GKS Korean Language Training Year: What to Expect

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The Year Nobody Talks About

When most people think about the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), they think about the degree program — the master's courses, the doctoral research, the university campus. But before any of that begins, there is a year that GKS scholars rarely discuss in detail but almost universally describe as one of the most transformative periods of their lives: the Korean Language Training Year.

Every GKS scholar — undergraduate, master's, and doctoral alike — is required to complete up to one year of intensive Korean language training before starting their degree program, unless they already hold TOPIK Level 5 or higher. This year is fully funded, with a separate language training allowance of ₩800,000 per quarter on top of your regular monthly stipend. You are placed at a designated Korean language institute, typically affiliated with a university, and you study Korean for approximately 20 hours per week.

For many scholars, this year is a revelation. For others, it is a challenge they were not prepared for. This guide will tell you exactly what to expect — the schedule, the curriculum, the social dynamics, the living situation, and the strategies that successful scholars use to make the most of this unique year.

Just starting your GKS journey? Read the complete GKS application guide first, then come back here to understand what happens after acceptance.

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The Basics: Structure and Duration

How Long Is the Language Year?

The Korean language training period lasts up to one year, typically divided into four quarters. If you arrive in Korea in February or March, your language training will run until approximately February of the following year, at which point your degree program begins (usually March for spring semester admission).

Some scholars may be exempted from all or part of the language training if they already hold a TOPIK certificate:

Even if you are exempted from language training, you may still choose to take optional Korean courses during your degree program to continue improving.

Where Does the Training Take Place?

NIIED assigns each GKS scholar to a Korean language institute (called 어학당 or 한국어교육원) at a designated university. This may or may not be the same university where you will pursue your degree. For example, you might do your language training at Kyungpook National University in Daegu but later study your degree at Seoul National University.

The assignment is made by NIIED and is generally not negotiable, though scholars can request transfers in exceptional circumstances.

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What You Will Study: The Curriculum

Korean language institutes follow a structured curriculum divided into six levels, roughly corresponding to TOPIK levels:

Daily Schedule (Typical)

Most language institutes operate on a morning-only schedule:

• 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Four hours of Korean language instruction (grammar, reading, speaking, listening, writing — rotating emphasis)
• Afternoons: Free for self-study, tutoring, cultural activities, or exploration

Some institutes offer afternoon elective classes (conversation clubs, TOPIK preparation, cultural experience programs), but the core instruction is concentrated in the mornings.

Class Size and Teaching Style

• Class size: Typically 10 to 18 students per class.
• Teaching language: Korean from Level 2 onward. Level 1 may use some English for initial explanations, but the immersion approach kicks in quickly.
• Textbooks: Most institutes use their own proprietary textbooks (e.g., Sogang Korean, Seoul National Korean, Yonsei Korean).
• Assessment: Midterm and final exams each quarter, plus daily quizzes and homework. You must pass to advance to the next level.
• Attendance: Mandatory. Most institutes require at least 80% attendance. Chronic absenteeism can result in warnings or, in extreme cases, scholarship termination.

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The Financial Picture During Language Training

During the language year, you receive:

The monthly stipend continues throughout the language year at the same rate as during your degree program. The language training allowance (₩800,000 per quarter, so approximately ₩3,200,000 for the full year) is separate and is intended to help cover textbooks, materials, and supplementary expenses.

Can You Live Comfortably?

With a monthly stipend of ₩900,000 to ₩1,000,000 plus the quarterly language allowance, most scholars can live comfortably outside of central Seoul. Here is a rough monthly budget:

Scholars at universities in smaller cities (Daegu, Gwangju, Jeonju, Chuncheon) generally find it easier to save money, as housing and food costs are significantly lower than in Seoul.

