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Number of Students with Migrant Backgrounds Surges from 46,954 in 2012 to Over 200,000
Ministry of Education Develops Assessment Tool to Gauge Korean Language Proficiency
A Korean language proficiency assessment tool for elementary, middle, and high school students with migrant backgrounds will be distributed to schools nationwide starting in the first half of next year.
On August 25, the Ministry of Education announced that it had developed a Korean language proficiency assessment tool tailored for students with migrant backgrounds, in response to their increasing numbers.
According to the Ministry of Education, as of 2025, the number of students with migrant backgrounds stands at 202,208, up nearly fivefold from 46,954 in 2012. The proportion of such students among the total student population rose from 0.7% to 4.0% during the same period. With the rapid increase in migrant-background students in schools, there is a growing consensus that accurately identifying their Korean language proficiency is essential for effective education.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Education has developed a diagnostic tool for teachers, designed to assess the Korean language proficiency of students with migrant backgrounds upon enrollment, based on their skills in different language functions.
Sample Initial Diagnostic Tool for Korean Language Proficiency for Teachers (Grades 5-6, Level 1). Ministry of Education
Through consultations with 16 regional offices of education, as well as teachers and experts in the field, the expected achievement levels for migrant-background students’ Korean language skills have been organized into four grade groups (elementary grades 1–2, elementary grades 3–4, elementary grades 5–6, and middle/high school group), four language functions (listening, speaking, reading, writing), and levels ranging from 1 to 4. The assessment system has been further subdivided and systematized accordingly.
The assessment tool (including assessment forms, sample tools, and a diagnostic result analysis program) and user guides can be downloaded and used via the online platforms ‘Everyone’s Korean’ and the ‘Multicultural Education Portal.’
Teachers can record and manage assessment results in the system, which allows them to systematically verify each student’s Korean language level across various language functions and set directions for personalized Korean language education and learning support.
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The Ministry of Education is also in the process of developing a student-focused assessment tool. The ministry plans to strengthen support by enabling various diagnostic approaches tailored to the circumstances of both schools and students, so that the Korean proficiency of students with migrant backgrounds can be assessed effectively.
Some parts of the Ministry of Education’s ‘Everyone’s Korean’ system. Ministry of Education
Noh Jin-young, Director of Student Support at the Ministry of Education, stated, “By utilizing the newly developed assessment tool, schools will be able to specifically identify the Korean proficiency levels of students with migrant backgrounds on-site. Teachers will be able to accurately determine what students can do on their own and what areas require assistance, which is expected to help guide students more effectively.”
This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.
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