– Gyeonggi Province will invest KRW 1.41 billion in intensive Korean language education

Responding to a recent survey indicating that 34% of marriage-based immigrants feel that language barriers are their biggest challenge in Korea, Gyeonggi Province will invest KRW 1.4 billion in 2008 to support intensive Korean language education for marriage immigrants.

Following the basic plan of Gyeonggi Province, cities and counties are currently selecting expert organizations for Korean language education projects, and recruiting participants for the language programs.

Marriage-based immigrants who wish to take part in the programs can participate in Korean language classes in nearby cities, counties, districts, or at their local Center to Support the Families of Marriage-Based Immigrants. In locations where the education program is not available, marriage-based immigrants may apply for a free education program from visiting instructors.

Marriage-based immigrants who can speak Korean will be recruited as assistant instructors to improve the educational performance of new immigrants; they will be fostered and utilized as human resources in local communities.

Since 2006, Gyeonggi Province has been working on a range of projects to support the early adaptation of the rapidly increasing number of marriage-based immigrants to Korean life. The province is contributing to social integration and support for multi-cultural families by investing KRW 3.4 billion in 2008, a 600% increase in funding over the previous year.

To address economic problems as well as language problems faced by marriage-based immigrants, the province plans to provide a variety of job training programs while simultaneously expanding diverse support measures such as the steady expansion of locations of the Center to Support the Families of Marriage-Based Immigrants in order to provide comprehensive support.

As of December 31, 2007, there were 28,135 marriage-based immigrants residing in Gyeonggi Province (14,147 women & 3,918 men).

According toFollowing the basic plan of Gyeonggi Province, cities and counties are currently selecting expert organizations for Korean language education projects, and recruiting participants for the language programs.

Marriage-based immigrants who wish to take part in the programs can