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Even after 25 years of teaching foreign students and training professors, I am sometimes amazed when I see foreigners using the flavorful Korean expressions and writing and conversing with subtle nuances.
Korean language classes are changing as more and more learners seek to grow beyond simple Korean Wave consumption and become future experts on Korea.
To communicate successfully, you need to know pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, and grammar, but you also need to understand the underlying meaning and the sociocultural information contained in the Korean language.
Additionally, in order to make the other person understand and accurately convey your intentions, you must be able to use logical and persuasive speech and writing.
Since taking up a position at Ewha Womans University in 2000, one of the topics I have researched and lectured on the longest while guiding Korean language education students has been 'Korean discourse education'. This topic is receiving even more attention these days as learning needs change.
However, there was no textbook that analyzed Korean discourse in actual lectures and provided insights that could be applied to Korean language education.
Ultimately, I had no choice but to proceed with the lecture by referring to books from other language education fields and applying them to Korean language education.

Accordingly, with the help of my fellow professors, I recorded and organized three years of lectures and planned a book titled 'Reading Professor Lee Hae-young's Lectures'.
I wrote this book with students who wrote papers while taking my lecture classes, and I also recorded and reflected the actual lectures to capture the vividness of the lectures.
I am excited by the prospect that this will allow me to discuss Korean discourse analysis and educational application methods with overseas researchers outside the classroom.

However, the plan was put on hold for a while while serving as the chairman of the Sejong Institute Foundation for three years.
Although it was an unexpected interruption, it actually provided an opportunity for deeper reflection and to reflect on the latest research trends.
Of course, as the preparation period has lengthened, there are some parts that have changed from the initial concept, and there are still concerns about whether the overall flow of the discourse is being conveyed well through the multiple revisions.
Writing this book gave me the opportunity to delve deeper into what makes a discourse truly discourse and how it can be applied in Korean language classrooms.
Language is more than just a tool for communication; it is a gateway to understanding, connection, and cultural enrichment.
This richness is especially enhanced when we deeply understand the discourse.
This book is designed to provide practical assistance in discourse research and teaching.
Beginning with an examination of how grammar, vocabulary, and prosody function in actual communication, this course covers Korean discourse from a cross-cultural perspective, examining the differences between spoken and written language, genres, and styles.
To ensure applicability in Korean language education settings, each chapter ends with a section titled "Application to Korean Language Education." Furthermore, the final chapter of the book summarizes the academic background of discourse studies to serve as a guide for readers seeking in-depth study.
What does it mean to teach Korean? Having met countless foreigners and taught them Korean, I've realized that they've begun to dream of their future through the language.
In particular, during the past three years as the Chairman of the Sejong Institute Foundation, I have been able to see many learners from around the world and realize their dreams even more clearly.
Learning vivid Korean will be a strong companion for learners as they move toward their dreams.
Perhaps the authors of this book became interested in 'discourse' because of their desire to convey the living Korean language and the language that embodies the hearts of Koreans.
Readers who pick up this book will also have a dream of helping learners express themselves effectively in a variety of situations, beyond complex grammar and a rich vocabulary.
I hope that this book will serve as valuable nourishment for Korean language education and discourse analysis research for readers with such intentions.

Lead author
Lee Hae-young