The Ministry of Education announced the '2026 Plan for the Development and Distribution of Korean Language Textbooks for Overseas Elementary and Secondary Schools' on June 4.
According to this, a total of nine types of materials will be developed in 2026, including one supplementary Korean language textbook utilizing BTS Hallyu content, one Level 1 beginner smart digital textbook, and seven customized textbooks for countries such as India, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The planned distribution quantity of Korean language textbooks this year is approximately 260,000 copies.
Taking into account the high level of interest overseas youth have in Korean culture, the Ministry of Education has been developing and distributing a total of eight types of BTS Korean language supplementary textbooks since 2021. This year, to enable more students to learn Korean through K-POP, it is developing a single integrated volume that selects the core content of existing textbooks.
In addition, the K-Drama Korean language supplementary textbooks developed last year will be distributed starting this year. These textbooks are designed to enable learners to experience vivid Korean culture based on the everyday lives of Korean society depicted in Korean dramas.
The Ministry of Education is developing additional "smart digital textbooks" this year that overseas Korean language students can access and study using their personal smartphones. Existing digital textbooks were designed primarily for viewing in a computer environment, which limited accessibility and data utilization. The newly developed smart digital textbooks will be equipped with learning support functions linked to artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and the plan is to accumulate learning data to apply to future research on Korean language education abroad.
In addition, seven new customized Korean language textbooks will be developed for six countries*, including India, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which have recently requested strengthened support for Korean language education through summits and other means. These country-specific customized textbooks are produced with the participation of teachers residing in the respective countries and officials from the Ministry of Education in writing and reviewing, reflecting the local curriculum, language, and culture.
Since 2021, the Ministry of Education has developed Korean language textbooks for regular elementary and secondary schools overseas and has distributed a cumulative total of 1.04 million copies to date. The Ministry has been developing these textbooks based on the 'Korean Language Curriculum for Overseas Elementary and Secondary Schools,' which was prepared through the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation in 2021. The Korean language curriculum adheres to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is used as a standard for language proficiency assessment worldwide, thereby ensuring international applicability. To date, a total of 80 types of Korean language textbooks developed by the Ministry based on this curriculum have been distributed, including not only printed books but also digital materials.
Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin stated, “To revitalize Korean language education through regular schools overseas, it is crucial to provide high-quality curricula and textbooks,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen overseas Korean language education by developing textbooks tailored to the needs of each country and the level of the students.”
