South Korean dialect should be taught in Yanbian: teacher

By Kwon Ji-youn

Zhang Li-na, a teacher at Yongjeong High School in Yanbian, China, called on schools for ethnic Koreans in China to offer Korean language classes in the dialects of both South and North Korea. '

“The two dialects are subtly different,” Zhang, 51, said. “The only way to learn South Korean dialect here is to watch television programs from South Korea.”

To trigger a change, Zhang participated in the “Workshop for Chinese Korean Teachers Incited by Overseas Koreans Foundation.” The program started on Monday and will continue until July 29.

During the program, she will be able to observe firsthand how Korean classrooms operate and will learn about cultural differences that she and her colleagues may yet be unaware of.

Meeting with reporters on Monday, Zhang emphasized the importance of learning both dialects of the Korean language.

“Students are more inclined to learn the South Korean dialect largely because of ‘hallyu,’ or the Korean wave, and the desire to seek employment at large South Korean corporations,” Zhang said.

“But in order to attend a university in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, students need to learn the North Korean dialect.”

Yanbian is designated an autonomous prefecture because of the large number of ethnic Koreans living in the region.

The South’s influence on ethnic Koreans continues to grow, but its dialect is not taught at schools in Yanbian.

“There are requests for change among ethnic Koreans, but it has yet to be imposed as a policy,” she said.

Zhang said that although ethnic Koreans in China have high college entrance rates and low illiteracy rates, if things continue as they are now, little change may occur.

“I hope that more training programs are offered to teachers like me until the day comes when classes on the South Korean dialect are offered as regular subjects.”