Korean Language Classes for Kids (K–12)

Home / KOREAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM / Korean Language Classes for Kids (K–12)

Live Korean classes for kids that build fluency, confidence, and cultural pride—online or in person

Connecting with Culture

Cultural Immersion

Online Classes for All Ages

Accordion content goes here!

Small Classes

Develop Pride

Developing Curious Learners

Our Philosophy: Practical Language Learning: Focusing on Real-World Application—Built on ACTFL Standards

Language should work in real life. We focus on what a learner can do with Korean in everyday situations.
We align to ACTFL (the national roadmap for language learning) so skills build in the right order and you can see clear progress every term.

What this looks like in class:

We offer an immersive experience that helps children not only speak the language—but feel connected to it.

ACTFL Korean

A Unique Korean Language Experience for Children

At Korean American Center, we believe the earlier children begin learning Korean, the stronger their connection to language, culture, and identity will be. Our K–12 Korean language program offers a dynamic, age-appropriate path for kids to develop real language skills—while celebrating their heritage and having fun.

All classes are live and interactive, not self-paced videos. Whether in person or online, students learn from certified Korean language instructors, following a curriculum that’s developmentally appropriate, culturally rich, and backed by global education standards.

We’re proud to be the only Korean language institute in the U.S. designated as a King Sejong Institute by the South Korean government and fully WASC-accredited—a mark of academic quality and excellence recognized across California schools.

How We Measure Progress

Our curriculum is aligned with ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages, beginning at the Novice Low level and building upward through each grade band.

We set clear goals for: reading/listening, speaking, and writing/presenting—so you always know what your child can do next. 

An end of week snap-shot will include what you child can do, for example:

Every week you’ll receive a simple snapshot of what your child can do in Korean—and what’s next.

Learn Korean for Kids Korean classes in person and online

What Makes Korean American Center Different?

The 3 Ways We Build Korean

We follow ACTFL’s national roadmap, so your child learns to Understand, Talk Together, and Share with clear “I can…” goals.

Understand What You Read/Watch/Hear (Interpretive)

Making sense of Korean you read, hear, or watch.

Real World Application: Reading a short comic; following teacher directions or a song chorus, getting the main idea from short stories/videos

  • “I can follow simple class directions.”
  • “I can understand the main idea of a story.”
  • “I can understand a short video made for kids.”
  • Talk Together/Speaking (Interpersonal)

    Back-and-forth conversation in real time—asking, answering, and fixing misunderstandings.

    Real World Application: partner chats about weekend plans; role-play ordering snacks.

  • "I can ask and answer simple questions about my family and school.”
  • “I can ask and answer how someone feels.”
  • “I can ask and answer questions about school or hobbies.”
  • Share Your Message
    Writing/Speaking (Presentational)

    Planning and delivering something for others—spoken or written.

    Real World Application: a 30-second show-and-tell; a short note or card to grandparents.

  • "I can write my name and a label in Hangul."
  • “I can give a 30-second introduction with slides.”
  • “I can write a 3–4 sentence note to my grandparents.”
  • Korean American Center in the News

    This KCAL News segment from CBS Los Angeles reports on a historic achievement by the Korean American Center (KAC) in Irvine, California. The center has become the first Korean language school in the United States to receive official accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

    Hear's What Our Learners & Parents Are Saying

    We asked some of our learners and parents how they would describe our program and here's what they said -

    Susan L.
    Parent of 5th Grader Learner
    "The teachers are so patient and energetic. They make the lessons fun and age-appropriate, which really helps the kids remember new words and phrases. My daughter enjoyed this program much more than another she attended—and now she’s using Korean with relatives at home."
    Grace K.
    Student, 9th Grader
    "I’ve taken other Korean classes before, but this program is the first one that really helped me understand instead of just memorizing. Being immersed in both the language and culture every day gave me confidence to speak with my family at home. Even small moments, like being able to answer my grandmother in Korean, felt so meaningful."
    Brian L.
    Student, 8th Grade
    "What I loved most is how comfortable it felt to learn here. I wasn’t afraid to make mistakes because the teachers and classmates were all really supportive. The lessons didn’t just cover language, but also Korean history and culture, which made me feel closer to my heritage."
    Jennifer K
    Parent - 4th Grader
    "What I love most is that this program doesn’t just teach Korean—it brings the culture to life. From crafts to cooking, every activity kept my child engaged and excited to learn. We’ve tried other programs, but this one stood out for its balance of language and cultural immersion."
    Zoey G.
    Student, 10th Grade (Online)
    "Through KAC, I gained so much knowledge about Korean history and language. The teachers were kind and patient, and I really appreciated how much effort they put into making class enjoyable. I’m glad I joined—it’s made me want to keep learning more Korean."
    Matt L.
    Student, 7th Grade (Online)
    "Before this class, I always felt disconnected from Korean culture, but now I feel so much closer to my heritage. I’m not just learning words—I’m learning how to really speak, understand, and connect with my family in a meaningful way. I’m grateful for the supportive teachers."

    Flexible Class Formats for Every Family

    We offer flexible ways for K–12 students to learn Korean:

    In-Person Classes (Irvine, CA)

    Small-group, in-person classes offer a highly interactive, social setting. Students engage with peers and participate in hands-on cultural activities each week.
    Korean American Center – 20 Truman St, Irvine, CA

    Online Classes (Live via Zoom)

    Students participate in real-time lessons from anywhere, with the same high-quality instruction and curriculum as in-person. Great for busy families or those outside the Irvine area.

    Who Should Enroll

    Our K–12 Korean language classes are perfect for:

    Korean Classes for Kids

    🗓️ Class Schedule & Enrollment

    Space is limited, and our small class sizes fill quickly. Early registration is encouraged.

    You May also Be Interested In

    American Korean Institute

    Learn Korean. Experience Culture. Connect Community.From our roots in Orange County to learners everywhere, our accredited Korean language and culture programs bring expert teaching and cultural connection online and in person.

    Recent Blogs