특수 목적 중급 한국어 학습자를 위한 내용 기반 한국어 수업 구성 방안 연구

Content-based instruction in intermediate-level Korean for specific purposes

Content-based instruction (CBI) is widely considered an effective approach to promote both content learning and second language (L2) learning through integration. Most research on CBI in the field of teaching Korean as a foreign language has dealt with advanced learners of Korean. This is because they tended to assume that learners needed a high level of Korean proficiency in order to understand content and language from the authentic material CBI emphasises. However, the present study believes that CBI also can be effective for intermediate learners of Korean, especially those studying for occupational purposes, and describes how CBI-based Korean instruction can be taught to intermediate learners who lack background knowledge and Korean language proficiency. Helping learners to improve their L2 proficiency requires a critical understanding of language acquisition and cognitive psychology in terms of the comprehension and production processes in language use and language learning. Based on Gass’s (1993) “integrated model of SLA,” this research aims to help learners develop their proficiency within specific comprehension and production areas. Two main rationales underpin the lesson plan. First, learners can glean more content from input when they possess background knowledge (thematic content knowledge and linguistic knowledge) relevant to the input. Teachers can make input more comprehensible by expanding learners’ background knowledge relevant to the input rather than modifying or simplifying input. Second, pedagogical tasks for production can play a crucial role for learners in transferring from the semantic to syntactic processing necessary for L2 development. Tasks can encourage learners to stretch their interlanguage capabilities. The instruction described in this study therefore emphasises both comprehensible input and comprehensible output. This example of CBI can be applicable to learners of Korean studying for occupational purposes, such as diplomats or military personnel, as well as for academic purposes.