Idiomatic expressions are essential for fluency, rich vocabulary and effective communication. However, it is difficult for foreign learners to learn them naturally. Therefore, in order to effectively teach idiomatic expressions to foreign learners, a new teaching and learning method is needed.
However, in the field of Korean language education, the teaching of idiomatic expressions is not conducted sufficiently and systematically, nor are there many studies on how to teach idiomatic expressions.
The purpose of this study is to teach Korean idiomatic expressions systematically and effectively. To this end, the study was conducted focusing on the following two contents. First, for systematic purposes, the teaching list of Korean idiomatic expression was reorganized. Second, for effectiveness, the teaching and learning method of using webtoons, expressed in pictures and letters, is suggested.
Chapter 1 presents the purpose and necessity of this study. The direction and the method for this study are set as well. In addition, the subject, the content, and the method of this study are specified by reviewing previous studies.
Chapter 2 rearranges the teaching list of Korean idiomatic expressions education that has been used in the educational field. The concepts and categories of Korean idiomatic expressions to be covered in this study are presented. It summarizes the main characteristics of Korean idiomatic expressions and it suggests the need to educate foreign learners on this topic. After that, the teaching list of 137 Korean idiomatic expressions is divided into 22 for the beginner level, 48 for the intermediate level, and 67 for the advanced level.
In Chapter 3, the criteria for selecting webtoons as educational materials is prepared, and accordingly, an appropriate webtoon for the teaching of Korean idiomatic expressions is selected. First, the concept, characteristics, educational value, and points to note in application are discussed. After that, 5 criteria for selecting webtoons as educational materials are determined. Then, 6 webtoons that meet the selection criteria are selected and judged for suitability. As a result, the webtoon 〈University Diary〉 is found to be the most suitable.
In Chapter 4, education plans for Korean idiomatic expressions by level are presented using the webtoon 〈University Diary〉 selected in Chapter 3. The educational value of the webtoon 〈University Diary〉 as an educational material for Korean idiomatic expressions is explained and it analyzes how many Korean idiomatic expressions were used in the webtoon. A total of 64 idiomatic expressions were used in 50 episodes out of 291 episodes. Among them, one idiom for each level is selected and lesson plans using the PPP teaching procedure model are presented.
The teaching list of Korean idiomatic expressions and the webtoon used as an educational material presented in this study are not absolute. This is due to the fact that the teaching list of Korean idiomatic expressions has not been unified, and also the teaching of idiomatic expressions has been neglected. Therefore, this study is meaningful in that it tries to suggest a new direction by grafting webtoons onto the education of Korean idiomatic expressions.