A word from the 'Conceptual Korean Language Life' project
preface

Class 1.
I want to know about literacy - Is literacy really that important?

Why literacy now?
Why is literacy a 'right to learn'?
What is the difference between a life with and without literacy?
What is our literacy level?

Class 2.
Literacy across the Life Cycle - What Should I Do Now?

Early literacy
When does the literacy gap begin to widen?
If you learn Korean quickly, will your literacy skills also improve quickly?

Childhood and Adolescent Literacy
Functional Literacy ①: Why did the teacher make us read the textbook aloud so much?
Functional Literacy ②: Where should we start to ‘read properly’?
Vocabulary ①: Is literacy vocabulary?
Vocabulary ②: Beyond vocabulary, into the ocean of vocabulary!
Academic Literacy ①: If you are good at Korean, will you also be good at math?
Academic Literacy ②: Why should we read science books and history books differently?
Digital and Media Literacy ①: How should we read and write in the digital age?
Digital and Media Literacy ②: What kind of literacy learning do digital natives need?
Critical Literacy ①: Can Literacy Change the World? - Beyond Reading the Words, Reading the World
Critical Literacy ②: How to Avoid Being Fooled by Text - The Power to Distinguish Fact from Opinion

adult literacy
Literacy is key! - The first step toward social advancement.
How can I write it to help my social life?

Class 3.
Literacy in Communication and Practice - What Does Literacy Look Like in Real Life?

The Power of Questions - No Questions, No Literacy!
Why do people spend money to 'read together'?
If books think, what should humans do?

Note
References

From 'The Importance of Literacy'
Up to 'literacy in communication and practice'

Chapter 1 examines why literacy has become a hot topic in our society today, and why it should be treated not simply as a skill but as a "right to learn."
Literacy has become a social issue due to the learning gap created by the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding beyond simple reading and writing skills to encompass socio-cultural communication skills.
Literacy is not just knowing letters, but the ability to understand and interpret meaning and solve learning and life problems.
Furthermore, as in the case of the 'literacy lawsuit' in Michigan, USA, literacy is presented as a 'right to learn' and a fundamental right to live as a human being.
The authors emphasize the need for lifelong literacy education, pointing out that the generational literacy gap can lead to social conflict and communication problems.

Chapter 2 examines how literacy expands and evolves in multiple layers across the life cycle, from infancy to adulthood.
First, early literacy is the starting point of literacy development from infancy to early elementary school, and is the period when the gap between reading and writing widens.
Pre-literate language experiences form the basis of literacy, and rich linguistic stimulation and family literacy play important roles.
The authors argue that the ability to understand the world through language is more important than quickly learning Korean, and that interest in reading should be fostered through appropriate diagnosis and level-based reading programs.

Next, literacy in childhood and adolescence develops within the relationship between reading fluency and reading comprehension.
Reading aloud serves as a bridge from decoding to reading comprehension, and requires developing accuracy, speed, and rhythm. The authors argue that the ability to read with meaning, not just speed, is crucial.
It is also emphasized that reading fluency must be achieved through repetition and practice, and that inferential reading during this period serves as the foundation for critical thinking.

Adult literacy is a practical ability that enables participation in daily life, work, and society.
As the way we read and write changes in the digital environment, information interpretation and critical thinking skills have become more important.
The digital literacy gap, especially among older adults, can lead to social isolation, making lifelong learning and intergenerational literacy education necessary.
The authors emphasize that literacy is a skill that must be developed and maintained throughout the lifespan.

Chapter 3 explores how literacy can be put into practice in life beyond the classroom, through topics such as “the power of questioning,” “the joy of reading together,” and “books that make you think.”
Reading is an interaction between text and the reader, where thinking and problem-solving skills are developed through the act of asking questions and finding answers.
Like the Jewish tradition of Havruta, the question, “Why do you think so?” leads to deeper understanding.
Reading groups and social reading strengthen the motivation to read within relationships, and the process of reading and sharing together leads to improved literacy.
The authors argue that the core of literacy still lies in 'active subjectivity,' emphasizing that humans understand the world and create themselves through the act of reading, thinking, and choosing for themselves.

Korean Language Life with 'Concepts' (10 Volumes, Part 1)

"Conceptual Korean Language Life" is a publication by the Korean Language Education Society, Korea's first, best, and largest academic organization. To celebrate its 70th anniversary (launched as the "Korean Language Education Research Society" in 1955), the Society selects and publishes 20 of the most important "concepts" in Korean language education to summarize its academic achievements to date. The publication plan is to begin with the first 10 volumes in 2025, with the remaining 10 volumes to be completed in 2026.
This series was centered around the next generation of Korean language education scholars who will lead the Korean language education field and teachers who are leading the Korean language education field. It was planned with the goal of providing practical help not only to teachers and students in school education, but also to contribute to the language life of ordinary citizens by writing easy-to-understand content on the 'concepts' that are important in Korean language education.