In the context of globalization and increasingly frequent intercultural communication, L2 willingness to communicate (WTC) is a crucial factor influencing language acquisition, use, and teaching. Despite the growing body of L2 WTC research, there is a paucity of systematic reviews in this area. This study conducts a comprehensive review of 44 empirical articles (2019-2024) sourced from SSCI and KCI/KISS journals, focusing on WTC among Korean and English language learners. The analysis delves into research trends, participant demographics, methodologies, and thematic emphases. Notably, there has been a marked increase in publications since 2020. Korean WTC studies predominantly feature in education journals, concentrating on Korean as a second language (KSL) contexts. Conversely, English WTC studies are more prevalent in psychology journals, focusing on English as a foreign language (EFL) environments. The primary cohort of participants in these studies comprises university students. Methodologically, both fields heavily favor large-scale quantitative designs, although longitudinal approaches are more prevalent in English-focused studies. The majority of investigations center on the antecedents of WTC, with limited exploration of its impact on learning outcomes. The findings underscore substantial research gaps, particularly the necessity for diversified methodologies and in-depth examinations of Korean learners’ WTC.

Speaking is a key aspect of language learning and an important measure of learners’ proficiencies. On November 19, 2022, the first-ever speaking section of the Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK) was conducted. An analysis of the test results revealed that a significant number of test-takers were Chinese learners. This study aims to examine the TOPIK speaking test by conducting surveys and interviews with 24 Chinese learners of Korean to explore their perceptions of ‘Korean speaking,’ ‘Korean speaking classes,’ and the ‘TOPIK speaking evaluation.’ Based on the findings, the study seeks to propose effective strategies for improving Korean speaking education. The significance of this study can be summarized in three key points. First, it highlights the specific perceptions of Chinese Korean learners regarding Korean speaking, speaking classes, and the TOPIK speaking test. Second, it provides valuable insights into how Korean speaking education can be improved for Chinese learners through an analysis of the TOPIK speaking test. Finally, the proposed educational strategies can be practically applied in the field of Korean language education, benefiting both teaching and learning.

This study aims to identify the patterns of vocabulary composition changes by conducting a quantitative comparative analysis of the vocabulary included in Sejong Korean (2011-2013) and Sejong Korean (2022), a standard textbook series for Korean language education. The research methodology involved a comprehensive survey of index vocabulary from both textbook versions, followed by systematic comparative analysis based on vocabulary volume, part-of-speech distribution, vocabulary type composition, and grade-level consistency. The results revealed that the revised edition showed a significant decrease in total vocabulary. The proportion of Sino-Korean words decreased while native Korean words and loanwords increased. Content-wise, traditional culture-related vocabulary decreased while modern leisure activity-related vocabulary increased, with a notable shift from vocabulary focused on foreign culture to vocabulary related to tourist attractions in Seoul. These changes are analyzed as results of Sejong Institute’s curriculum diversification, its pursuit of universal Korean language education goals, and reflection of contemporary demands. This research provides important implications for future Korean language educational vocabulary selection and textbook development direction.

This study replicates and extends Lee-Ellis’s (2009) work by examining how different scoring methods affect the measurement characteristics of a Korean C-test. Thirty-six learners of Korean as a second language completed a five-passage C-test. Their responses were scored using Partial Credit Modeling, dichotomous item-by-item scoring, and dichotomous morpheme- by-morpheme scoring. Rasch analysis was conducted to compare reliability, person separation, item fit, and interpretability across these scoring approaches. The study also treated each text passage as a “super-item” to evaluate proficiency interpretation at the passage level. All three scoring methods demonstrated high reliability (above .97) and yielded highly correlated proficiency estimates. No single scoring method proved significantly superior in reliability, separation, or model fit. At the super-item level, the passages showed a narrow spread of difficulty indicating limited coverage of proficiency levels. These findings suggest that fine-grained scoring alone cannot compensate for limited test scope. To enhance the diagnostic value and level-referenced interpretation of C-tests, careful selection of text passages spanning a broader proficiency spectrum is essential.

This paper analyses strategies for strengthening the job relevance of Spanish education at cyber universities, focusing on Spanish for Specific Purposes (SSP) and industry-academic cooperation. As demand grows for lifelong learning content among the general public, the role of cyber universities in adult education has expanded significantly. However, existing Spanish curricula often fail to meet the needs of learners seeking career development or global employability. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks in adult learning and competency-based education (CBE), this study examines three practical cases: a children’s Spanish instructor program in collaboration with Daekyo, cultural content programs conducted with the Catalonia Tourism Board, and a public-sector language training initiative under the National Institute for the Promotion of Special Foreign Languages. Based on these cases, the study proposes a five-track SSP curriculum—Health & Wellness Spanish, Tourism Spanish, Business/Legal Spanish, Entertainment Spanish, and Translation & Interpretation — each tailored to global industry demands. It further suggests that, in the context of Korea, foreign language curricula should prioritize preparing outbound professionals for overseas engagement, especially in fields such as trade, entertainment, and cultural diplomacy. The findings underscore the importance of demand-driven, field-specific training models and recommend strategic institutional partnerships to ensure effective and sustainable implementation.

