Needs Analysis for Testing of Korean as a Foreign Language (TKFL) in the United States

Testing of Korean as a Foreign Language (TKFL) is still new in Korea. TKFL is now facing a critical issue on launching in other countries, especially, in the United States. Through this study, an extensive needs analysis was undertaken to find out the needs of more significant stakeholders, Korean as a Foreign Language (KFL) learners and test takers. The primary source of data in this study was questionnaires completed by 52 test takers and/or learners. In this study, all results were discussed in the following categories: demographic descriptions of KFL learners and test takers, the people and contexts where they use and expect to use Korean, the aspects of Korean they want to learn, their needs of TKFL, and the Korean skills which they believe to be useful in order to differentiate their Korean proficiency levels. It is suggested that, to meet the KLF learners and test takers' needs of TKFL, the related organizations, KFL tester groups, and content specialists in KFL education should pay attention to these urgent matters. Developing a high stakes TKFL requires the collaboration of stakeholders, especially, more significant stakeholders: KFL learners and test takers.