 to Level 6 and graduate upon completing Level 6. This means they can finish the entire program within a year and a half. Despite graduating after Level 6, many students express a desire to continue studying, which has led us to create Level 7. In response to this demand, we’ve even divided Level 7 into two parts, so we actually operate up to Level 8. 

Q3. In what activities are the graduates of the Korean Language Education Center currently engaged?

Graduates of our center pursue a diverse array of career paths. Students who major in Korean studies sometimes become professors in their home countries or work as interpreters and translators. Nowadays, the expansion of Korean corporations such as Samsung and LG into countries like Vietnam and Thailand has provided additional employment opportunities for some graduates. Currently, I teach Level 7, and most of my students express a strong aspiration to work in Korea. However, visa issues often hinder their ability to do so. I hope that these obstacles are resolved, facilitating greater opportunities for international students to gain employment in Korea following their graduation. 

Q4. What is an impressive anecdote you can recall from during your tenure?

One memorable moment is when students tell me, “I never knew studying could be this enjoyable.” In recent years, flipped learning has gained popularity in the field of education, however at the Korean Language Education Center, we have consistently prioritized a student-centered approach to teaching. Also, each classroom is equipped with digital tools that facilitate active student participation, thereby enhancing the overall learning experience. Hearing students say they’ve found joy in learning serves as the highest form of praise. Some students even pursue further education in graduate school, which is deeply gratifying. I also feel proud when students describe the teachers as kind and motherly. All the instructors at the center are passionate and approachable, and the high levels of student satisfaction are indicative of this commitment. Establishing personal connections with students can be challenging for professors; nevertheless, at our center, we engage in discussions that extend beyond the academic content and provide comprehensive support. This close relationship between students and instructors constitutes one of the most meaningful aspects of my work. 

Q5. Tell me how you feel about your retirement from the Korean Language Education Center, as well as your future plans.

I was initially unaware of the existence of the profession of Korean language teacher when I fortuitously began this career. I consider myself fortunate to have joined Sogang University, where I have the opportunity to work with young people from diverse backgrounds around the world, which I perceive as a significant blessing. I am deeply appreciative of my life. Upon my retirement from teaching Korean, I aspire to write about my experiences and memories. I have even thought about becoming a writer. Since I often perform a “one-man show” in my classes to make lessons more engaging, I have also dreamed of trying my hand at acting as a grandmother in movies or plays! (laughs) 

Q6. Is there any message you would like to share with Sogang students?

We live in an era of constant change—a world no one has fully experienced before. While human history has always evolved, the current period appears particularly transformative, where there are no definitive answers. The most important thing is to listen to your inner voice. I believe that achieving happiness in the present moment constitutes the pinnacle of success. At the age of 60, some might say I have lived most of my life, but when asked, “What is life?” I find it hard to answer. When I was younger, I thought studying hard would guarantee a specific future—I would become a particular person or earn a certain amount of money. But as time passed, I realized life transcends these notions. It’s about the accumulation of moments that make up the present. Students at Sogang have already worked hard to achieve success during high school, but don’t be satisfied with that. Stay aware of the changing world, listen to your heart, and approach each moment sincerely.  By doing so, positive outcomes will surely follow. One part of my prayer for the instructors at the Korean Language Education Center is, “May honest efforts yield good fruit.” I believe that if we approach the world with sincerity, the world will also respond in kind.

     By Hyeonseo Cha (Campus Reporter)

hyeonseo23@sogang.ac.kr