KIIP Korean Immigration Integration Programme (사회통합프로그램)

[leabea87]

My last day of Korean classes elsewhere was on Saturday. Sunday was my first day of class/KIIP. 

As others have mentioned, you need to take a placement test. If you choose not to, you'll automatically be placed in level 0. Because I live just outside of Daegu, I took the placement test at Keimyung University on August 8th. It was the only day immigration offered the exam. Anyone interested in the program had to take the exam at the aforementioned site no matter where they currently live in Gyeongbuk and where they plan to take the course. Now, about that placement test. It's hectic! Specifically, the organization or lack thereof, of the various parts of the exam rather than the content of the exam itself, ESPECIALLY the oral part. I wish someone had warned me of this prior. If they had, I might have done better. =(

In my class there are about 15 students. I believe no more than 20 students are allowed in each class. With the exception of four people, everyone is older than me. My classmates are from all over the world: Bangladesh, Brazil, Jamaica, Nepal, Scotland, Syria, and the United States. We're quite the melting pot and I love it! A lot of the older women are here because their husbands are employed here. I believe they're all housewives but don't quote me on that. Some of the men are professors at the local universities. There are also EPIK teachers and TALK scholars in the class as well. KIIP is a great way to meet people from different walks of life in SoKo.

Our instructors command over the English language is okay. However, during the first class, I noticed that she lacks the ability to explain Korean grammar in English, which seems to be the common denominator among us students...(?) Only myself and another young lady were able to understand everything she said in Korean. Some would argue that this is a good thing because it forces students to try harder to understand the instructor. Others would make the argument that it is in fact a Korean language class; and therefore, we should only speak Korean. I'm choosing to look at it as an opportunity for me to get some experience/practice translating. Here's the thing though. What if I wasn't in the class? How would the instructor be able to explain fundamental elements of Korean grammar like 명사,동사,형용사, 빈도부사,etc. if the students don't already possess a basic understanding of them? If you do decide to enroll in KIIP in the spring, my advice to you or anyone else interested in the program would be to make sure you have a basic understanding of Korean grammar just in case you get a teacher that can't thoroughly explain concepts in English.

The best thing about KIIP is that it's free! Other than the structure of the placement test, I've got no complaints. What I listed above was merely an observation.

Good luck with your studies!

[ksurfer]

This is very informative. I was wondering what other requirements need to be met before it's worth attempting to apply for the F2 visa. Just curious - does anyone know if the professional experience discussed is related to the field relevant to your degree? Or what constitutes 'professional'  experience? It seems pretty vague in the blog - almost like having any job for more than a year gets you some points.

I'm curious about this as well. I worked for 6 years as a security manager at home before coming to Korea so I'm hoping that will suffice for 5 points for "professional" experience. If anyone else has claimed these points, please share the requirements immigration required in the documentation. Thanks.



The extra points criteria section is vague, but here is what I do know.
These points are imperative for a lot of people.

If you want to know more about the professional experience abroad points call 1345.  They said teaching would count.  As far as other work goes, I have no idea.

If you complete 1 semester of a Korean language class at a university in Korea, you will get 1 point regardless of the time or level. You just need the certificate of completion form the university. I called and asked.

You can get 1 point for volunteer work if you volunteer for 50 hours or more at least six different times for at least a year at a recognized public institution.  It must be within a 1-year period. You cannot do 50 hours over 2 years

 Visit your  local자원봉사센터.   I started doing this by teaching English 2 hours a week in a church. However I moved to another city, and then found out I could get a point for my university certificate, as it is no longer all six levels of a university course you need.  The volunteer center will issue a certificate of your hours when you finish.  자원봉가활동 확인서.   You need to log into 1365.go.kr

Volunteering and studying Korean a semester at a Korean university are the easiest ways to get the extra point or two that a lot of people will probably need to get the visa.

[sandwich31]

Is anyone else having difficulty signing up to the website? I keep getting an error message saying that my ID number and name don't match. I've already experienced some minor confusion in Korea because I have two middle names. I've written my name in as many formats as I can think of 

Have you tried entering your name without spaces? I had a similar problem on another website and that worked.

[24open_yangsan_gukbap]

I'm signed up to take the placement test in Busan on November 1. IF anyone else is interested in starting, you can probably take the test on that date.

Can you give me some advice on what to expect from it? What kinds of questions do they ask in the oral exam?

I'm also interested in the F-2-7 visa. I have a Master of Education degree, and I'm on my third year here.

Here's a couple other links that are informative. Basically, this guy's whole blog is informative, so dig around a bit:

http://www.keytokorean.com/blog/tech/how-to-register-for-the-free-kiip-korean-class/

http://www.keytokorean.com/resources/kiip/what-to-expect-at-the-kiip-level-test/

[Mashley30]

I'm signed up to take the placement test in Busan on November 1. IF anyone else is interested in starting, you can probably take the test on that date.

