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 Spanish and French have been among the
more popular subjects for American students
learning a second language. Chinese
has also been on the rise because of China’s
growing economy and international
influence. Many other languages
have been offered, but Korean has been seldom seen as an available course. In European nations,
it is probably less so.
However, French high schools have initiated a program where
students can learn the Korean language.
So far, only two schools in France started to incorporate Korean in their
elective curriculum. A Korean education
center한국교육센터 in Paris indicated that there is a
growing interest in the Korean language
and culture among the French.
 With
the growing Hallyu wave, specifically seen in K-pop
music, the French have been one of the more enthusiastic fans of Korean
entertainment. Lycee Francois
Magendie, located in the city of Bordeaux,
is one of the first schools to add Korean as a foreign language course.
The class plays as a test drive and 20 students
have signed up. Offering Korean classes, which started this month,
provides diversity for students.
 Lycee-College
Victory Durruy, a school in Paris, commenced Korean classes
after a course presentation. Over 70 students
attended the orientation. The course will
focus on preparing students
who want to take a Korean language portion on their degrees, or French university
entrance exams.
“The Korean language has now been introduced as a regular subject in French
high schools, 55 years after Korean language classes first opened
at Paris-Sorbonne University,” said Choi Jeong-rye, head of the Korean
education center. “We expect it to be a significant step in introducing
Korean as a formal subject in French
elementary and middle schools as well.” The Korean education center
in Paris regularly tours across the nation in 23 different schools
to teach about the Korean language, culture, arts, history, and current economy.
South Korean pop-culture has been gaining
fame around the world and already made its mark on many Asian countries,
the Middle East, and Latin America. Earlier this summer, SM Entertainment
held a concert in Paris featuring TVXQ, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior,
SHINee, and f(X). Thousands of fans participated in the live
K-pop performance. The concert
was the debut of Korean music in
Europe, which proved to be fruitful. |
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