Department of Korean
Introduction
The Korean department offers the degree of B.A. which is designed for the practical needs of learners.
The B.A. course combines study of the written and spoken language along with courses that focus on Korean culture, society, literature, history and business. It aims to cover the advanced-level Korean language and a wide range of Korean cultures.
The B.A. program is undertaken over a four-year period. All students are required to successfully undertake the University’s Foundation Year Program and in their second and third years, they are required to focus on intensive language training. The fourth year is devoted to applying and furthering their language skills through courses that involve reading and analyzing advanced texts and literary works
The Continuing Education Center (CEC) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh has been a cornerstone of professional development since 2004. Established with support from Simon Fraser University and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), we bridge academic excellence with real-world skills.
We offer a diverse range of courses, professional trainings, and specialized workshops:
- Expand intellectual horizons through our enrichment courses
- Advance your career with professional certification programs
- Prepare for academic success with our preparatory courses
- Develop cutting-edge skills in emerging fields
- Network with professionals across various industries
Background
Example
The Institute of Foreign Languages at the Royal University of Phnom Penh was the first institute of higher education in Cambodia to teach Korean Language. A Korean Language short course was established in October 2002, with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The first intake of 40 students was taught by a visiting instructor from the Korean Research Foundation (KRF), affiliated with the Ministry of Human Resources in Korea.
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, through its decision No. 2 dated 9 March 2007, officially granted permission for the establishment of the Department of Korean Studies, located within the Institute of Foreign Languages at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. The Department Korean Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Korean Studies.
The B.A. and short course continue to receive support from the Academy of Korean Study (AKS) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Bachelor of Arts (Korean Language)
A visiting professor sponsored by the Academy of Korean Study, Ms. Hwang Hye Ran, is responsible for implementing the B.A. degree, with the pilot intake of students beginning Foundation Year courses towards a Bachelor of Arts in Korean Language in Semester I, 2007.
The four year degree covers all aspects of Korean language, including listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students gain an advanced knowledge of the Korean language, including aspects of Korean semantics, linguistics, phonetics, lexicology and syntax. Students also gain a broad understanding of Korean culture, by studying courses on Korean literature, history, culture, art, business, economy and geography, as well as learning practical skills for future careers in business, government offices and tourism.
Short Course in Korean Language
The Korean Language short course is a non-degree course offered to selected students already studying at RUPP, and members of the general public with an interest in learning Korean.
The Korean Language short course offers four levels of courses, based on students’ proficiency in Korean. Levels 1 and 2 cover basic knowledge and understanding of Korean language, whilst Levels 3 and 4 concentrate on more advanced aspects of the language. At all levels, students build skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar.
Classes are offered in morning and afternoon streams, with students attending their preferred class.
Admission
Example
Admission to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Korean Language) is administered by the Department of Higher Education Sector of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Successful applicants are also required to sit a separate two-stage entrance examination administered by the Department of Korean Studies. The first stage consists of a paper-based exam testing students’ general knowledge. Upon successful completion of this exam, prospective students proceed to an interview in early September. Most candidates have little or no background in the subject therefore one of the functions of the interview is to determine a student’s general ability and motivation.
Assessment
where the curriculums are based on what is available in the competitions. The courses provided to Cambodian gifted students to prepare for the competitions include Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Research Methodology, and so on. Since its establishment in 2004, CEC has developed and offered (on campus/outside campus) a number of courses such as
Students are assessed through attendance, participation, assignments, ongoing tests/quiz, mid-term exams and final exams. Some of courses have their own assessment policy, so students are strongly advised to read carefully their course outlines which are handed out on the first day of each class.
Free
Government scholarship students pay US$80 yearly for their academic courses in the Bachelor of Arts. Fee-paying students pay US$ 450 yearly for their courses. This fee includes the costs of some supplementary materials provided during their program of study.