I thought the last placement test was in August? How can I check if there is more before 2015?

[SnackySnack]

I'm signed up to take the placement test in Busan on November 1. IF anyone else is interested in starting, you can probably take the test on that date.

I thought the last placement test was in August? How can I check if there is more before 2015?

Mashley you can check with your local immigration office. You can also call 1345 which is the Immigration # for foreigners.

Also, re: days/times of KIIP classes - my class is on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 2pm. So there are def many options out there^^

[aintheROK]

Does anybody know if they offer alternative placement test dates??  I am unable to do the upcoming test on 11/1 but definitely don't want to wait until the next round of classes to begin.  I will be calling my local office to ask this week, but just curious if anybody knows if this has been an option previously.

[shostager]

How late do they usually decide the locations for the placement tests? I'm scheduled to take one on 11/1, but the website says the evaluation location is "not decided." It's in less than a week; should I be worried?

[CanineKimchi]

How late do they usually decide the locations for the placement tests? I'm scheduled to take one on 11/1, but the website says the evaluation location is "not decided." It's in less than a week; should I be worried?

I asked my coteacher to call a couple days ago and they said the location is still not decided. 

[sakyibea08]

Does anybody know if they offer alternative placement test dates??  I am unable to do the upcoming test on 11/1 but definitely don't want to wait until the next round of classes to begin.  I will be calling my local office to ask this week, but just curious if anybody knows if this has been an option previously.

Hi, did you get any information about this? I don't think I can't make this weekend's test either.

[belo horizonte]

Does anybody know if they offer alternative placement test dates??  I am unable to do the upcoming test on 11/1 but definitely don't want to wait until the next round of classes to begin.  I will be calling my local office to ask this week, but just curious if anybody knows if this has been an option previously.

If you miss the placement test you can still do the course, you'll just get placed in the lowest level class. I believe they only have one exam date before each round of classes. However, if you can't even make it to the exam then it's very likely that you won't manage to make all of the classes...

[macteacher]

Anyone know when the next round of classes start? or does it vary by area?

[24open_yangsan_gukbap]

It looks like today is the last day to register. If you haven't done it, try to get it done now.

I sincerely doubt that they will offer alternative testing dates. I had the same problem, because the last test date was during summer vacation, and I was outside the country.

To clarify the last comment, without a placement test score, you can start on Level 0, which is a 15 hour class that starts with hangul and the most basic vocabulary, then you'll go into level 1 after a couple of weeks. If you're confident that your level is higher than that, hold out for the next placement test, which will probably be in late January.

[sunny365]

Is anyone else getting an error message too about no classes avaliable?  Am I doing something wrong? I went to 사회통합프로그램 신청 and filled out the top part to get an error message that says "Social Intergration Program unavailable". ..OTL

[SnackySnack]

Anyone know when the next round of classes start? or does it vary by area?

In the Daegu area the next round of classes starts in March. There are also online classes but I believe they also start in March. Classes seem to be roughly 3 months on (Oct, Nov and early December) and 3 months off December, January, Feb) and so on.

[robin_teacher]

Is anyone else getting an error message too about no classes avaliable?  Am I doing something wrong? I went to 사회통합프로그램 신청 and filled out the top part to get an error message that says "Social Intergration Program unavailable". ..OTL

I finally got it to accept a variation of my, apparently bloody awkward, name and I'm facing the same message. Guess we missed it. 

[sunny365]

@robin teacher
Haha TT after wasting all that time trying to register too, apparently it didn't like my name either.

[aintheROK]

Does anybody know if they offer alternative placement test dates??  I am unable to do the upcoming test on 11/1 but definitely don't want to wait until the next round of classes to begin.  I will be calling my local office to ask this week, but just curious if anybody knows if this has been an option previously.

If you miss the placement test you can still do the course, you'll just get placed in the lowest level class. I believe they only have one exam date before each round of classes. However, if you can't even make it to the exam then it's very likely that you won't manage to make all of the classes...

Umm excuse me but why in the world would you write that last sentence, making ridiculous assumptions about a stranger on the internet with circumstances you know nothing about? Anyway, it seems there are no alternative testing dates, so will just have to wait until the next round. Thanks for the responses (at least from some of you).

[macteacher]

I believe you need to take the placement test before classes show up.

FYI locations for the placement test have shown up

Can anyone who's taken the placement care to give an overview? I'd like to place into level 3 if possible and was curious how difficult the test is? (is like topik level 3)

[24open_yangsan_gukbap]

Summer, I have heard that you can enter the KIIP without a level test, but you have to start from Level 0 (which is the 15 hour pre-course, I'm guessing it's like hangul and "안녕하세요"). Level 0 lasts two weeks and then you would go into Level 1 at the beginning of the semester.

Definitely contact your local immigration office and tell them that's what you want to do. I doubt you will be able to see those courses on the "my page-y", but you are eligible to take them.