The Language Education Center (LEC) at CNU has successfully completed the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Korean 2015 program of the U.S. Department of State. The CLS Korean program is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students to learn the Korean language which was selected as one of the 13 Significant Foreign Languages by the U.S. Government. 26 American students took Korean language classes, Korean culture lessons and field trips around Korea for eight weeks from June 21st to August 15th at CNU. Significantly, the LEC provided a one-to-one mentoring program that matched American students with local students to help their lives in Korea. Jordan, who participated in the program, said: “We visited Hyanggyo and the May 18 National Cemetery to learn about specific characteristics of Gwangju. It was also a great chance for me to understand Korea.” Oh Mi-ra, Executive Director of the LEC said, “One of the main reasons why CNU was adopted as an institution responsible for the CLS program is that the excellence of our Korean education program is widely known. In addition, managing this program gives opportunities to develop and promote our Center.” The U.S. Department of State officials visited CNU and signed a program operation agreement with the LEC last May.

By Kim So-hee, Tribune Reporter