The Bronx High School of Science added the Korean language to its permanent foreign language program. The prestigious high school in the Bronx began offering Korean language instruction as an elective three years ago. The intended upgrading of Korean into the group of compulsory languages from which high school students must choose is the result of the program’s success.

Since the first day of enrollment for the Korean class – February 6, 2006 – interest has been high: 19 students applied for instruction at the elementary level, and the number increased to 31 by February 10. School administrators and language instructors predict a steady rise in students – both incoming and current – wishing to enroll in Korean language classes and are not worried about filling up classes for next fall. The school predicts that a second and possibly even third class will be necessary to cover the number of applicants.

One Korean language instructor, Ms. Choi, said, “Students usually choose their foreign languages close to the cutoff deadline for course selection. In the case of Korean, there was a high turn-out on the first day of course selection, which surprised many of the faculty – foreign language instructors and school administrators. Based on student response, the director of the foreign language program at the Bronx Science High School promised,” a seat for every student interested in studying Korean.”

The elementary level Korean class consists of students of varied racial backgrounds, including Japanese and Chinese. School administrators see this as indicative of a development that could sweep across the country, and result in Korean being offered as a standard compulsory foreign language in high schools across America.

Ms. Choi, the Korean instructor added, “The deadline for enrollment in the elementary level Korean class will be February 15. I believe that if parents and students both continue to express such a high degree of interest in having Korean language instruction at Bronx Science High School, we will see the elevation of Korean from an elective foreign language into the category of compulsory foreign language.”