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Living Arrangements During Language Training

University Dormitories

Most GKS language training institutions offer dormitory housing for scholars. This is usually the most affordable option:

• Cost: ₩100,000–₩300,000 per month (sometimes subsidized for GKS scholars)
• Room type: Shared rooms (2 to 4 people) are most common; single rooms are rare
• Facilities: Shared bathrooms, communal kitchen or cafeteria, laundry, study rooms, WiFi
• Curfew: Some dormitories have curfews (typically 11 PM or midnight); check before moving in

Off-Campus Housing

If dormitory space is unavailable or you prefer privacy, off-campus options include:

• Goshiwon (고시원): Small single rooms with shared kitchen/bathroom. ₩200,000–₩400,000/month. Popular among students. Very compact but affordable.
• One-room (원룸): Studio apartments. ₩300,000–₩600,000/month + deposit. More space and privacy.
• Shared apartments: Splitting a larger apartment with other students. ₩200,000–₩400,000/month per person.

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The Social Experience: Building Your Community

The language training year is socially unique. You are placed in a class with students from all over the world — often 10 to 15 different nationalities in a single classroom. This creates an extraordinarily diverse social environment that many scholars describe as one of the best parts of the GKS experience.

GKS Scholar Community

You will be surrounded by other GKS scholars at your language institute. These are students from countries as diverse as Ethiopia, Vietnam, Mexico, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and France. The shared experience of learning Korean together, navigating a new country, and preparing for degree programs creates strong bonds.

Cultural Adjustment

The first few months can be challenging:

• Language barrier: Even basic tasks (opening a bank account, seeing a doctor, ordering food) are difficult when you do not speak Korean.
• Food adjustment: Korean food is spicy, fermented, and very different from what many scholars are used to. University cafeterias and nearby restaurants will be your main options.
• Weather: If you come from a tropical country, Korean winters (December to February, with temperatures regularly below -10°C in many cities) can be a shock. Budget for a proper winter coat, thermal layers, and warm boots.
• Homesickness: Being far from family in a completely new culture takes an emotional toll. Build a support network early.

Cultural Programs

Most language institutes organize regular cultural activities for GKS scholars:

• Cooking classes: Learn to make kimchi, bibimbap, or tteokbokki
• Cultural excursions: Visits to historical sites, museums, and temples
• K-pop or traditional music events: Cultural exposure through performance
• Hanbok (traditional clothing) experience: Photography sessions in traditional Korean dress
• Homestay programs: Some institutes arrange weekend homestays with Korean families

These activities are typically free or heavily subsidized for GKS scholars.

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Academic Preparation During Language Training

Smart scholars use the language year to prepare academically for their degree program, not just linguistically.

1. Connect with Your Future Department

Even though you are at a different university for language training, you can (and should) start building relationships at your degree university:

• Email your future advisor (for graduate students) to introduce yourself and discuss research plans.
• Attend online seminars or lectures offered by your degree university.
• Visit the campus if it is geographically accessible.

2. Build Your Korean Academic Vocabulary

General Korean language classes teach everyday Korean. But you also need Korean academic terminology in your field. Start building a vocabulary list of key terms:

• Read Korean-language summaries of papers in your field.
• Follow Korean academic journals or news sites related to your discipline.
• Practice reading Korean textbook descriptions on your future university's website.

3. Take TOPIK Seriously

The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is administered six times per year in Korea. Most GKS scholars aim to achieve at least TOPIK Level 3 during the language year, with Level 4 being an ambitious but achievable goal for dedicated learners.

Why TOPIK matters:

• Some degree programs require a minimum TOPIK level for graduation.
• TOPIK Level 4+ opens doors to university-specific scholarships and tuition discounts.
• Higher TOPIK levels make daily life significantly easier.
• Some employers in Korea require TOPIK Level 4 or above.

4. Start Your Literature Review

For graduate students, the language year is an excellent time to begin your literature review. Read widely in English (and Korean if possible) to build the foundation for your thesis or dissertation.

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Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Challenge 1: Slow Language Progress

Some scholars feel frustrated that their Korean is not improving fast enough, especially if they come from a language family very different from Korean (e.g., Arabic, Spanish, or Swahili speakers often find Korean grammar more challenging than, say, Japanese or Mongolian speakers).

