Vol. 3 [Texas News] Momentum Builds for Korean Language Education in Taylor, Texas

• As the Taylor Independent School District (ISD) in north Austin, Texas considers adopting Korean as a regular foreign language course, ten students from Daeyoung High School in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province visited schools in the district on January 28–29, completing a successful educational and cultural exchange between Korean and American students. Daeyoung High School is an all-boys STEM-focused specialized high school.
• The district’s interest in introducing Korean language education reflects the growing investment by Korean companies in the Williamson County area. Jennifer Patsky, who oversees HR and student support for the district, said Korean language instruction is a practical way to prepare students for the region’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape. The district is considering Korean I and II as high school courses, along with conversation- and culture-focused programs at the elementary level.
• Steve Vizil, director of career and technical education, emphasized that the global prominence of Korea’s economy, the worldwide spread of Korean culture, and the presence of Korean companies in Taylor make this an ideal moment to introduce Korean language education. He also expressed the district’s intention to expand Korean language programs from Taylor to the broader Central Texas region.

• On the first day of the visit, Daeyoung students joined regular classes, a buddy program, and career and technical education courses at Taylor High School. Their K-pop dance performance drew strong responses from local students, and informal exchanges continued during lunch in the school cafeteria. A presentation on Samsung’s semiconductor industry also highlighted connections between Taylor and Korean companies.
• On the second day, the students visited Main Street Elementary School and Legacy Early College High School, where they presented a taekwondo demonstration, an introduction to Korean culture, and a robotics showcase. At Legacy High School, they also taught basic Korean greetings, drawing enthusiastic interest from local students. Patsky noted that elementary students showed strong curiosity about the language and culture, adding that the exchange helped move discussions about introducing Korean classes forward.

• The Texas chapter of the Korean Language Foundation (President Ok-bin Gil) also supported the exchange. Gil described the visit as meaningful because it marked the first official exchange between the two schools, and pledged continued efforts to establish Korean as a regular subject in public schools across Central Texas.
• Vice Principal Hee-kyung Park said she hopes the visit will serve not only as an overseas experience but also as an opportunity for students to better understand and respect different cultures. She expressed hope that the students will grow into global citizens and informal ambassadors for Korea. The Taylor district plans to use the exchange as a basis for seriously reviewing the introduction of Korean language courses, with hopes that the initiative could become a new model for expanding Korean language education in public schools.

(Source: TexasN https://texasn.com/단독-텍사스-테일러-교육구-한국어-제2외국어-도입-추/ )