미국 대학에서의 한국 문화교육에 대한 비판적 고찰 -워싱톤메트로지역을 중심으로-

Demands for Korean language classes and interest in Korean pop culture in the US have been steadily increasing. For Korean language education to solidify its place as a foreign language education in the US, it must be in accord with the National Standards in Foreign Language Education developed for 21st Century Skills. Therefore, this study examines Korean language education currently being conducted in universities focusing on the appropriateness of culture education in regard to 5C`s of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning. Korean language and culture education at higher education institutions around the Washington metropolitan area were closely observed through surveys, classroom observations and semi-structured interviews. The results showed that due to various circumstances and limitations, each school conducted Korean language education in different fashion. Nevertheless one thing was common, that they all lacked meeting the cultural aspects of all 5C`s of the national standards. To not only continue but also strengthen and solidify the Korean language education as a part of the foreign language study in the US, more desirable Korean culture curriculum needs to exist which meets the national standards.