Clubs
There are a number of clubs which have a focus on Korean culture and language. Students can gain opportunities to further understand Korean culture and to practice their developing Korean language skills through involvement in any or the following extracurricular activities: Samulnori club; library club; drama club; interpreting club for medical volunteering Service; translating club; and the Taekwondo club. For example, some students who join to the Samulnori club practice playing Korean traditional music instruments for a concert. Some students volunteer to manage the library of the department, members of the drama club write scripts and prepare a performance each semester. The interpreting club and translating club helping students enjoy learning Korean through a range of recreational activities. Students also have an opportunity to try Taekwondo (a form of Korean martial arts) through the club.
Details of each course are available at the website of the university (CEC’s URL).
Resources
RUPP-HR4Asia
The department maintains a small, informal library and reading room inside the office for the convenience of faculty and students. The library holds several collections of books and video materials in Korean and supplements the Korean resources by donations from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korean Research Foundation (KRF) and other individuals from the Korean Association in Cambodia. Students can use computers and other resources for their study provided at the reading room. The library is managed by volunteer students and it is anticipated that the . Korean Center will soon be opened The new centerwill provide students acomfortable and spacious environment with the high-tech equipment available for their research and studies
Scholarship
RUPP’s CEC is dedicated to promoting individual and community economic status and providing Cambodian of all ages, professions, ethnicities, and background with a wide variety of lifelong learning opportunities.
Goal
The department offers a wide-range of scholarships to support students. A number of scholarships are provided by groups and organizations involved to Korea.
Example
B.A. Course: Year 2
In their second year students enrolled in the BA Korean Studies commence their formal study of the of Korean language. This course is designed to assist students to develop their Korean language skills from a beginning level to the low- intermediate level. These skills include grammar, speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as cultural understanding.
Grammar I, II
Ms. Cho Ara
Years II, Semester I & II
This course is designed for students who have little knowledge of Korean. It emphasizes the development of foundational Korean grammar structures such as sentence structures, some simple grammatical points, and some survival level use of Korean language.
Speaking I, II; Listening I, II
Ms. Lim Kuk Hee, Ms. Song Hyo Suk
Year II, Semesters I & II
This course aims to develop basic listening and speaking skills. Students can communicate minimally within a range of limited topics such as themselves and their surroundings. They also can understand main ideas and/or some facts from simple conversations on familiar topics.
Reading I, II
Ms. Song Hyo Suk
Year II, Semesters I & II
This course aims to develop basic reading skills. Students can read simple structured texts and understand main ideas and/or some facts from simple connected texts.
Composition I, II; Speech I, II
Ms. Kang Ji Hye
Year II, Semester I & II
This course aims to develop basic writing and speech skills Students can write short stories on the limited topics such as daily life, personal experience and likes and dislikes, etc. They can also make a short speech using their own writing.
Introductions to Korean Society and Culture
Year III, Semesters II
This course aims to introduce Korean society and culture which is essential to understanding Korea and Korean people. It also aims to develop specific content-based language, presentation skills and critical thinking skills. The topics are Korean religion, geography, economy, politics, education, and the arts as well as Korean food, housing, clothing, family culture, transportation, etc.
B.A. Course: Year 3
Students in the third Year will learn skills for the intermediate-level in the areas of grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Korean, as well as expand their cultural understanding through the courses on Korean History and Chinese Characters.
Grammar III, IV
Ms. Kim Nara
Year III, Semesters I & II
This course is designed for students who have finished the beginning course in the previous year. It emphasizes the ongoing development of intermediate level Korean grammar. Students are expected to acquire and use more complicated sentence structures and grammar patterns.
Speaking III, IV; Listening II, IV
Ms. Song Hyo Suk
Year III, Semester I & II
This course is designed to improve students’ listening and speaking skills more fluently. Students can make appropriate conversations in a variety of situations and state their opinions on topics of general interest, such as current events, politics, and social issues. They can also understand main ideas and most details of connected discourse on a variety of factual topics.
Reading III, IV
Ms. Kang Ji Hye
Year III, Semester I & II
This course is designed to improve students’ reading skills. Students can understand main ideas and many details of long texts. Texts include some complicated structures and some sino-Korean words. They can comprehend Korean texts through controlling of the language as well as using contextual information.
