Korean Language Class: Level I (Mondays, Spring 2025)

Schedule

Mondays, January 6 – May 5, 2025
5:30–8:30 p.m. | Instructor: Eunkyung Back

Tuesdays, January 7 – May 6, 2025
5:30–8:30 p.m. | Instructor: Michelle Mijeong Guffey

Asia Society Texas, in partnership with the Houston Korean Education Center, is pleased to offer Korean Language Level I classes for adults who would like to learn the Korean language at a beginner level.

The class takes place in-person at Asia Society Texas Center. Students must be 18 or over to participate. The continuation of in-person classes is subject to change pending local and state safety guidelines for in-person gatherings. Please review our current safety guidelines here.

The Korean Level I class is an introduction to Korean through simple conversations and culture. Students will engage in basic dialogue exchanges and write short sentences, which will enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The course is designed to build a foundation in the Korean language by including everyday oral communications and interactive activities emphasizing pronunciation, vocabulary, and expression. Students will also learn the skills to read and decode the Korean alphabet.

Culture is an integral part of the curriculum. In addition to language skills, students will develop an appreciation and understanding of Korean customs, culture, philosophy, and history.

Students must also purchase their own textbook. Information about the textbook can be found here.

About the Instructor

Eunkyung Back is an experienced native Korean language teacher. She studied at Ewha Womans University in Korea for BA in Korean History and MA in Korean Art history. Also, she finished the Korean language instructor training program at Seoul National University.

She worked as an adjunct instructor of the Korean language at Houston Community College for two years. She currently works as a Korean language teacher at Houston Korean Education Center (HKEC) and Calvary Houston Korean School at various levels.

Based on her academic background in Korean culture, she acknowledges that learning a language requires understanding culture and customs. She actively motivates students to engage in the inspirational way through current pop culture and unique traditional Korean culture. Her warm and patient teaching skills would encourage students to be able to explore and practice a new language as a pleasant experience.

Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by AARP. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Freeman Foundation, Houston Endowment Inc., and The Truist Foundation. Generous funding also provided by Asia Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), the Susan Vaughan Foundation, and Johanna Brassert and Bill Stewart. Free Thursday exhibition admission presented by The Nyquist Family. Additional support is provided by Cathay Bank Foundation, the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, and the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions to Asia Society Texas.

Presenting Sponsor

Additional Support

Presenting Program Partners

Houston Korean Education Center | Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Houston

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.