Korean language soon to be taught in some public schools

Korean language will be taught as an elective subject to some high school students in public schools after the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Korean embassy in Manila signed a memorandum of understanding. 

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The said program is among the elective offerings in 10 selected high schools in the National Capital Region. Elective subjects are not mandatory subjects, meaning they’re only taught two hours a week.

The department said that it will introduce Korean language as a second foreign language and elective through a pilot program in select 10 high schools in Metro Manila.

According to Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin, learning the Korean language can open up opportunities to work in and out of the country. It may also help some Filipino students who want to receive education grants in Korea. 

Language is very important so teaching and studying [foreign languages] in schools is very helpful to deepen the bilateral understanding between two nations,

according to Kim. 

To prepare for the program, DepEd will work with the Korean Cultural Center on teacher training. 

Apart from Korean, Spanish, Japanese, French, German and Mandarin are also taught under DepEd's Special Program in Foreign Language.