Career Scope of Learning Korean in India

Are you planning to learn the Korean language in India? Are you fascinated with Korean culture, K-Pop, or maybe career prospects?

This article can help you decide if you’re unsure why to study Korean or can’t come up with any reasons to learn.

Introduction

Foreign languages have become popular these days in India.

The number of students taking their time increases day by day to study European languages to East Asian languages like Korean, Mandarin, and Japanese.

There are myriad of reasons to learn a language.

As the world is becoming a global village, foreign language Jobs are opening up like never before.

It is not just in numbers but also in the types of jobs.

There was a time when learning a foreign language was considered a secondary qualification. However, today, thanks to globalization and rising demand, students are opting for full-time careers.

If you’re not sure which language to learn?

Then Korean is a great choice.

Recently, there has been a surge in the study of one of the foreign language courses in India, which is the “Korean Language.”

Today, Many, especially youngsters, are attracted to acquiring Korean, one of the top 10 foreign languages.

The last few years have seen a steady increase in the number of students trying to learn the Korean language in India.

Why learn Korean of all the choices?

The importance of learning a foreign language in India cannot be overemphasized or ignored.

Many have realized that speaking a foreign language is one of the best ways to enhance one’s career choice and employment prospects.

There are many vacancies in foreign departments, businesses, and offices, but these spaces remain unoccupied due to the absence of proper foreign language qualifications.

Most people prefer studying German, French, or Spanish language when deciding to learn a foreign language.

Only a few considered languages are spoken in East Asia.

Thanks to the emergence of Japan in the 1970s, South Korea in the 1980s, and the People’s Republic of China in the 1990s, the East Asian economic powerhouses, with their giant international companies, expanded their business footprints in India.

They took advantage of India’s new economic liberalization business policy of the Government of India.

One such foreign language is the Korean Language.

Learning Korean in India can enhance your job opportunity.

It is the sixteenth most spoken tongue and the official language of North Korea and South Korea.

Today, It is hard to find a South Korean who is unfamiliar with him.

For Indians, the benefits lie in the substantial economic prospects it offers.

There is a growing demand for Korean language experts in many international companies in India and elsewhere globally.

The career scope of Learning Korean is phenomenal and quite lucrative.

These companies usually prefer to hire someone who knows how to speak Korean ahead of any other candidate during recruitment.

Benefits of Learning the Korean Language in India

There are lots of reasons to learn.

I have listed quite a few below, and if any of them resonate with you, then find a Korean language institute or teacher and start your classes immediately.

Here are some apparent advantages you will get to enjoy learning the Korean language in India.

1. Improved Career Opportunities

It is no longer a secret that the world is becoming a global village through rapid technological advancement.

It has also significantly accelerated the integration of economics of various nations worldwide, including South Korea and India.

Today, India and South Korea’s trade records have increased tremendously, and many Korean companies are operating in the Indian market.

Most of these companies look for people that will act as intermediaries between their business and clients—the ones who can easily translate their business intentions with India’s local community on their behalf.

Learning the Korean Language will put you in a better position to earn big in these areas. Moreover, there are many jobs involving languages where your Korean knowledge can add significant value to your curriculum vitae.

These include;

(i) Interpreter

Armed with your knowledge and certification, you can apply for a job at the foreign embassy office where you can act as an interpreter.

There is a high demand for Korean interpreters, and the competition is also relatively low due to the limited supply.

With the advent of new technology like teleconferencing and video-conferencing, it is now possible to hold conferences and meetings between India and their counterparts in South Korea without traveling between the two countries.

Several private translation agencies employ personnel having good knowledge of Korean. A person can work free-lance after gaining a few years’ experience.

Since there are very few people who are proficient in Korean; thus, professional Korean interpreters are paid handsomely.

(ii) Translator

Language translation is one of the most lucrative jobs on the internet. You will come across many websites that offer similar jobs.

You can quickly bid for every Korean translation job into the European or Indian language or the other way around.

It is a well-paying career option if you are good at your work and have enough experience to boost your profile.

Korean experts can earn handsome money in the ever-increasing digitalized world by working as freelancers in different domains, such as translators, proofreaders, etc.

You will be surprised to know that almost 50% prefer not to join any company but prefer to work as a freelancer.

Interpreters and Translators as career choices are among the most sought-after jobs in the Korean language in India and abroad.

