Top 1 summer schools, courses in South Korea

South Korea offers a range of summer camps that are perfect for foreign students aged 13 to 17, providing a safe and enriching environment for independent exploration and learning.

Unique Features of Summer Camps in South Korea

• Supervised Independence: Although designed for teenagers to experience independent travel, these camps ensure round-the-clock supervision and full board living.

• Bilingual Programs: Most camps provide instruction in both Korean and English, catering to various linguistic needs and interests.

• Cultural Immersion: In addition to language learning, camps often include cultural activities, exposing students to South Korea's rich heritage.

Diverse Programs Offered at Summer Camps

• Standard Language Courses: These vary in intensity and duration, focusing solely on language acquisition.

• Specialized Courses: Include preparation for the TOPIK language exam, university pathway programs, and skill-focused classes like conversation and pronunciation.

• Teen Summer Courses: Tailored for teenagers, these courses blend language lessons with cultural events and activities.

Academic Structure and Cultural Activities

• Program Completion: Students must attend a significant portion of classes and achieve a minimum test score to progress.

• Practical Language Skills: Emphasis on speaking, reading, writing, and listening.

• Cultural Engagement: Activities include martial arts, traditional music, Korean cooking workshops, sightseeing, and K-pop classes.

Sarah Rimini

Head of International Student Recruitment at Inspired Education Group

What is the curriculum like, and how is it tailored to different age groups and language proficiency levels?

Our curriculum is designed to be engaging and interactive, with activities and lessons structured to suit various age groups and language abilities. We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes.

On average, the cost for international students is about $1,000 per week, covering accommodation and study. Additional expenses may include excursions and recreational activities.

Enrollment Process for Korean Summer Camps

Typical requirements include a child’s passport, notarized parental consent, birth certificate, and medical certificates. Camp organizers provide specific documentation lists.

• SNU KLEC at Seoul National University: Offers a range of programs including summer classes and evening lessons. Extracurricular activities such as Samulnori drumming and Taekwondo are available. The cost for a semester with accommodation averages 1,907 USD.

• Lexis Korea: Located in Seoul and Busan, this school offers TOPIC preparation courses, summer camps, individual classes, and Pathway programs. Cultural classes include Korean cuisine, music, and etiquette. Cooperation with universities like Konkuk, Hanyang, and Sejong allows enrollment without the TOEIC exam for students meeting language requirements.  On average, the tuition fee without accommodation amounts to 255 USD per week.

Summer courses in South Korea provide students with a great opportunity to receive high-quality education, broaden their horizons, get acquainted with a new culture, and gain unforgettable experiences. The main advantages include:

• Quality of Education: South Korea has gained recognition given its high academic standards. Also Korea has a status of the most developed country in Asia. The courses and schools in South Korea provide education that meets global standards.

• Improvement of Language Skills: South Korea is the birthplace of the Korean language. So, by taking summer language courses foreign students can quickly improve their language skills. Due to full immersion in a language environment and almost constant communication with native speakers, students will significantly improve their ability to speak, listen, and understand Korean.

• Cultural Immersion: South Korea has a rich culture and traditions that can only be truly understood by being in the country itself. In addition to high quality language preparation, foreign students can get acquainted with Korean culture, art, music, and traditions.

• New Connections and Experience: By attending summer courses in South Korea, students can make new friends, who are representatives of different countries and nations. You can expand your social circle, learn a lot of new things, and gain valuable intercultural experience, as well as new impressions, by traveling around the country and exploring its beauty and attractions.

Summer language courses in South Korea are attractive to international students for several reasons. Firstly, the quality of education in South Korea is much higher than its cost, including accommodation. You can gain skills of a European level (including English) while saving on the cost of staying in Asia. Additionally, staying in South Korea is very enjoyable: it is a modern country with excellent infrastructure and numerous attractions. What attracts serious students is that South Korea is a highly promising place to start a career or establish a business.

• People who want to continue their education abroad;
• People who have a goal of confident communication on everyday basis, while making a trip abroad; 
• Those who have a goal of working in an international company, or developing their own business;
• Activists who want to study a foreign language during journey trip,
• Those who want to move to another country.

To enroll in summer language courses in South Korea, a student must have completed high school. Language courses typically last from one to two years. Prestigious universities in South Korea offer  short-term courses. As an additional option, foreign students can participate in exchange programs conducted by universities. The program duration typically varies from one semester to one year.

