Overview
- The KIIP program (사회통합프로그램) are a series of five Korean-language classes and one Korean culture class. The entire program is free, although you do have to buy the textbooks, which are less than 10,000 won each. The majority of the students are laborers, factory workers, or have Korean spouses. Finishing the KIIP program enables you to upgrade your visa, possibly to a F-2 residency visa.
- English-language overview: immigration.go.kr
- Registration: socinet.go.kr
Testing Site
There is only one Incheon location for the KIIP evaluation exam: Inha University's Social Sciences (사회과학대학) building. Your printable exam ticket will say "Building 9", and there are two buildings marked Building 9.
The "wrong" building is a blue building/warehouse, right next to the university fence, on the north side / back entrance of the university. There is no clear entrance.
The correct Building 9 - the Social Sciences department - is closer to the big main entrance, on the south side.
Location of Inha University's KIIP testing site
You can drive into the campus and park on-campus. There is also plenty of street parking surrounding the campus.
The university is right next to Inha University Station (인하대역) on the Suin Line. Walking straight out of Exit 5 will bring you to the main entrance.
Placement Test Prep
Studying previous TOPIK papers should be enough - you can download free apps with previous TOPIK papers for your phone. You can also download previous TOPIK papers directly from the TOPIK website.
While the TOPIK exam is limited to Korean-language questions, the KIIP placement test will have between 3 to 5 questions about Korean culture. Questions will be along the lines of: which of the following cities has the largest population, which holiday is most closely associated with 송편, etc.
There is one book with mock KIIP placement tests, called Level up! 사회통합프로그램. You can buy it online from Aladin or another online bookstore. Note that it is not necessary to take mock tests or prepare extensively for the test.
Placement Test - Written Test
The testing center will provide a special pen for computer-graded tests. You can bring your own black ink pen for writing your name and ARC number.
The written test is the first portion of the placement test. There are 48 objective (choose between answers A/B/C/D) and 2 subjective questions (sentence-writing). For the 2 subjective questions, flip the OMR card over and answer the questions in full sentences.
There are two approaches to taking the written test, and you must decide which result will match your study habits and commitment. For the objective section, you can either:
- Place at the appropriate level: Answer everything you can, and skip those that you can't. This approach will place you at the "correct" level for your ability, and may also place you at one level beneath your actual ability.
- Place as high as possible: For all the questions you don't understand, fill in random or educated guesses. By guessing the answers, there is a chance of testing into one or two levels above what you would have normally tested at. There are 48 objective questions, and a 25% chance of guessing each answer correctly.
Placement Test - Speaking Test
The speaking test involves 5 test-takers at time, and 2 examiners. You will need to have your ARC or Korean ID with you, and two scoresheets for the speaking tests. The examiners will collect your ARC and scoresheets at the beginning of the test. At the end of the test, your ARC will be given back to you.
The five test-takers will sit facing the two examiners. The examiners will usually test from left to right, beginning with the person seated on their left.
An A4 sheet of paper with the same paragraph is taped onto each of the 5 testing desks. Each test-taker will read the same paragraph, and the examiners will ask the same questions. If you wish to have a little more time to prepare and to listen to what the questions are, avoid sitting on the furthest left seat facing the examiners. For better chances of NOT being the first person, avoid sitting at either end of the five seats.
Levels
- 0단계 - 한국어와 한국문화 기초 (Korean Language and Culture - Foundation) - 15 hours
- 1단계 - 한국어와 한국문화 초급1 (Korean Language and Culture - Beginner 1) - 100 hours
- 2단계 - 한국어와 한국문화 초급2 (Korean Language and Culture - Beginner 2) - 100 hours
- 3단계 - 한국어와 한국문화 중급1 (Korean Language and Culture - Intermediate 1) - 100 hours
- 4단계 - 한국어와 한국문화 중급2 (Korean Language and Culture - Intermediate 2) - 100 hours
- 5단계 - 사회 이해 (Understanding Korean Society) - 50 hours
Registering for Classes
Class Availability
Attendance
You are required to attend at least 80% of the class hours. For the 100 hour class, this means attending at least 80 hours. If you have less than 80 hours, you will not be able to take the final exam, and you will have to repeat the class.
First Day of Class
On the Socinet website, make note of your class location. Bring exact change for your class textbook. Bring extra money to buy the class workbook (if there is one), and for buying lunch outside. Most places will have a water dispenser somewhere in the building, but you may want to bring a bottle of water just in case. Arrive early.
If you are taking an 8-hour class, lunch break will only be about 30-40 minutes. Pack some food with you, or figure out where you'll go for lunch.
Class Materials
Bring your own stationery. A pencil, pen, and eraser should be enough. If you like taking lots of notes, you may want to bring a notebook.
You can buy the textbook for on the first day of class, from the teacher. The textbook includes an audio CD at the back of the book. For online classes, you will be told how to buy the textbook, or you can go out and buy it on your own. The book costs under 10,000 won. If you plan to buy the book from your class, it is a good idea to find out the price ahead of time, and bring exact change.
The currently-used books are shown at the KISF website, but avoid buying it from the KISF website because your book costs under 10,000 won, and free shipping is only available for orders of 10,000 won and above.
You can get the book shipped for free from Aladin, Kyobo Books, or other online bookstores. You can also use your credit card or loyalty points on these websites.
You can also download PDF files of the textbooks on two sites: the Ministry of Justice, and also the Ilsan Center for Multicultural Education. These are pdf files only, and do not include audio downloads. You will still need the actual textbook for class, to write on.
Some teachers will require you to also buy a class workbook. The price will vary by class, but it will usually be around 10,000 won. Some teachers may distributed free photocopied worksheets in class, anywhere between 5-10 sheets per chapter. And in another case, some teachers will not provide any sort of worksheets or exercises.
Class Attendance
You will have to sign in at the end of every hour, to prove your attendance. For a 100-hour class, you will need to be present for at least 80 hours. If you miss more than 20 hours of a 100 hour class, you will automatically fail, and will need to retake the class.
Class Exam - Written Exam
Class Exam - Speaking Exam
