By Anastasia Golovleva
Speaking in front of guests, students and teachers of the Linguistic University, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to Belarus, H.E. Mr. Kang Weon Sik, noted that the creation of the Centre is a step towards mutual understanding between our two states. “The economic, political and cultural potential of co-operation between our countries is huge; the Centre will enable students and teachers, as well as entrepreneurs and politicians, to better understand one another.”
Naturally, to truly understand another nation, you need to be aware of its national trends, characteristics, culture and history. The Rector of Minsk’s State Linguistic University, Natalia Baranova, tells us that 14 Korean citizens are currently taking courses in Russian language, with five studying within the Interpreters’ Department.
The State Linguistic University added Korean language to its curriculum last year, with 13 Belarusian students from the English Language Department choosing the option as part of ‘contemporary foreign languages’.
Ms. Baranova notes that the Korean Embassy has been actively involved in the development of the Korean language teaching school in Belarus. In the near future, the Linguistic University is planning to introduce Korean as a second foreign language, as part of the ‘contemporary foreign languages’ speciality. It is also considering adding Korean to its core curriculum as a major language.
The Minsk State Linguistic University is now drafting agreements with three universities in Korea, with co-operative agreements already signed with another three. “Our University aims to achieve two goals: to establish a school of translation (to / from Korean language) and to set up a scientific and methodological school of teaching the Korean language,” adds the Rector.
Korean language may also be added to the curriculum of the MSLU Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining and to the Linguistic and Humanities College.
