MMA Only Missouri School to Receive Korean Language Program Grant

Missouri Military Academy cadets are getting a new opportunity to explore Korean language and culture — with MMA standing out as the only school in Missouri to receive a Korean Language Program Grant from the Korean Education Center at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago for the 2026-27 academic year.

The $2,600 grant supports the launch of Korean I as a regular academic course at MMA, providing funding for Korean-language instructional materials, classroom resources and cultural experiences for cadets. The Korean Education Center has also provided educational resources and connected MMA with the Midwest Korean Teachers Association.

“This is an exciting opportunity to build a Korean language program that gives cadets experiences both inside and outside the classroom,” Instructor Sungtae Hwang said. “I want them to use what they are learning, experience Korean culture firsthand and develop the confidence and curiosity to continue exploring the language.”

Korean I introduces cadets with little or no prior knowledge of the language to fundamental listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Throughout the semester, cadets will learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and practice using Korean in familiar, everyday situations.

The course also explores Korean history, traditions, customs, food, music, media and contemporary society. Through authentic materials such as menus, signs, advertisements and video clips, cadets will connect language learning with cultural understanding.

A central goal of the program is to extend learning beyond the classroom. Cadets will have the opportunity to visit the University of Missouri Korean program, where they can practice introductions, ask questions and interact with other Korean-language learners and instructors.

Hwang is also planning visits to Korean restaurants and other off-campus cultural experiences, giving cadets opportunities to apply their developing language skills in authentic settings. In the classroom, cultural activities — including opportunities to explore Korean food and snacks — are incorporated into language instruction.

As the program develops, cadets will demonstrate their learning through conversations, presentations and creative projects that combine language skills with cultural knowledge and personal reflection.

With support from the Korean Education Center and opportunities for experiential learning, MMA’s new Korean I course gives cadets a foundation for continued language study while encouraging curiosity about Korean culture and the wider world.