Composition III, IV; Speech III, IV
Ms. Kang Ji Hye
Year III, Semester I & II
This course is designed to improve students’ writing and speech skills. Students can write longer stories on wider range of topics than the previous year. They can express their emotions and thoughts cohesively. They can show their speech strategies and make longer speeches.
Ancient History of Korea; Modern History of Korea
Ms. Lim Kuk Hee
Year III, Semester I & II
This course is designed to introduce Korean history to students. Students can understand the historical developments on the Korean from prehistory to contemporary in terms of social change, culture, politics, and economy, as well as the role of Korea in the history of the larger East Asian region.
Chinese Characters in Korean I, II
Ms. Kim Nara
Year III, Semester I & II
This course is designed to introduce Chinese characters which are essential to expand a students� vocabulary. It covers the origins, the principles of combinations, and usage of Chinese characters. Students can improve reading skills greatly through this course.
B.A. Course : Year 4
Students in year four will learn skills for the advanced level in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Korean, as well as expand their cultural understanding.
Academic Korean
Ms. Oum Ponika, Ms. Cho Ara
Year IV, Semester I & II
This course aims to develop students’ research skills through readings and discussions on a wide range of topics. Students can also improve their skills up to Korean university entrance level .
Korean for Mass Communication I, II
Ms. Lim Kuk Hee, Mr. Lee Yoo Jin
Year IV, Semester I & II
This course is designed for advanced level students focusing on developing knowledge about Korean society in areas such as politics, economy, environment, culture, and mass communication as well as more advanced language skills.
Presentation and Discussion
Ms. Lim Kuk Hee, Ms. Lee Hyun A
Year IV, Semester I
This course focuses on the development of speaking skills for high advanced level. It covers information on preparation for an oral presentation, how to make a good presentation, how to give feedback after listening to one’s presentation and how to lead a successful discussion.
Linguistics
Ms. Cho Ara, Mr. Seo Mun Taek
Year IV, Semester I
This course aims to develop linguistic knowledge about the Korean language. It will focus on understanding the Korean language in terms of lexicon, phonology, morphology, syntax, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics. Such linguistic information provides essential background knowledge for learning and teaching Korean.
Korean Literature
Ms. Kim Nara, Ms. Lee Hyun A
Year IV, Semester I
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of Korean literature through readings and discussions of a wide range of genres. It also aims to develop the students’ ability to read, translate, and analyze Korean literary texts, and develop their critical thinking skills through essay assignments. Where possible, we watch Korean films and dramas to provide further background information before reading a text.
Teaching Methodology
Ms. Cho Ara, Mr. Lee Yoo Jin
Year II, Semester I
This course aims to introduce principles of language learning and teaching based on pedagogy that reflects current trends and advances in methodology. It also covers practical teaching techniques such as course design, material design, classroom management etc. Students can learn the teaching principles and techniques which they can apply in their own classrooms.
Business Korean I
Mr. Seo Mun Taek
Year IV, Semester II
This course focuses on advanced language skills in business situations and specialized vocabulary used in a wide range of Korean businesses. Korean business etiquette and Korean customs and culture will also be covered. Students will acquire practical and real knowledge of key aspects of Korean business practice.
Translation
Ms. Oum Ponika, Ms. Kim Nara
Year IV, Semesters II
This course aims for students to acquire methods and skills in translation mainly from Korean into Khmer and vice versa. Different varieties of modern Korean text-types (newspaper, magazine, and academic articles, essays, commercial material, and literary works) will be read and translated. Some aspects of translation methodology and theory will also be discussed.
Practicum
Ms. Cho Ara, Ms. Kim Nara, Mr. Lee Yoo Jin, Ms. Lee Hyun A
Year IV, Semester II
This course is designed for students who are interested in teaching Korean language. Students can apply their own teaching techniques and theories to real classroom situations.
Academic Writing for thesis
Year IV, Semester II
writing a variety of academic essays including descriptive, analytical, persuasive, research and literature review. It also provides students with opportunities for writing a thesis on the following topics: Korean language, teaching Korean language and Korean culture.
Staff
Activities
Date: September 4, 2025
Type: Training
Uploaded By: Staff
