We will study the basic aspects of the Korean language, much of which can best be explained through an understanding of Korea’s rich culture and the strong influence Ancient China had on it. We will explore a range of Korean expressions and basic sentence structures, guided by five fundamental elements rooted in Korea’s culture: K-Pop, K-Drama and films, Confucianism, Korean Cuisine and festivals. By the end of the course, not only will you be able to say and recognise several common Korean expressions, but you will also understand the deeper meaning behind them and the strong attachment they have to Korean culture and history.
Korean: Language through Cultural Exploration
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
The course starts on 21 Apr 2026
Week 1: The Korean Hangeul (Alphabet). The Hanguel, which has been designated by UNESCO on its World Heritage list, is not difficult to learn. In this first class, we will learn the basic letters and their pronunciation by identifying famous Korean personalities in the world of K-Pop and K-Drama.
Week 2: Basic Sentences (Confucianism and Korean History). Through examining a selection of Korean sayings and expressions, we will examine the timeline of Korean history and discuss how China has significantly influenced Korean culture, religion and family life. We will also briefly explore the UNESCO's World Heritage sites in Korea and other famous locations.
Week 3: Nouns, Verbs and Conjunctions (Korean Film Industry). This session will introduce a selection of Korean linguistic elements that allow you to construct sentences using basic elements. We will attempt to identify the names of Korean films using our knowledge of Hangeul and simple, short structures.
Week 4: Korean and Sino-Korean Numbers (Korean Traditional Festivals). Through a selection of Korean sayings and expressions, this session will focus on the customs and traditions of the major Korean festivals. This will include the typical foods consumed at these times, as well as family relations and the expressions used on such occasions. Learning the Korean numbering systems will allow you to identify dates and times important to Koreans.
Week 5: Asking and Answering Questions (Modern Korea). This final session will cover linguistic expressions related to modern Korea. It will introduce the honorific way of speaking to elders and the simpler language used with children or close friends - they are quite different - so that you can avoid embarrassing yourself when communicating in Korea.
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Certification
Digital badge
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course fee | £180.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Ms Eugenie Kim
Eugenie has been teaching Korean language and culture at a number of universities and government organisations for the past twenty years. Prior to this, she worked for the Korean government.
Course aims
To explore Korean culture and learn basic everyday Korean by understanding how Korea's history and culture have influenced its language.
Course objectives:
- Learn basic everyday Korean expressions through exploring cultural aspects deeply rooted in Korean life.
- Develop an understanding of how Korean culture and history have influenced its language.
- Examine aspects of social etiquette as they relate to communication with various social groups.
Teaching methods
Each two-hour session will combine learning and practising Korean expressions with the exploration of a specific cultural theme. Interaction and participation will be encouraged. A fifteen-minute pair work practice will help consolidate what has been learnt in the second half of the session. Source materials will be provided for further study.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, you will be better prepared to:
- recognise and pronounce the unique structure and characters that make up the Hangeul alphabet,
- use a set of characters to form basic greetings and expressions or write personal names, and
- develop an understanding of how Korea’s past, as the Hermit Kingdom and Confucianism, influenced the modern culture in South Korea.
Assessment methods
This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.
Application
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Level and demands
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.