An Analysis of the Textbooks of Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) Published in Korea

In this paper, we examined the distribution of Chinese textbooks in Korea and the characteristics of each period. For this purpose, we extracted data from monographs through the National Library of Korea, and analyzed the current situations by categories, themes and authors based on 3,896 of books. The study books are divided into general study books and specialized study books.BR The general study books are divided into three categories: overall pattern, centric for function of language, and centric for element of language. The overall pattern study books are the most common in these three categories, and in the language functions category, the conversation books occupied relatively a large number.BR In the language element category, the books on vocabularies and grammars published are more than books on pronunciations, current events and cultures. These results suggest that language education in Korea mainly focuses on improving communications, speaking, listening, writing and reading abilities, and especially focuses on speaking. The specialized study books can be divided into material specialization and target specialization, and they are very little in proportion comparing with general study books. The fact that children’s textbooks account for a high proportion in the target specific types means that the scope of the teaching Chinese as a foreign language has expanded. In addition, publications for specific purposes such as job and work keep increasing in each field. When analyzing publishing situations, which are largely influenced by changes in domestic and foreign situations. Among the test books, most are relevant to HSK. There are also various test books besides HSK. With the increasing number of students who choose to learn Chinese at secondary schools and the development of various types of schools such as foreign language high schools, international high schools and international middle schools, the number of textbooks has also increased. Chinese textbooks published in Korea have much higher author class than editor class, and this trend is very clear in 2000.BR Among the author classes, Korean authors make up a large number, which can be evaluated positively in terms of localization of Chinese education.