Exploring Korean Folktale Education as a Means of Enhancing Cultural Literacy in Korean Language Learning

Abstract

This study aims to propose an education plan for cultural literacy as a means to systematically understand culture in Korean language education, which has increasingly emphasized mutual cultural exchange and learning in recent years. To carry out these activities meaningfully, it is crucial to accurately read and understand each culture, and cultural literacy education can be an effective method for achieving this goal. This study demonstrates the significance of cultural literacy education, particularly through folktales that reflect the values, thoughts, and lives of Koreans in the past. We reconceptualize the concept of cultural literacy based on various studies and present a cultural literacy class model. Additionally, we select a representative Korean tale, “The Brother and Sister Who Became the Sun and the Moon,” and provide detailed class contents and activities based on the class model. By integrating various studies, this study summarizes the concept and elements of cultural literacy and proposes a specific plan for learning cultural literacy through Korean folktales. This research offers a valuable contribution to the field of cultural education by demonstrating the importance of cultural literacy and providing a practical approach to teaching it through a traditional Korean story.