Teaching Korean: Envoy in virtual meeting with Peradeniya VC
View(s):A virtual meeting has been held between the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the University of Peradeniya to discuss the expansion and promotion of Korean Language education in
Sri Lanka.
Korean Ambassador H.E. Santhush Woonjin Jeong held a meeting with University of PeradeniyaVice ChancellorUpul Dissanayake. At the meeting they discussed and explored specific areas of co-operation in the cultural and educational spheres.
The Embassy and the University will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the King Sejong Institute to strengthen cultural exchanges and the mutual relationship between both countries. King Sejong Institute has been conducting online Korean language classes currently due to the ongoing pandemic.
“The Korean language programmes launched by the King Sejong Institute will benefit many students who are enthusiastic about learning the Korean language,” the Ambassador said.
“The Korea-Sri Lanka cultural co-operation has been robust in the last decade due to the many efforts taken by both countries to strengthen our bilateral ties in cultural and educational spheres. The interest shown by Sri Lankans to learn the Korean language is symbolic of our long standing relations.”he added.
“We hope to enhance the Korean language education not only for students at the university, but for people from all walks of life as it is an asset that can provide more job opportunities to Sri Lankans,” Prof. Dissanayake said.
In response to this expectation, H.E. Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG expressed the support and assistance of the Korean government in the expansion of Korean language education in Sri Lanka.
The establishment of the King Sejong Institute will provide a great opportunity for the Sri Lankans to learn and familiarise themselves with the Korean Language and their culture.The Ambassador said the Korean language is officially a foreign language in the A/L curriculum, from this year onwards.
The introduction of Korean language to A/L grades will build bridges of friendship and will also empower young students with advanced Korean language skills. This will open more opportunities in other countries including the Republic of Korea.
There has been an increased engagement in labour co-operation between Korea and Sri Lanka in recent years. About 23,000 Sri Lankan employees are presently in Korea. Around US$ 520 million was transmitted by them from Korea to Sri Lanka in 2019.
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea has been promoting cultural relations through a number of initiatives. These include: the Korea week 2020 organised by the Embassy on virtual platforms last December, which provided various cultural events including a Korean language speech contest in collaboration with the King Sejong Institute Centre in Kandy. The winners were awarded valuable prizes.
The establishment of the King Sejong Institute has provided a great opportunity for Sri Lankan people to learn the Korean language and broaden their horizons for travel and employment.