In the past, the motivation to study Korean was largely limited to a handful of foreign residents - largely western missionaries - living in Korea or a few scholars studying the country and the region. In the late 1990s, as Korea began to open its door to foreign workers, mainly for labor-intensive and other business sectors, a basic Korean skill became a prerequisite for those who wished to seek jobs in the country.


Another boost was the higher interest in Korea caused by Hallyu, or the popularity of Korean cultural content, as Korean movies, TV dramas, e-sports and other cultural products gained popularity across Asia and other regions. Korean language tests are being conducted in over 30 nations worldwide, with China topping the list with the most takers, followed by Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Myanmar and Russia.


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  Foreigners taking a Korean Proficiency Test.(Yonhap News)

  There are two main kinds of Korean language test: TOPIK

  (Test of Proficiency in Korean) conducted by the Korean

  Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE) and KLPT

  (Korean Language Proficiency Test) by the Korean Language

  Society.

  TOPIK offers two kinds of tests: S-TOPIK (Standard Korean)

  and B-TOPIK (Business Korean). Each is evaluated in four main sections

  vocabulary, grammar, writing, listening and reading.


TOPIK takes place twice per year in April and September. The level of proficiency is divided into six grades. S-TOPIK is made up mostly of multiple questions and a composition that total up more then 100 questions which should be completed within 90 minutes. Its total score is 400. B-TOPIK which focuses on practical Korean is made up of 120 questions and given 90 minutes also. Its full score is 400, too.


KLPT is also divided into two kinds: KLPT and B-KLPT (Beginners' KLPT). The KLPT focuses more on practical communication skills needed to live in Korea. It is made up of listening, vocabulary, grammar and reading and conversation. Total score for KLPT is 500 and should be done in 110 minutes. The B-KLPT is especially targeted toward examinees who have studied Korean for 150-200 hours. This is largely made up of listening section with photographs and conversations and reading section with vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and other practical information. It is 50 questions in total that should be completed in 90 minutes and its total score is 200.

KLPT and B-KLPT respectively takes place twice a year, usually on the fourth Sunday of the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th month. Both TOPIK and KLPT receive online applications. One can also download sample tests from the related website.

While TOPIK and KLPT are both suitable for those seeking work or study opportunities in Korea, TOPIK can be viewed as more scholarly in nature, appropriate for academic goals. KLPT on the other hand is better for those seeking actual jobs in Korean-speaking businesses. This is because the former is presided by the Ministry of Education Ministry while the latter, the Justice Ministry in charge of immigration to Korea. Also, passing level 3 (out of 6) of the TOPIK is necessary for those wishing to obtain an F-5 visa if they are not married to a Korean citizen.

 

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)

KLPT (Korean Language Proficiency Test)

Organization

Korea Institute of Curriculum & Evaluation

- Ministry of Justice

- Ministry of Labor

Purpose

Academic purposes particularly for students to enter Korean graduate school

Employment purposes particularly for non-native Korean speakers

Evaluation

Vocabulary & grammar, writing, listening and reading

Listening, vocabulary, reading, grammar and conversation

Type of test

Total 400 points

(100 points from each section)

3 levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Classified: 1~6

100 questions, full score: 500

EPS-KLT: Specialized for migrant workers to Korea by Ministry of Labor

Basic-KLPT: Basic grammar, vocabulary

KLPT: For foreign students to Korea, etc.

Examinees

Korean language learners

International students who wish to study in Korea

Jobseekers who wish to work in domestic and overseas-based Korean companies and public institutions

For those who wish to work in Korea, to be able to carry out daily life in Korean, to communicate in their work and advance their careers.

Registration Date

Refer to homepage www.topik.or.kr

Refer to homepage www.klpt.org

Examination Center

(1)Overseas: Overseas Korean Embassies, Korean Proficiency Testing Commission, Korean Education Institute

(2) Korea: Pusan Nation University, Chungnam National University, Chonnam National University, Korean Institute for Curriculum, Evaluation and Commercial Centers in Seoul

(1) PBT (Paper based test)

Overseas: www.klpt.org -> click "Registration" -> click to "Test Center/ Information Office"

Home: www.klpt.org -> Kookmin University, Woosung University, Sun Moon University, Dong-A University, Kyungdong University, Yeungnam University, Chonnam National University (refer to bulletin board of KLPT homepage "Korean version" for maps and other details)

 

(2) CBT (Computer based test)

Available 365 days throughout the year through www.2test.com site

Registration Fee

Price differs according to countries

US$30

Homepage

www.topik.or.kr

(English, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Russian)

www.klpt.org

(English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Indonesian, Mongolian, Vietnamese)

[Source: Korea.net]

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