Beyond Saturday School

Korean Skills Can Open Doors

Explore how Korean proficiency may lead to college credit, academic recognition, and career opportunities.

Potential Benefits

What Korean Can Offer

🎓

In High School

  • Seal of Biliteracy — State recognition of language proficiency
  • College applications — Demonstrate language skills
  • Language requirements — May fulfill course requirements
📚

For College

  • Placement — Test into higher-level courses
  • Credit — Many universities offer credit for proficiency
  • Time savings — Potentially skip introductory courses
🌏

For Career

  • Global companies — Valuable for Korean business connections
  • Study abroad — Access programs in Korea
  • Work opportunities — Language skills open doors
The Path

How It Works

Step 1: Learn

Build a strong
foundation in Korean

Step 2: Test

Demonstrate skills through
recognized assessments

Step 3: Apply

Use results for credit,
recognition, opportunities

Assessments

Recognized Tests for Korean

Requirements and acceptance vary by institution. Always verify current policies with your target schools.

NEWL (National Examinations in World Languages)

A standardized assessment for Korean language proficiency, administered by American Councils. Scored on a 1–5 scale similar to AP exams.

Who: High school students

When: Administered annually in spring

Learn more at American Councils →

Seal of Biliteracy

A state-level recognition awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and another language. Available in most U.S. states.

Who: High school students (requirements vary by state)

Result: Recognition on diploma and transcript

Learn more about the Seal of Biliteracy →

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)

The Korean government's official proficiency test, recognized internationally for academic and professional purposes.

Who: Anyone (students, professionals, visa applicants)

Levels: 1–6 (Beginner to Advanced)

Learn more at TOPIK Official Site →

Many universities accept Korean proficiency for credit or placement
Seal of Biliteracy available in most U.S. states
TOPIK recognized internationally for study and work
Questions

Common Questions

How do I know if my college accepts these tests?

Contact your target school's admissions or language department directly. Policies vary and change over time, so it's best to verify current requirements.

Can heritage speakers take these tests?

Yes. These assessments are open to both heritage and non-heritage learners of Korean.

What's the difference between NEWL and TOPIK?

NEWL is a U.S.-based assessment often used for college credit and the Seal of Biliteracy.
TOPIK is Korea's official test, widely used for Korean university admission and employment.

When should we start preparing?

Earlier is generally better for building strong foundations. Many students take proficiency tests in their junior or senior year of high school.

Interested in Building Korean Skills?

We help students develop strong Korean language foundations for their future goals.

Enroll Now Observe a Class

Official Resources

NEWL Official Site | TOPIK Portal | Seal of Biliteracy

Information on this page is for general guidance only. Please verify all requirements directly with relevant institutions.