This study examined levels in self-directed learning (SDL) and learning engagement among 158 students at a college in Incheon, based on gender, video lecture usage, and English achievement level, using data collected through a Google survey. Pearson correlation coefficients and independent samples t-tests were conducted to investigate the relationships between variables and group differences. Female students scored significantly higher than male students in all subcomponents of SDL while no significant gender differences were found in learning engagement. Significant differences were observed in English achievement, learning action, cognitive engagement, and behavioral engagement between students who used video lectures and those who did not, suggesting that a weak blended learning environment can positively influence learning motivation. Although there was a clear performance gap between the high and low achievement groups, no statistically significant differences emerged in any subcomponent of SDL or learning engagement. Notably, approximately 70% of female students in the blended learning environment voluntarily utilized video lectures for various purposes such as previewing, reviewing, and clarifying contents, demonstrating active SDL. Qualitative interview data further supported these findings, providing concrete examples of SDL and learning engagement in practice.

The current study examined the potential language and literacy factors that best explain the L2 reading comprehension abilities of Korean EFL learners. A total of 70 intermediate-level Korean high school students participated in this study and were tested on L1 and L2 reading comprehension, L2 vocabulary, and L2 syntactic knowledge. The findings indicated that, between L1 reading skills and L2 proficiency, L2 proficiency played a more crucial role in predicting L2 reading comprehension. Throughout the analyses, the linguistic threshold hypothesis was supported, demonstrating a threshold level of language proficiency above which learners can effectively transfer their L1 reading skills to L2 reading comprehension. These results highlight the important pedagogical implications for the critical role of L2 proficiency and show the threshold level of proficiency necessary for Korean EFL learners. The insights gained from this study are expected to provide targeted instructional strategies and recommendations, aimed at effectively supporting EFL learners with diverse skills and abilities.

With AI and other digital technologies emerging as the norm in our daily lives, it’s time for teachers to prepare for a transition to a technology-based class. This study is aimed at understanding learners’ perceptions of an EduTech-utilized practicum at a university English pedagogy course. For this purpose, three questions were presented in terms of students’ overall satisfaction, user experience, and difference in perceptions of technology-based class by prior exposure to digital technology. Twenty-one students participated in 6 periods of digital technology-based practicum spanning for 8 weeks in the spring of 2024. The study collected student questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and classroom observations for data analysis. Frequency analysis and independent samples t-tests were conducted for quantitative data, and theme analysis for qualitative data. Three major findings are as follows: Firstly, the analysis of the quantitative data revealed a high level of students’ overall satisfaction and user experience of EduTech-utilized practicum. Secondly, qualitative data supported the usefulness of digital technology-based class in general and pedagogical benefits in particular. Lastly, students’ prior exposure to digital technologybased class did not make a significant impact on their perceptions of EduTech-utilized practicum.

This study analyzes the structure and content of current affairs-based Korean language textbooks for academic learners and proposes practical strategies for improving their pedagogical impact. With the number of international students in Korean higher education surpassing 260,000 in 2024, many entering undergraduate or graduate programs do so with Korean proficiency levels below what is typically required for academic success. In response, universities have developed general education and major courses specifically for international students, often using textbooks that integrate current affairs topics to promote both language development and academic engagement. These textbooks commonly draw on news articles and other media texts to strengthen learners’ communicative and analytical skills. In this context, this study examined five types of current affairs-based Korean language textbooks that were commercially available in bookstores as of February 2025 and were likely to be adopted as university course materials. The analysis focused on textbook structure, text selection, and instructional activities. The findings suggest that while the textbooks are well-structured and emphasize logical comprehension, they often lack components that encourage sociocultural interpretation or critical literacy. This study recommends supplementing existing materials with texts and activities that help learners recognize the social dimensions of public discourse and foster critical literacy.

This study examined how 16 Chinese transformational structures are generated using generative AI from the perspective of learners whose native language is Korean. To summarize: (1) In weak AI models, using the zero-shot input method, Baidu generated 13 transformed Chinese Sentences, and Papago generated 11 transformed Chinese Sentences. (2) In strong AI models, using the prompt input method, WRTN generated 12 transformed Chinese Sentences, and Yuanbao generated 11 transformed Chinese Sentences. The possible reason why weak AI showed better results than strong AI may be because the analysis target was simple sentences. Baidu and Papago AI are programs specialized in translation. Therefore, under the same conditions as the experiment, it can posited that weak AI is more specialized than strong AI. Thus, it may be sufficient to utilize weak AI in current Chinese writing education. Nevertheless, for this research be applicable to Chinese writing education, the following additional analyses are necessary: (1) This study targeted ‘simple sentences.’ If applied to ‘complex sentence’ writing education, an analysis of whether weak AI remains useful is necessary. (2) An analysis of how to conduct education using Artificial Intelligence is required.