(iii) Teacher and Trainer

Your degree in the Korean language can make you a language instructor working in numerous language institutes.

Even though you might not find the pay very attractive, it is an excellent place to start your career as an instructor.

And from there, move to higher opportunities after harnessing your language skills.

Several Indian and International companies look for trainers who can train candidates for various courses, on-site opportunities, or deal with Korean customers.

As a result, skilled language teachers are finding their services in higher demand. The job opportunities in this field are plenty – across the country.

(iv) Travel and Tourism

Thousands of Korean guests visit India now and then and hire bilingual guides proficient in Korean.

You can work in the industry to assist foreign traveler, communicate with them, and work in an array of hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.

If you want to visit South Korea to travel or living, then you should learn it.

You’ll see huge benefits in your everyday life with the ability to speak the native language almost immediately.

South Korea is coming up as a popular destination for Indian tourists.

The number of Indian travelers to South Korea has increased by an average of 20% yearly.

Over two lakh Indians visited this exotic country in the calendar year 2017.

By speaking Korean, you will enjoy it to the fullest and earn their appreciation and open the door to genuine interaction and connection.

(v) Call Center, IT, BPO and KPO

A recent addition to the requirements in the industry.

You can utilize your Korean Language skills to act as a call center trainee to handle business for overseas clients.

It increases your potential export & import business and job opportunities in Korean companies and companies trading with South Korean companies.

The reason is the excellent pay package and comparatively lesser competition.

Several BPOs and KPOs have come up in India in the last decade or two. Jobs could involve speaking skills, email writing, customer support, or data processing.

2. Jobs in Korean Companies in India

What is not very well known is that more than hundreds of Korean companies and groups have a presence in India.

These companies operate in almost every sector, i.e., Information Technology, business research, consumer electronics, R&D, life sciences, media, automobiles, tourism, construction industry, trading, finance, services, etc.

Korean companies prefer fluent candidates as their head offices are in Korea, and they must communicate with them frequently.

Besides, Korean companies have also provided scholarships for higher studies in the Republic of Korea.

3. Jobs in Indian Companies and other MNCs

Apart from Korean companies in India, many Indian companies have invested in S.Korea, like Tata Motors has bought Daewoo Commercial Vehicles, and M&M has bought Ssangyong Motors.

In addition to these acquisitions, many companies like Infosys, TCS, L&T Infotech, Wipro, etc., have branch offices in S.Korea.

Thanks to Indo-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK-CEPA), there are significant export opportunities for several Indian products in the Korean market, including mineral fuels / mineral oils, iron and steel, organic chemicals, aluminum and articles thereof, residues and waste from food industries, cotton products, and more.

Knowledge of Korean could land you a plum job in many Indian export companies.

Not only Indian and South Korean companies, but there are 100’s MNCs from India, the USA, and Europe who hire Korean language professionals for their offices in India.

Jobs in these MNCs are related to accounting payables, translations, sales, purchases, technical writings, proofreading, and interpretation, to name a few.

The salary depends on the language, the nature of the job, the subject’s technicality, and proficiency. And, of course, the qualifications and experience of the hired person.

In most cases, companies who look for specific field specialists with the ability to communicate in Korean usually give a language premium on top of the basic salary to the successful candidate.

4. Improving business and personal relationship

If you are interacting with Korean-speaking people working for an S.Korea-based company like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia, Posco, etc., well, then learning the language will make you a more valuable asset to the company.

If the company plans to expand, your knowledge of the Korean language will put you ahead of others considering any post in the company.

Those whom you have been interacting with would be quick to recommend you.

Learning the Korean language will also help you strengthen friendships and business relationships with Korean-speaking friends or family members.

It can enable you to break the ice with professional colleagues and friends from near and far. S.Korea Government also offers ample scholarships for higher studies in the country.

5. Improve your Brain Power

One of the rewards of learning a second language is that being bilingual boosts intellectual growth and enhances mental development.

Acquiring the Korean language will stimulate your mind and that your brain is always active and healthy.

6. The Korean Culture and Practical concepts

Many who study Korean do so because they are Korean movies, music, and TV shows.

Many people worldwide are fascinated by the country’s K-pop artists, such as BTS, Big Bang, EXO, TWICE, AoA, Girls Generation, Wanna One, SHINee, and Blue Velvet. The list is infinite!

All of these had accelerated people’s interest in studying the Korean Language.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes