Course Spotlight: Korean ABC and Culture for Beginners

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Korean ABC for Beginners, taught by Professor Sung Hye Yang, practiced making the Korean dish kimbap (김밥) at the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio. The course integrates learning Korean hangul, expressions and everyday conversational skills with elements of Korean culture, such as crafting and food. 

Kimbap is a popular dish originating from South Korea made with rice, vegetables, cooked seafood or meat, danmuji (pickled radish) and rolled in dried seaweed sheets. Students had a hands-on experience putting together and rolling the kimbap ingredients with Yang's directions. After successfully creating the kimbap roll, students had the opportunity to sample their work by eating the kimbap.  

"What moved me most during our kimbap activity was seeing students enjoy not only making the food but also discovering its cultural meaning," Yang said. "Preparing ingredients together, sharing the table and helping one another gave them a new appreciation for Korean food culture. After eating, we continued this warm atmosphere with a speaking activity and then formed a circle to sing the Korean children's song 'Round Round' (Dung-geul-ge Dung-geul-ge). It was a joyful moment, and I felt truly grateful to share Korean culture in such a meaningful way." 

This semester is the first time that Korean has been taught in the World Languages, Literatures and Cultures Department. Next semester, Yang will teach another eight-week Korean course in spring 2026 on learning Korean for those who wish to travel to Korean-speaking countries.  

Korean for Travelers focuses on essential expressions, cultural etiquette and common conversational patterns needed to navigate Korea confidently. Students will learn how to order food, ask for directions, use transportation, shop, check into lodging and interact appropriately in Korean cultural settings. Hands-on cultural activities and situational speaking tasks will be integrated throughout the course. 

Course Title:  WLLC 3980V-015 - Special Studies: Korean for Travelers 

Dates:  March 4, 2026 - May 8, 2026 

Schedule:  Wednesdays, 3 - 4:40 p.m. 

Location: GRAD 115

For more information on Korean ABC and Culture for Beginners and/or the upcoming spring semester Korean course, please contact Yang at sunghyey@uark.edu.