This study investigates differences in Chinese receptive vocabulary size and perceived lexical difficulty among three groups of Korean university students: Chinese majors, liberal arts students studying Chinese, and students with no formal exposure to Chinese. A total of 156 participants completed a 47-item Vocabulary Level Test (VLT) based on HSK levels 1–5. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Item Response Theory (IRT). The results revealed significant group differences: Chinese majors demonstrated the highest lexical competence, followed by liberal arts students and then non-learners. Notably, non-learners achieved a mean accuracy rate of 38.30%, likely due to the influence of Sino-Korean cognates. IRT analysis further indicated that Chinese majors perceived the items as relatively “easy,” liberal arts students as “difficult,” and non-learners as “very difficult.” These findings underscore the critical role of linguistic and cultural familiarity—particularly knowledge of Chinese characters—in facilitating vocabulary comprehension. The study advocates for differentiated instructional strategies tailored to learners’ backgrounds and calls for future research involving students from non-Sinographic language backgrounds to enhance the generalizability of the findings.

This study explores a pedagogical approach to learning modern Greek imperative forms using machine translation and evaluates its relevance in language education. While imperatives frequently appear in textbooks and exams, they present challenges for beginners, highlighting the need for effective instruction. Machine translation can serve as a practical learning aid in this context. The study h as tw o k ey a ims: e valuating t he q uality of G reek-to-Korean imperative sentence translations from Google Translate and DeepL, and identifying effective learning activities for helping students recognize and acquire imperative forms, specifically in instructional texts. The analysis shows that although machine translation captures core meanings, it struggles with contextually accurate expressions and complex syntax. The study suggests using machine translation to familiarize beginners with imperative forms and support intuitive learning. For more advanced learners, comparing machine and human translations can promote deeper grammatical understanding. Ultimately, machine translation can function not only as a translation tool but also as a means for linguistic analysis and grammar awareness in second language learning.

This study examines a digital training model for the professional development of French language educators, focusing on module-based collaborative learning. It explores the theoretical foundations of teacher development, the concept and practice of digital training, and the educational implications of modular learning design. The case study analyzes a digital training program jointly operated by FEI and CNED in July 2020, which involved over 24,000 educators from 162 countries. Comprising eight modules, the program integrated digital content, real-time forums, and collaborative projects. Based on participant experiences, this study identifies key characteristics of digital training and essential factors for enhancing teacher competencies. Findings suggest that digital training fosters teachers’ digital skills and practical application while yielding positive outcomes in gamification strategies and sustainable online training models. However, challenges such as technological accessibility gaps, imbalances in program design, and cultural differences persist. To address these, the study proposes adopting a hybrid education model, strengthening practice-oriented module design, and expanding collaborative learning strategies to support an effective and sustainable training framework in the digital era.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of students’ peer feedback in collaborative English writing of general English classes. For this reason, online pre-and post-surveys were conducted on 33 students enrolled in D University in Chuncheongnam-do. The study results showed that in terms of the affective aspects of peer feedback, the burden of providing feedback, anxiety about English proficiency and negative feedback, and discomfort with negative feedback decreased. At the same time, the perceived usefulness of peer feedback increased. However, cooperation and responsibility, trust in peer feedback, motivation, and the burden of interaction did not show statistically significant differences. In addition, students mentioned that they benefited from peer feedback in the order of grammar, text structure, and vocabulary. As positive aspects, they highlighted objectivity, assistance in English learning, and increased confidence. On the other hand, they pointed out their discomfort in giving feedback due to their low English proficiency and the possibility of providing incorrect information. Based on the results, several implications are discussed.

In the context of higher education (HE) internationalization, English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) plays a crucial role in academic and interactive communication, often intersecting with local languages. This enables greater flexibility in language use and code-switching (CS) between English and the local language. While previous research on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) has predominantly examined the perspectives of local stakeholders, the views of international students have been largely underexplored. To bridge this gap, this study investigates the perceptions of both local and international students regarding CS practices within EMI courses across specific classroom situations. The findings reveal that both groups support the conditional use of the local language to promote comprehension while ensuring inclusivity. Local students demonstrate a broader acceptance of CS compared to their international counterparts, particularly in relation to academic outcomes such as understanding instruction and assessment. In contrast, international students show greater receptiveness to CS during interactive classroom discussions, which reflects their attitudes toward engaging with local peers. These insights contribute to the development of more nuanced EMI policies and deepen our understanding of language dynamics in HE contexts where English is not the native language.

