The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), an exam that assesses the Korean language skills of Koreans and foreigners living abroad, has grown in popularity with over 300 test takers annually in LA.
More than half of these examinees are second-generation Koreans, utilizing TOPIK scores as proof of foreign language proficiency in college applications.
According to the Korean Education Center in Los Angeles, 117 people applied for the second half of the TOPIK test held on October 14. In the first half of the test conducted in April, 192 people participated, making the total number of examinees 309 in Los Angeles alone this year.
This marks a 35% increase from 2022’s 229 test takers and a 49% rise from the 207 test takers in 2021.
Notably, there has been a surge in applications from Americans and other foreigners. This year, 251, or 81%, of TOPIK examinees were identified as Americans or foreigners, including second-generation Korean Americans born in the United States. Remarkably, four out of five TOPIK participants are non-Koreans. South Korean nationals made up 58 of the test takers, accounting for 19% of the total.
The number of non-Korean participants also exceeded that of Korean nationals in 2021 and 2022, with 120 and 135 examinees, respectively, representing 58% and 59% of the total.
“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of test takers once dropped to 55 but has now soared past 300 in just three years,” said Director Kang. “This is the first time the proportion of foreign participants, including Americans, has surpassed 80%.”
With the anticipated introduction of customized TOPIK online classes, the expected number of applicants is projected to rise. Plans are underway to increase the frequency of the test from twice to thrice a year, a change discussed with the Ministry of Education, accompanied by a request for a budget increase.
The application of the test continues to widen, preparing students for study and work in Korea and now increasingly being used by students in their college applications.
“Following the discontinuation of the SAT Korean test, high school students applying to colleges and universities are progressively using TOPIK scores to validate their Korean language proficiency. Since it’s an official test from the Korean government, they are confident it will bolster their university applications,” explained an official.
Since its introduction in 1997, TOPIK has been administered in Los Angeles beginning in 2006. Initially, local churches and Korean schools in areas like Orange County doubled as test centers, with the exam being offered once a year. However, since the pandemic, the test has been conducted semi-annually.
BY NICOLE CHANG [chang.nicole@koreadaily.com]ly.com]
