Korean Braille at 100: Korea Certifies Its First 20 Braille Instructors

[Financial News] For the first time in Korea, 20 people have qualified as “braille instructors,” nationally certified professionals who teach braille to people with visual impairments.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of Korean Language on the 4th, those who obtained the qualification already had experience teaching braille or held certificates as braille transcribers and proofreaders. They completed at least 120 additional hours of training in the program, which was offered for the first time this year, and received Level 2 certificates after undergoing a qualification review.
The braille instructor qualification is a national credential awarded to people with expertise in braille education under the Braille Act. Under the revised Braille Act, which took effect last February, efforts were made to train specialists to provide systematic braille education to people with visual impairments. This year marks both the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Korean Braille and the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the Braille Act.
To receive a Level 2 qualification, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: at least 300 hours of experience teaching braille; a Level 3 or higher certificate as a braille transcriber or proofreader; or a passing score at the beginner level or above on the braille proficiency test. They must then complete a training course that has been approved as suitable and undergo a qualification review.
The training program covers five areas: understanding visual impairment, braille standards, the braille curriculum, braille instruction, and practical training in braille education. In addition to Hangul, the curriculum includes braille for mathematics, science and English, the development of teaching materials and aids, and methods for teaching braille reading and writing.
A Level 1 qualification can be obtained after completing at least 300 hours in total of braille teaching experience following receipt of a Level 2 qualification. A maximum of 120 hours of experience is counted per year.
Kim Yun-mi, administrative director of Songam Braille Library and recipient of Certificate No. 1, said, “I’m very happy to become the first braille instructor in this meaningful year, the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Korean Braille.” She added, “I will continue to research teaching materials and methods and do my utmost to help more people with visual impairments experience the joy of learning through braille without giving up.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of Korean Language plan to continue training and supporting braille instructors and build an environment where people with visual impairments who need braille education can receive high-quality instruction.

[email protected] Jang In-seo Reporter