In this context, thanks to an initiative by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Uruguay, a national center for the teaching of the Korean language was established: the King Sejong Institute Montevideo, which has been located on the Downtown Campus of Universidad ORT Uruguay August 31, 2015.
The King Sejong Institute in Montevideo offers Korean language courses using a teaching methodology based on the international standard model for Korean education established 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 currently at its peak in the region.
K-pop (short for Korean pop) is a musical genre that encompasses various styles (dance, hip hop, rap, rock, and R&B) and refers specifically to popular music from South Korea.
In 2012, K-pop made a splash in the mainstream Western media with Psy’s song “Gangnam Style,” which went viral online 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, took the pop music world by storm by becoming the first group to top the Billboard 200 chart.
BTS has become the world's most popular group, inspiring young people to believe in themselves through their song "Love Yourself."
Just as K-pop continues to spread around the world, Korean culture, music, and dance are also gaining popularity.
In addition, interest in Korean dramas and movies is growing thanks to Netflix.
As a result of these events, interest in the Korean language and culture increased significantly.
Courses
Through the King Sejong Institute in Montevideo, Universidad ORT Uruguay offer—initially—two courses:
- Korean language courses at various levels.
- Courses on Korean culture.
| Level | Course | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 1A Division | Sejong 1 |
| 1B | Sejong 2 | |
| Level 2 | 2A Division | Sejong 3 |
| 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
The Korean language courses are offered as part of an agreement between the King Sejong Institute in Montevideo and Universidad ORT Uruguay.
They are open to anyone interested in learning the language and experiencing Korean culture.
The school offers two Korean language courses and one cultural studies course.
Goals of the school
- Promote the Korean language and culture in Uruguay.
- Collaborate on student, faculty, and researcher exchange programs with various Korean universities.
- Provide materials and textbooks in Korean.
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 since previous years do not have to pay tuition.
Special Course: Travel Korean (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. Meals (식사)
4. Shopping
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 (Tourism 2)
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
Programme:
[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]
Discussion on food delivery orders
Hands-on practice with real-world applications or calls
[Week 8]
Read the menu
Read and explain the dishes on the menu
[Week 9]
Compare food
“A is more … than B”
[Week 10]
Coffee and Dessert Culture in Korea
Conversations for Ordering Drinks and Desserts
[Week 11]
Dining Experience Report
Presentation of a Dining Experience
[Week 12]
Slang and expressions related to food
“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.