A view looking down a narrow, sloped street lined with traditional Korean hanok houses, with modern city skyscrapers and the N Seoul Tower visible in the distant background.

Korean

Established in 1962, Columbia University’s Korean Language Program is one of the oldest Korean language programs in the United States and an integral part of Columbia’s distinguished tradition in Korean Studies.

The program offers five years of Korean language instruction, from First Year Korean through Fifth Year Korean, along with specialized courses such as Business Korean and Advanced Korean in Mixed Script. Aligned with ACTFL standards and proficiency guidelines, the curriculum helps students develop strong communication skills for academic, professional, and everyday contexts.

Our courses are intellectually stimulating and engaging, drawing on up-to-date, research-informed pedagogy to support meaningful Korean language learning. Through sustained study, students build communication skills, intercultural competence, and a deeper understanding of Korea and the Korean-speaking world.

Interested in studying Korean? Visit the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures' Korean Language Program website for course descriptions, placement test information, and details about the Korean curriculum.

Taking courses in Korean will allow you to fulfill the language requirement at Columbia.

Please check Vergil for the latest information on class times and locations.

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