미국 대학 한국어 강좌의 학습자 특성 연구

A Study of Learner Characteristics in Korean Language Classes of American Universities

This study examines and analyzes what characteristics students have who take Korean language classes in American universities, specifically in the University of Washington. This research is divided into two groups, heritage and non-heritage tracks. Each track is discussed relatively by two main points of view: first, characteristics such as sex, major, ethnic background, linguistic background and experiences of learning foreign languages, and second, characteristics concerning the acquisition of Korean such as the purpose of learning the Korean language, degree of experiences with Korea and the Korean language, and the period length of taking Korean language lectures. This project is based on a single case study and is thus hard to generalize the characteristics covering all of American universities due to the limited sample of one-term students and the varieties of geographical and institutional features. Nevertheless, this research will help to grasp the characteristics of Korean language learners in American universities and will contribute decisively in setting up a more solid plan for Korean language education.