In this context, thanks to the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uruguay, a national center for teaching the Korean language was established, the King Sejong Institute Montevideo, which has been located on the Central Campus of Universidad ORT Uruguay August 31, 2015.
The Sejong Institute Montevideo offers Korean language courses using a teaching method based on the international standard model for Korean education developed by the National Institute of the Korean Language.
This center has by the King Sejong Foundation, an institution established by the South Korean government with the aim of providing language students and teachers with a comprehensive range of study and information services.
has than 200 institutes worldwide, and their teachers hold a Korean language teaching certificate authorized by the King Sejong Foundation.
The institute is named after the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, who created the Korean alphabet in 1446.
K-pop and Korean culture
With pop music as its driving force, South Korean culture is all the rage among teenagers around the world and is experiencing its heyday in the region.
K-pop (short for Korean pop) is a musical genre that includes various styles (dance, hip hop, rap, rock, and R&B) and refers specifically to popular music from South Korea.
In 2012, K-pop made an impact on mainstream Western media through Psy's song Gangnam Style, which spread across the internet and within a couple of months became the most viewed video in YouTube history, a record it held until 2017.
In May 2018, BTS, the new generation of K-pop, surprised the pop music world by becoming the first group to top the Billboard 200 chart.
BTS has become the most popular group in the world, inspiring young people to believe in their own convictions with the theme "Love yourself."
As Korean pop continues to spread around the world, culture, music, and dance are also on the rise.
Furthermore, interest in Korean dramas and movies is increasing through Netflix.
Due to these events, interest in the Korean language and culture increased significantly.
Courses
Through the King Sejong Institute Montevideo, Universidad ORT Uruguay offer—initially—two courses:
- Korean language courses at different levels.
- Courses on Korean culture.
| Level | Course | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Initial 1A | Sejong 1 |
| Initial 1B | Sejong 2 | |
| Level 2 | Initial 2A | Sejong 3 |
| Initial 2B | Sejong 4 | |
| Level 3 | Intermediate 1A | Sejong 5 |
| Intermediate 1B | Sejong 6 | |
| Level 4 | Intermediate 2A | Sejong 7 |
| Intermediate 2B | Sejong 8 |
Institution offering the courses
Korean language courses are offered under an agreement between the King Sejong Institute Montevideo and Universidad ORT Uruguay.
They are open to anyone interested in learning the language and getting to know Korean culture.
The institute offers two Korean language courses and one culture course.
Objectives of the institute
- Spreading Korean language and culture in Uruguay.
- Collaborate in the exchange of students, teachers, and researchers with various Korean universities.
- Provide materials and textbooks in the Korean language.
Course
Duration
First semester: March 9 to June 30, 2026.
Course load
Four hours a week of Korean language classes.
Schedule
Korean language course:
Beginner 1A-1 (Sejong 1): Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (in-person)
Beginner 1A-2 (Sejong 1): Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (in-person)
Beginner 1A-3 (Sejong 1): Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (online)
Beginner 1A-4 (Sejong 1): Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (in-person)
Beginner 1B (Sejong 2): Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (in-person)
Beginner 2A (Sejong 3): Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (in-person)
Beginner 2B (Sejong 4): Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (in-person)
Intermediate 1A (Sejong 5): Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (in-person)
Intermediate 1B (Sejong 6): Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (in-person)
Intermediate 2A (Sejong 7): Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (in-person)
Intermediate 2B (Sejong 8): Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (in-person)
Cost
Korean language course:
· General public: $12,500 (registration fee: $1,000; course fee: $11,500)
· Students, graduates, faculty, or staff of Universidad ORT Uruguay: $10,800 (registration fee: $1,000; course fee: $9,800)
The fee covers the entire semester. Students who have been enrolled in previous years do not have to pay tuition.
Special Travel Korean Course (여행 한국어)
These are the topics and phrases you need to know when traveling to Korea.
-Period: March 11 to June 24, 2026.
-Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (once a week, 30 hours total)
-Cost: $5,500 (materials included)
-Topics:
Initial: airport (공항)
1. Transportation (교통)
2. Accommodations (숙소)
3. Meal (식사)
4. Shopping (쇼핑)
5. Popular Culture 1 (대중문화1)
6. Popular Culture 2 (대중문화2)
7. Experience 1 (체험1)
8. Experience 2 (체험2)
9. Tourism 1 (Tourism 1)
10. Tourism 2 (관광2)
Special Course 2: Speaking K-Food (Delicious Korean)
This course is not about gastronomy, but rather a conversation course designed to help you practice speaking Korean using topics related to Korean food.
-Dates: March 12–June 25
-Schedule: Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
-Cost: $5,500
-Program:
[Week 1]
Introduction to Korean Food
Discussing the characteristics of Korean cuisine
[Week 2]
Basic food vocabulary
Kimchi, rice, soup, and side dishes
[Week 3]
Phrases for ordering food
Phrases for ordering at a restaurant
[Week 4]
Talking about preferences
“I like / I don’t like”
[Week 5]
Phrases for describing food
“It’s spicy,” “It’s delicious”
[Week 6]
Describing food using images
Describing dishes based on photos
[Week 7]
Conversation for food delivery orders
Practice with real-world applications or calls
[Week 8]
Read the menu
Read and explain the dishes on the menu
[Week 9]
Comparing food
“A is more … than B”
[Week 10]
Coffee and Dessert Culture in Korea
Conversations for Ordering Drinks and Desserts
[Week 11]
Food Experience Report
Presentation of a Food Experience
[Week 12]
Food-related slang and expressions
“It tastes amazing!”, “It’s the best!”
[Week 13]
A tour of regional cuisine
Discussing representative dishes by region
[Week 14]
Food debate and preferences
Debate: “This food vs. that food”
[Week 15]
Mini Korean Food Festival
Individual or team presentation + photos and videos
Enrolment
Registration deadline: February 15 via the form below.