KOREASCHOLAR

The study aims to understand personal changes experienced through Korean language learning and the significance of these changes to members of the new Korean Language and Culture Community by examining the life histories of foreign graduate students majoring in Korean language education and Korean literature. To this end, six Vietnamese students who are studying at a graduate school specializing in Korean language participated in this study and their life histories were examined, focusing on the development of their identities. The analysis focused on the (re)construction of identity in the learning processes of participants and showed that participants achieved complex identity development by learning and using Korean in various formal and informal contexts. In this study, changes were described in terms of improving Korean language skills, changing the self-image during early adulthood, and personal growth.

I. Introduction
II. Theoretical Background
    1. Second Language Learning and Reconstruction of Identity
    2. Learning from the Perspective of the Community of Practice
III. Research Method
    1. Learning Life History
    2. Research Participants
    3. Data Collection
    4. Data Analysis
IV. Results and Discussion
    1. Life Histories of Participants with a Focus on the Korean LanguageLearning Process
    2. Reconstructing Identity through Korean Language Learning
    3. Expressing Subjectivity Within the Community of Practice of KoreanLanguage and Culture
V. Conclusion
References

• Hara Jeong(Myongji University)