A Study of Contributing Factors in Learning Korean as a Foreign Language among Universiti Kuala Lumpur Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the contributing factors in learning Korean as a foreign language among Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) students. Korean Language Program has started at UniKL since 2012 with the Pre-Korean Program. Currently, there are around 74 students studying Korean language as a foreign language. There is an unscientific proof that Korean Wave or ‘Hallyu’ might have an influence in promoting Korea and its culture and encouraged many Malaysians to learn about Korean Language. The survey research design employed for this study used a quantitative method. A questionnaire consisted of 34-item Likert Scale was adapted for 74 students of UniKL. Five factors contributing towards learning Korean has been studied, namely ‘k-Pop culture,’ ‘career,’ ‘achievement,’ ‘academic transfer,’ and ‘foreign languages and culture’. In order to determine the reliability of the data, the Cronbach’s Alpha analysis was utilized and it approach an average 0.7 and above for all variables. Based on study factor of ‘achievement’ become major contributing factor followed by ‘career’ and ‘academic transfer’. Study also found that there are the significant different between gender and factor of ‘K-Pop Culture’ and ‘Academic Transfer’ which female is more dominance for both factors. This study will also discuss the implications of the finding with current teaching and learning practice and Korean language curriculum at UniKL. Therefore, recommendations for effective teaching and learning in Korea language will be presented in terms of how language instructors can increase the students’ learning motivation and to align the Korean language curriculum with the students’ learning purpose.