Heritage Language Programs - Korean
Korean Academy of Language and Culture
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Address: 213 S. Grove St., Normal, IL 61761
Telephone: 309-438-2780
Contact person
Name: Jih Young Chang
Title: Director
Address: 3203 Viney Lane, Bloomington, IL 61704
Email: jychang@ilstu.edu
Telephone: 309-438-2780
Languages/dialects taught: Korean
Grades taught: PreK to 6th grade and adults
Program Description
Purposes and goals of the program: The Korean Academy of Language and Culture, located in Bloomington-Normal, is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Korean Church of Bloomington-Normal. The goal of the academy is to promote a greater understanding of the Korean culture and language to the community at large. Membership is open to the public. No prior knowledge and association with Korea is required. The academy is different from Korean language schools for second-generation Korean Americans. The focus is on Korean-adopted families and non-Korean speaking families.
Type of program: The Academy offers 2 hours of language and cultural classes (reading and writing, conversation, and cultural activities) every Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Cultural activities consist of Korean traditional dance, calligraphy, oriental art, drawing, music, and drumming.
Program origin: The program was founded in 2000.
Parents
Parents' expectations for the program: Most of parents are in adult class as well. Their expectations are mostly to understand the Korean culture and communicate in simple Korean language with their children.
Staff
Instructors' and administration's expectations
for the program: Teachers' expectations for the program
are as follows:
1. To have helpful materials
2. To have more financial support
3. To have more consistent enrollment
Students
Students: 20% of students are adopted children, 20% are parents of adopted children, 20% are American, 15% are half Korean, and 25% are second-generation Korean.
Instructors
Number of instructors in the program: Seven
Languages in which instructors are proficient: The teachers are bilingual, proficient in Korean and English.
Instruction
Total contact hours per week: 2 hours per week
Student grouping: They are grouped by age: adults, children (4-6 years and Pre-K – 6 grade), and nursery (under 4 years)
Language skills
Heritage language skills: Listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Culture
Aspects of culture taught: mostly arts and traditions
Methodologies
Materials used for instruction: Seo-gang Korean Language by Seo-Gang University and various other books and materials
Assessment
Assessments used to evaluate students' progress: Teachers design all the tests for students every time evaluation is necessary.
What the program has in place
Financial support the program receives: Financial support comes from religious organizations that support students’ tuition.
