CLS Spark for Korean is hosted by Chonnam National University in Gwangju, South Korea and provides an interactive, beginning-level learning experience in a dynamic virtual environment. Throughout the summer, students use all the opportunities the program provides to develop their Korean language skills while gaining valuable insight into different aspects of South Korean culture.

The virtual institute includes ten hours per week of intensive live group instruction, focusing on the major aspects of language acquisition including grammar, pronunciation, reading, writing, and listening comprehension. Instructors also provide personalized support through weekly individual consultations tailored to students’ specific needs and interests. Beyond the classroom, students participate in cultural activities such as cooking classes, calligraphy workshops, and martial arts demonstrations to deepen their understanding of Korean culture and traditions while allowing them to engage with experts and members of the host institution community. Starting in Week 5 of the program, students meet weekly with their peer language partners for 45-minute sessions where they practice their growing Korean skills, engage in cultural exchange, and foster person-to-person diplomacy.

Over the course of just eight weeks, students complete the equivalent of one year of university-level Korean language instruction and are eligible for academic credit.