WBSU kicks off Korean language course

Kolkata: The West Bengal State University's (WBSU) plan of commencing a school of foreign language has received a big boost, with the varsity being able to start a Korean language course.

"We have started a six month course in Korean language and we have been able to convince the concerned ministry in Korea to fund the course. Two teachers from the country have come in our university and are teaching the foreign language. 25 students are already pursuing the course," said Basab Chaudhuri, Vice-Chancellor of WBSU.

The six month course that comes at Rs 500 a month, will provide an idea of Korean language and culture. Classes with duration of two hours are being held thrice a week.

It may be mentioned that the university has been working for the introduction of Korean language for the last two years. "Roping in suitable teachers and most importantly clearing the flow of foreign currency into the university's account was a major challenge, which is still being sorted out," a senior university official said. The varsity had conducted a survey and found out that if English and Chinese or English and Korean can be taught side by side, there is great scope for procuring job as ambassadors in China and Korea. "We want to tap this opportunity and for this we have introduced the certificate course in Korean and will follow it up with a similar course in Chinese language," the official added.

The WBSU V-C had visited Korea and had found that most of the people in the country are very weak in English. The university had held separate workshops in both Chinese and Japanese language and the students were very enthusiastic.

"It is a challenge for us to run the course smoothly. If we are able to do it, then we will get a grant of Rs 1.2 crore from the concerned ministry in Korea and if we fail, they may stop the course after six months," Chaudhuri said.