Sejong Korean 1: Course Syllabus Overview

Sejong Korean 1 is the foundational textbook designed for beginner learners of the Korean language. Developed by the King Sejong Institute Foundation, this curriculum focuses on communicative competence, allowing students to navigate everyday social interactions in a Korean-speaking environment. This syllabus provides a comprehensive look at the learning objectives, key grammar points, and vocabulary themes covered in the book.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of Sejong Korean 1, students will be expected to:

• Master the Korean alphabet (Hangeul) and its pronunciation rules.
• Engage in basic conversations, such as greetings, self-introductions, and shopping.
• Understand and use essential Korean grammar structures and particles.
• Build a functional vocabulary base related to daily life activities.
• Develop listening and reading skills suited for beginner-level comprehension.

Key Curricular Themes

The textbook is structured into 14 distinct units, each focusing on specific survival scenarios. Below is a breakdown of the primary topics covered:

Unit	Topic Focus
1-2	Hangeul, Greetings, and Basic Manners
3-4	School Life, Daily Routine, and Time
5-6	Shopping, Prices, and Ordering Food
7-8	Location, Directions, and Transportation
9-10	Weekend Activities and Leisure Time
11-12	Family, Friends, and Physical Appearance
13-14	Weather, Seasons, and Future Plans

Grammar and Linguistic Focus

The syllabus emphasizes the mastery of polite formal and informal speech styles. Key grammatical components include:

• Particles: Proper usage of subject markers (/), topic markers (/), and object markers (/).
• Verb Conjugation: Basic present and past tense conjugations using the -()/ and -/ endings.
• Sentence Structure: Understanding basic Korean Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) sentence order.
• Negation and Conjunctions: Learning how to form negative sentences and connect ideas using simple conjunctions.

Assessment Criteria

To ensure mastery of the material, students are evaluated based on the following:

• Participation: Active engagement in classroom speaking drills and partner exercises.
• Quizzes: Regular assessments on vocabulary and spelling (dictation).
• Midterm/Final Exams: Comprehensive tests covering reading comprehension, grammar application, and listening skills.
• Speaking Presentation: A final project demonstrating the student's ability to introduce themselves or describe their daily routine using the taught vocabulary.

Study Recommendations

Success in Sejong Korean 1 requires consistent practice. It is recommended that students review Hangeul characters daily until they are reflexive. Furthermore, utilizing the integrated audio materials provided with the textbook is essential for perfecting pronunciation and intonation patterns unique to the Korean language. Engaging with the exercises in the accompanying workbook will solidify the understanding of grammar particles, which often prove to be the most challenging aspect for beginners.