The Duke Korean program emphasizes communication and content-based learning as effective means to language acquisition. The curriculum has been developed in-house using innovative content-based materials based on history, literature, contemporary society, popular culture, and mass media. A 4-year Korean language program in a small-group learning environment guides students on a rigorous learning trajectory which progresses systematically from basic communication to spoken and written communication on diverse topics to academic discourse.
Placement in a Korean language class follows the AMES department placement policy.
These guidelines are intended to acquaint you with levels of Korean classes and to help you pick out the right course for you prior to finalization by the official placement. A self-placement has to be confirmed or corrected by a formal placement assessment. Contact the coordinator (Hae-Young Kim haeyoung@duke.edu) or the instructor (Eunyoung Kim, eunyoung.kim@duke.edu)
Self-Assessment Guidelines
Find the statement that best describes your experience in Korean, and follow the instructions.
I have never studied or been exposed to Korean.
- Enroll in KOREAN 101 (Elementary Korean)
My parents speak Korean to me: Sometimes they do, but I hardly understand them.
- Enroll in KOREAN 101 (Elementary Korean)
My parents speak Korean to me: I understand them, but cannot speak well. I know Hangŭl but do not understand what I read.
- Enroll in KOREAN 102 (Elementary Korean)
I speak Korean with my parents: I can communicate about basic things in Korean with some effort, and can read and understand sentences slowly.
- Enroll in KOREAN 203 (Intermediate Korean)
I speak Korean with my parents: I can speak everyday Korean fairly fluently, and am able to read and write simple passages.
- Enroll in KOREAN 204 (Intermediate Korean) or higher
I was born in Korea and left the country after the age of 6: I attended Korean elementary school for less than 2 years.
- Enroll in KOREAN 305 (Advanced Korean) or higher
I was born in Korea and left the country after the age of 6: I attended Korean elementary school for more than 3 years and less than 6 years.
- Enroll in KOREAN 306 (Advanced Korean) or higher
I was born in Korea and left the country after the age of 6: I attended international school, and never had schooling in Korean.
- Enroll in KOREAN 306 (Advanced Korean) or higher
I attended secondary school in Korea: I completed elementary school and attended middle school for less than 2 years.
- Enroll in KOREAN 407 or 408 (Issues in Korean Language and Society I or II)
I attended secondary school in Korea: I completed middle school in Korea, but went to elementary school outside of Korea.
- Enroll in KOREAN 407 or 408 (Issues in Korean Language and Society I or II)
I attended secondary school in Korea: I completed most of elementary and secondary schooling in Korea.
- Enroll in KOREAN 455 (Korean Politics and Society: Academic Reading and Writing)—Offered in the spring
Korean Language Table
In the Korean Program, we hold Korean Language Table sessions eight times per semester. During these sessions, faculty members from the Korean Program take turns leading activities such as games and quiz shows related to the Korean language and culture. It will be an engaging and enjoyable time for everyone! All students interested in Korean are welcome, regardless of their proficiency level.
Korean Program Party
Every semester, the Korean Program hosts a Program Party Night. This event provides valuable information about the Korean major and minor, along with exciting performances prepared by students currently taking Korean language courses. All students interested in Korean language and Korean Studies courses are welcome to join. And of course, delicious Korean food will be served! Come and enjoy the fun!
Special Activities
The Korean Program strives to organize meaningful events for students whenever opportunities arise. For example, in 2025, we collaborated with student groups related to Korea, Kajok and KUSA, to host a Lunar New Year event. During this event, participants had the chance to paint traditional Korean folk art and experience various Korean traditional games.
Invited Speakers
To broaden students' humanities-based understanding of Korea, the Korean Program organizes various talks almost every semester, inviting renowned scholars and artists to share their insights.
Korean alphabet Hangul
Learning Resources
Search Engines
Newspapers
- Kyonghyang Newspaper
- Donga Daily
- Chosun Daily
- Joongang Daily
- Hankyoreh Newspaper
- English language papers, The Korea Herald and The Korea Times
- Internet newspaper, Oh My News
Korean Film Site
Network TV Stations
Korean Language Institutes in Korea
- Korea University International Summer Campus
- Sogang University
- Seoul National University
- Yonsei University
- Ewha Women's University
Perkins Library
WWW Virtual Library Entries
Korean Language Coordinator
Korean Program Faculty
- Barohny Eun, Korean Lecturing Fellow
- Eunyoung Kim, Korean Lecturer
- Hae-Young Kim, Professor of the Practice
- Nayoung Aimee Kwon, Associate Professor
- Seojin Yang, Instructor