This study aims to collect and analyze Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)-related research in Korean language education to identify emerging trends. It examines 28 academic articles published in Korea from 2020 to 2024, using text mining and language network analysis methods. Term Frequency (TF) and Term Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) analyses revealed that studies on curriculum design and application in Korean language education appeared with high frequency. Semantic network analysis identified key research directions, such as comparing proficiency level systems in Korean curricula, proposing “mediation” activities based on CEFR, and evaluating CEFR as an assessment tool. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling categorized the studies into three groups: (1) research directly analyzing CEFR, (2) research applying CEFR to overseas Korean language curriculum design, and (3) research comparing existing Korean curricula with CEFR. This study is significant as the first to analyze CEFR-related research trends in Korean language education. By employing objective data analysis tools such as text mining, it enhances the reliability of findings and provides valuable insights into recent research trends.

The Capstone Design class, operated in the Project Based Learning format, is a class in which three groups of learners produce assignments such as beginner-level Vietnamese conversation textbook manuscripts, lecture notes, and lecture videos by following the process of ‘assignment (first draft) - peer evaluation - reflection of peer evaluation opinions - revised manuscript - reflection journal.’ In this study, we analyzed the presentations of the first and second groups’ drafts, peer evaluations by fellow groups, revised manuscripts that accepted peer opinions, and reflection journals written by all students during the second and third weeks of the 15-week class. In particular, when comparing the draft and the revised task reflecting peer evaluation, it can be seen that learners themselves recognize the importance of communication and collaboration capabilities that accept peer evaluation opinions along with enhancing the completeness of the task. In addition, through the analysis data of two consecutive weeks, it was recognized that not only the ability to accept peer-reviewed opinions but also to present peer-reviewed opinions is communication and collaboration capabilities, and a respectful and honest attitude is necessary for this.

This study aims to see if task-based flipped learning (TBFL) can be effective in developing university students’ self-regulated learning. The specific research question is: Does TBFL have a positive impact on learners’ self-regulated learning attitude in cognitive, motivational, and behavioral domains? The research took place at a university English class where a total of 12 students participated for 15 weeks in the fall semester of the year 2023. In order to answer the research question, the self-regulated learning attitude inventory was used along with focus-group interviews and class observation. Due to the limited number of participants, frequency analysis was made for the quantitative data. Major findings were revealed as follows: Firstly, a high level of self-regulated learning attitude was found in all factors in the cognitive domain except for ‘Planning and Monitoring.’ Secondly, positive responses shown in the entire factors in the motivational domain led to greater interest and self-efficacy. Lastly, in the behavioral domain, positive responses were revealed except for ‘Time Management & Environment Setting,’ which seems to be related to the problems found in the cognitive domain’s ‘Planning and Monitoring.’

The purpose of this study is to examine learners’ perceptions of AI-based machine translation (MT) in high school ‘Reading British and American Literature’ classes. This research explored how students perceived the impact of MT on their class participation, learning motivation, confidence in English use, and improvement in English ability. The study also examined how the effectiveness of MT use differed according to students’ English proficiency levels. A total of 153 third-year students participated in a nine-week English literature course. Data were collected through an online survey and statistically analyzed. The findings reveal that students showed positive perceptions regarding class participation, learning motivation, confidence in English use, and improvement in English ability. Notably, participation in the English literature classes using AI-based MT was significantly higher than that in other English classes. Analysis by English proficiency levels showed no significant differences in class participation and affective factors (learning motivation and confidence). However, lower-proficiency learners perceived greater improvement in English proficiency compared to higher-proficiency learners. These results suggest that incorporating AI-based MT in English literature classes can create an inclusive learning environment that supports learners across different proficiency levels, particularly benefiting lower-proficiency students in terms of improvement in English ability.

The current study is designed to investigate the use of classwide peer tutoring for controlled grammar practice activities in a university English as a Foreign Language classrooms. In total, this study included 128 Korean university student participants. This research employed a quasi-experimental approach with two distinct groups. Across four different grammar lessons, 67 learner participants experienced classwide peer tutoring, while 59 learner participants experienced the traditional approach to controlled grammar practice activities. In doing so, the effectiveness of the two teaching approaches, as well as student perceptions, were analyzed. The results indicated no difference in the effectiveness between classwide peer tutoring or the traditional approach in the short-term or long-term. Furthermore, the results showed there was no significant difference between lower proficiency students and higher proficiency students. However, the results did indicate students found classwide peer tutoring to be more satisfying, interesting, and comfortable than the traditional approach to controlled grammar practice activities. Implications and classroom suggestions from these findings are included.