Solution: Supplement classroom learning with immersion. Find a Korean language exchange partner. Watch Korean TV shows with Korean subtitles. Join a local club or community group where Korean is the primary language. Daily exposure outside the classroom is what separates scholars who achieve TOPIK 4 from those who plateau at TOPIK 2.

Challenge 2: Feeling Isolated

The language training university may be in a small city far from the university where you will pursue your degree. It can feel isolating, especially in winter.

Solution: Connect with the broader GKS community through online groups (Facebook, KakaoTalk). Travel to other cities on weekends to visit fellow scholars. Many lifelong friendships among GKS alumni were forged during the language year.

Challenge 3: Financial Pressure

While the stipend covers basic living, scholars from countries with family financial obligations sometimes find it tight — especially if they need to send money home.

Solution: During the language year, part-time work is generally not permitted for GKS scholars (you are on a D-2 visa focused on language training). Budget carefully, cook at home, and take advantage of free university facilities. After starting your degree program, limited part-time work becomes possible with immigration office approval.

Challenge 4: Uncertainty About the Future

The language year can feel like limbo — you are not yet in your "real" program, and the transition can create anxiety about what comes next.

Solution: Use this year proactively. Connect with your future department, start reading in your field, and set clear goals for each quarter. Treat the language year as the foundation-building phase of your entire Korean academic experience.

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Transitioning to Your Degree Program

As the language year ends (typically in February), you will:

1. Take a final Korean proficiency assessment at your language institute.
2. Receive your language training completion certificate from NIIED.
3. Move to your degree university if it is different from your language training location.
4. Register for your first semester of degree coursework (March start).
5. Adjust to a new environment — new city, new campus, new classmates, new academic expectations.

The transition can be disorienting, especially if you move from a small city to Seoul or vice versa. Allow yourself time to settle in and do not expect to perform at your peak in the first few weeks of your degree program.

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Tips from Former GKS Scholars

Based on interviews and online community discussions, here are the top pieces of advice from scholars who have been through the language year:

1. "Study Korean outside the classroom more than inside it." The four hours of morning class are just the starting point. Real fluency comes from daily immersion.

2. "Make Korean friends, not just GKS friends." It is tempting to spend all your time with fellow international scholars, but Korean friendships are the fastest path to language improvement and cultural understanding.

3. "Start with the dormitory." Even if you prefer privacy, the dormitory experience during the language year helps you build community quickly. You can move to private housing later.

4. "Travel Korea during this year." The language year is the best time to explore Korea because your schedule is lighter than it will be during your degree. Visit Jeju, Busan, Gyeongju, the DMZ, and as many other places as you can.

5. "Take TOPIK in the third quarter, not the fourth." This gives you a buffer — if you do not achieve your target score, you can retake it in the fourth quarter.

6. "Do not neglect your physical health." The change in diet, climate, and routine can affect your health. Exercise regularly, eat well, and get enough sleep.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the language year if I already speak Korean?

Yes, if you hold TOPIK Level 5 or 6 at the time of application. You will proceed directly to your degree program.

What if I fail the language proficiency assessment at the end of the year?

Most scholars pass because the program is designed to bring you to an adequate level. If you fall significantly behind, your language training may be extended by one quarter at NIIED's discretion. In extreme cases (chronic absenteeism, refusal to study), the scholarship can be revoked.

Can I choose which city I do my language training in?

No. NIIED assigns your language training institute. You can request a specific location but there is no guarantee.

Is the language year included in the total scholarship duration?

Yes. The total GKS duration includes the language year: 5 years for undergrad (1 language + 4 degree), 3 years for master's (1 language + 2 degree), and 4 years for doctoral (1 language + 3 degree).

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Preparing for your GKS application? Ask Dr. Admissions for personalized guidance on the application process, university selection, and what to expect once you arrive in Korea.

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Author: admissions.kr