Korean Language Program

Elementary Program

The Bellevue School District is excited to introduce the Korean Bilingual Program. This program will be offered at Newport Heights Elementary 

for incoming kindergarten students starting in the 2024-2025 school year. As the program grows each year, additional grade levels will be added to accommodate the expansion. Both in-district and out-of-district students, with diverse language proficiencies, are welcome to apply.

This unique program offers students the opportunity to learn the Korean language during the regular school day while studying core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts in English. The primary goal of this program is to celebrate culture and language and foster positive identity.

The Korean Bilingual Program will…

• Develop a strong linguistic proficiency in English and Korean.
• Expand horizons for future education.
• Enhance cognitive skills and critical thinking.
• Embrace diversity and global perspectives.

How many minutes of Korean instruction will be offered each day?

Kindergarten students will engage in Korean instruction for nearly 90 minutes a day during social emotional learning, Korean language arts and social studies.

As the program develops, feedback from students, parents, and teachers will be incorporated into the design. The heritage language program aims to be culturally responsive and student-centered, remaining flexible and adaptive to the needs of students and their families.

What kind of transportation options will be offered?

Students who reside within the Newport Heights attendance area may use district transportation that serves their neighborhood. Students who reside outside of the Newport Heights boundary may utilize current bus stops within the school transportation boundaries on a space available basis. For more information contact transportation at transportation@bsd405.org.

 

Secondary Korean Heritage Language Program

BSD middle school students in grades 6-8 may register in the spring (during the annual course registration period) for a Korean world language course and earn world language credits.

The middle school Korean Bilingual Program will offer students the opportunity to learn the Korean language during the regular school day while studying core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and language arts in English. The primary goal of this program is to celebrate culture and language and foster positive identity.

How can students register for these courses?

Students in grades 6-8 can sign up for Korean courses during the spring class registration period. To meet the language proficiency levels of students, there will be four different levels of Korean language courses offered: Korean 1a, Korean 1b, Korean 2, and Korean 3

Families who currently live outside of Bellevue School District Boundaries, must first apply to attend school in the Bellevue School District. Once accepted, you will be notified and receive enrollment instructions via email.

What will students learn in their middle school Korean language course?

Middle School students will enhance their Korean language skills while engaged in project-based learning. They will explore the history of the Korean-speaking world and its cultures.

How will middle school students take part in the Korean Bilingual Program?

At the middle school level, students enrolled in a Korean course will receive online Korean instruction through Bellevue Digital Discovery School. They will access their Korean courses virtually from each middle school. The district will provide students with all the essential technology resources, including laptops, headsets, keyboards, and instructional materials, to support their learning experience.

Will students receive world language credits necessary for graduation?

Students enrolled in Korean courses will receive World Language credits that can be applied towards high school graduation requirements.

Secondary Program Contacts

Digital Discovery: BSDDigitalDiscovery@bsd405.org
Principal: Tom Duenwald duenwaldt@bsd405.org

Korean Family Listening Session Event, October 19, 2023

We’re excited to share the highlights of our Korean Family Listening Session, which took place on October 19, 2023. This event marked a significant step in shaping the future of the Korean Heritage Bilingual Program, a program that includes both elementary and secondary students.

Over Korean teas and rice cakes, parents shared their dreams and hopes for their children, and the importance of preserving our home languages. In addition to these heartfelt discussions, we dove into the practical aspects of implementing the Korean heritage language program and its numerous benefits.

We had an incredible turnout, with more than 80 parents joining us in person, and over 25 participants joining us online. We were honored to have community organizations and leaders like board members of PNW Korean Parent Association, Jennifer Sohn, President of United Seattle and Bellevue Korean School, Joshua Hwang of Korean Culture and Education, Kyungho Park of Consul of Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, Julie Kang, Director of Professional and Continuing Education of Seattle University, and EunYoung Won, Associate Teaching Profession of Asian Languages and Literature from University of Washington stand by us in support of BSD’s heritage language program initiative.

We also take great pride in our high school Korean Student Heritage Language Ambassadors and Team Members who generously volunteered to provide childcare during the event, allowing parents to fully engage in the presentation and community discussions.

As we move forward, our dedicated Korean Heritage Language Development Team is committed to incorporating the insights shared by our families. These insights will form the foundation for crafting a program model that genuinely resonates with the needs and aspirations of our students and their families.

A few quotes from parents:

Through a Korean heritage language program, I hope for my child to/would experience…

• “Deeper knowledge and pride for their Korean language, culture, and heritage.”
• “See themselves & identity in school rather than “dropping” a part of themselves when they walk in. In-person, daily instruction with a connection between language and culture/arts rather than just language for the sake of language.”
• “The joy of being able to interact with their cultural heritage without harming their English language development.”
• “Korean American

  으로써 양국의 문화를 자연스럽게 받아들이고 자긍심을 갖고 자라는 섯.”

For inquiries about this initiative, please contact HeritageLanguageProgram@bsd405.org