The Implementation of Mediation Activities in Textbooks for Korean Learners: Focusing on Korean History Textbooks for Thai Learners of Korean

Abstract

This study outlines the mediation activities implemented in a recently published history textbook for Thai learners of Korean. It aims to explore the possibility of developing and applying mediation activities in teaching and learning in Korean language education. This study hypothesized that learners’ cognitive difficulties caused by language barriers and the subject characteristics of the text could be addressed through mediation activities. Therefore, this study examined the mediation by focusing on the “mediating a text”, which can increase the connection between “reading” and the subject, in this case, “history.” Moreover, this study discussed the characteristics of each activity for “mediating a text” and its application in Korean language classes, with examples of each sub-activity beyond the textbook design. This study is significant as it builds on the concept of mediation, which was only vaguely presented in a curriculum, and suggests specific activities applicable to teaching and learning.