Before applying to a program, students should get all information concerning universities and educational programs. Local universities provide diverse programs, so it is recommended to make inquiries in advance. If studies begin in the spring semester (usually in March), it is necessary to submit applications from September to November. In the case of winter semester, applications are accepted from May to June. On average, 6 months are required for preparation.

Language Vacations for Children

Language vacations are designed for kids aged 9-12 and teenagers aged 13-18 who are interested in learning a language and participating in extracurricular activities during summer vacations. The students can participate in the program from June to August.

Educational process stipulates organizing diverse activities. Depending on the school you have chosen, extracurricular activities may include football, tennis, basketball, trips to parks and museums, and cultural excursions to nearby attractions.

Children stay in residences under the school's care or by host families. To ensure safety, all host families undergo thorough selection and screening by the school. Students live in school dormitories with their classmates and receive guidance from teachers and counselors. Accommodation cost usually includes meals, medical insurance and transportation to and from the airport.

Private Language Courses
Private language courses are the most effective, yet also the most expensive way to learn English or Korean. You can choose the duration, intensity, and topics of your course. The main advantage of individual lessons is that you are in constant contact with the teacher, who corrects your mistakes and gives immediate feedback, allowing you to improve your language skills much faster than in a group.

In most schools, you can combine individual and group lessons: this is not only one of the most effective learning methods but also a great way to save money.

Business Language Courses
These courses are designed for people who already have some prior knowledge and need to use the language in a business environment. These courses cover topics such as business documents, presentations, and telephone conversations. Maximum number of students in group courses is limited to six.

Some schools also offer professional language courses specialized in various professions. For example, there are courses for flight attendants, nurses, doctors, secretaries, lawyers, IT workers, and others. These courses involve the study of specific business terminology and role-playing based on real work situations.

Standard Language Course

A standard language course is recommended for students who want to combine language learning with other activities. No matter what a school you have chosen,  this type of course will be offered. Under this course, on average 20 lessons per week are conducted. Educational process stipulates development of four language skills: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. This course is designed for students who want to combine studying with vacations.

Summer Education in South Korea
Language courses during vacations are recommended for travelers who want to learn a language while on holiday. Such courses usually include about 15 lessons per week. Summer education in South Korea is ideal for travelers who want to learn a language while having enough time for relaxation and sightseeing.

Study and Live at the Teacher’s Home
This type of private tuition is the most effective way to improve your language skills in a short period. You live in your teacher’s home, fully participate in social and family life, and have no opportunity to speak your native language.

Best Summer Courses in South Korea
Intensive language course in South Korea is one of the best options for students who want to learn a language as quickly as possible for academic or professional reasons. Most language schools offer this type of course, and it is the most common choice for international students.

Intensive courses stipulate conducting approximately 30 lessons per week. During the course,  four language skills are developing: speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Special emphasis is made on improving conversational skills. This course is designed for ambitious students who have limited time for improvement of language skills. Intensive language courses have flexible schedules and, in most schools, start on Mondays.

Summer Camps in South Korea
Children's language courses in Korea are designed for kids aged 13 to 17. This is the perfect age for a first solo trip with 24/7 supervision and three meals a day provided.

Most Korean language courses and camps are bilingual. Training there is conducted both in English and Korean. English language courses in Korea are becoming increasingly popular among those who want to explore Korea but do not plan to learn Korean or study at a Korean university.

Summer camps in South Korea are reasonably priced. The cost includes many additional excursions and entertainment activities: during a two-week summer camp, children can explore Seoul and other major cities, travel around the city, and spend some time on the beach. But there is no need to worry that the kids will be distracted from their studies by entertainment! Students come from different countries, but all communication in the classroom and beyond is conducted in the language being learned. This immersion in the language environment allows children to truly learn the language in an informal atmosphere and easily overcome the language barrier.

• Passport,
• High school diploma or transcript from the school you are currently attending,
• Apostille of research documents,
• Photocopy of the applicant's passport,
• ID photo (3.5 x 4.5 cm),
• Bank statement if applying for a D4 visa.

If a student is interested in staying in Korea for more than 90 days from the date of entry, they are required to register as foreigners. When students arrive, they submit a package of documents to the immigration office.