Analyzing Learning Activities in Korean Standard Language Textbooks for Korean Language Differentiated Instruction: From the Perspective of the Multiple Intelligences Theory

The characteristics of multicultural students are very diverse linguistically, culturally, andpsychologically compared to the general population. Therefore, Korean language education for themcan maximize learning efficiency through customized learning activities that reflect these characteristics. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the extent to which Korean language teaching materialswere designed and published by the Korean Language Institute, which aims to provide customizedKorean language education consisting of various learning activities to reflect the characteristics ofmulticultural students. Methods: This study analyzed what learning activities are presented in Standard Korean (for elementaryand middle school students) and Sejong Korean (for the general public) textbooks and teacher's guidespublished by the KNK based on the strength intelligence activities of the Multiple Intelligences theory. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the average learning activities in the standard Koreantextbooks related to strength intelligence were linguistic intelligence (57.9%), visual-spatial intelligence(24.5%), and interpersonal intelligence (10.4%) while learning activities related to natural explorationintelligence were rare. In the standard Korean textbooks for high school students, 54.30% of the learningactivities were related to verbal-linguistic intelligence and the lowest number were related tointerdisciplinary learning. Conclusion: The learning activities presented in Korean textbooks are required to reflect the diverselearning characteristics of multicultural students and do not reflect the interests and concerns ofmulticultural students. In order to make Korean language education fun and exciting, it is necessaryto develop Korean language teaching materials that present various learning activities that reflect thestrengths of multicultural students' intelligence.