Publication event for the completion of the 25 volumes of Yonsei Korean The Yonsei University Korean Language Institute (Yonsei KLI) has completed the new series of Korean language textbooks, Yonsei Korean. This new series is composed of 25 volumes—13 main textbooks, 6 practice workbooks, and 6 reading books. Divided into 6 steps, from beginner to advanced level, the series enables its users to systematically learn Korean vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The first Korean language textbook was An Intensive Course in Korean 1, written by Professor Park Chang-hae in 1960. At the time, when the Korean was not systematically taught as a foreign language, Yonsei KLI’s publication was a pioneering achievement. From the structural linguistics approach, this textbook analyzed the phonology and the syntax of Korean language and organized sentence pattern drills. For the learners from English-speaking backgrounds, the lessons on grammar and actual conversation were translated into English. In 1965, An Intensive Course in Korean 2 was published for intermediate-advanced learners. This book was equipped with descriptions of Korean culture and society as well. In the 1970s, in order to address the needs of a wider range of learners, new textbooks and new teaching methods were in need. For this reason, the first main textbook An Intensive Course in Korean 1 was augmented and divided into Korean 1 and Korean 2. Korean 1 was written by Professor Park Chang-hae and Park Ki-deok in 1973, and Korean 2 was written by Professor Park Ki-deok in 1980. In 1979, Yonsei KLI also published three volumes of Korean Reading for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This was the first Korean reading textbook that was published by an educational institute of the Korean language in Korea. In the 1990s, along with the variety of learners and the change in teaching methods, new teaching theories were applied to the development of Korean textbooks. With the start of two beginner-level textbooks—Korean 1 and Korean 2, the remaining four were published in succession, completing the six-volume series. Korean 1 was especially translated into four languages—English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian, reaching sales of 40,000 copies. Also, in 1998, Yonsei KLI published a series of five volumes of Korean reading books which were based on the latest theories of reading. As Yonsei KLI’s fourth regular textbook series, Yonsei Korean is an accomplishment of a 10-year period of research development by 73 researchers and practitioners. The Yonsei KLI launched its research project for the new textbook series in 2000, and in 2007 Yonsei Korean 1 was published, followed by other main textbooks, reading books, and workbooks. Now, in 2010, the series of 25 volumes has finally been completed. As it has always done in its history of 51 years, Yonsei KLI will carry on developing the most distinguished Korean language education program. Yonsei KLI will broaden the understanding of Korean society and the people by teaching and learning the Korean language; foster the spirit of appreciation and respect among different cultures through the exchange of language and culture; and carry out Yonsei University’s educational statement by making contributions to the development of the global society and mankind.