ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

The purpose of the paper is to suggest that there is a need to develop corrected medium- and long-term direction, agenda and support for Korean education policy that would benefit the multicultural society, which is comprised of immigrant laborers, marriage immigrants, and children from multicultural families. In the past, the Korean education policy for multicultural society in Korea had affected only the overseas Korean population. The target group of the policy has now expanded to include people from much more diverse culture. However, the Korea education policy remains unchanged from the old system. In other words, the Korean education policy needs to be modified as the target group affected by the law has grown. The paper offers three suggestions for improvement of the policy that would accommodate diverse group of individuals. First of all, there is a need to compile and research the more accurate data relevant to actual living situations of immigrants, such as the language usage and language educational conditions. Investigation on the conditions and demand of new members of the multicultural society is necessary for creating individualized policy. Secondly, the current situation of the Korean education policy for multicultural society in Korea needs to be properly realized. Research on the current Korean education policy determined that there is a need for integration among different government sectors to create more efficient budget utilization and to plan systematic language educational program under a well-integrated policy. Thirdly, the successful cases of language educational policy from foreign countries should be considered. The case of Germany shows that integration based on the “salad bowl theory” should be preferred over absolute assimilation based on the “melting pot theory”. The same case demonstrates that it is also necessary to authorize appropriate rights and duties for immigrants to participate in proper language educational programs. In the case of Australia, the national language educational policy promotes education for both national language and native language of individual immigrants. A significant advantage of Australia’s language education policy is that it encourages educating prospective bilingual talents. Although the cases of the two immigration nations are proven to be successful, rather than accepting them unquestionably, they should be meticulously analyzed in multidimensional perspectives. The Korean educational policy for multicultural society in Korea can be guided in a right direction when proper procedures are achieved. Actual living conditions and demand of members of Korea‘s multicultural society need to be investigated. The current situation of the Korean education policy requires accurate understanding. The successful cases from foreign countries should be carefully studied. The improved Korean education policy should encourage willing, natural integration instead of absolute assimilation so that immigrants can embrace a new culture while preserving their native culture.

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