Gangnam District launches online Korean language course for foreign residents

As Korea adjusts to a growing population of foreign professionals and multicultural families, a wealthy district in the capital is transforming its public e-learning infrastructure to address the systemic challenges of immigrant assimilation. The Gangnam District Office said Monday it launched an online introductory language program, called Let’s Start Korean, tailored specifically for foreign residents and multicultural families. Set to begin its pilot run on Wednesday to coincide with the country’s Together Day, the initiative represents the first time the Seoul district is expanding its proprietary public e-learning platform beyond its traditional market of domestic secondary-school students. The curriculum, developed in partnership with Seoul National University’s Language Education Institute, aims to lower the high barrier to entry that often discourages absolute beginners. Spanning 68 distinct lectures over roughly 27 hours, the course covers foundational grammar, self-introductions and practical situational phrases for daily life. To maximize accessibility, the municipal g