Helping your child settle at school

If your child is struggling, tell the class teacher first. The school is the front door.

Support available at school

• Korean as a Second Language (KSL) classes — separate lessons for pupils whose Korean is limited.
• Bilingual instructors and interpretation — bridging school and home.
• Mentoring for multicultural pupils — university student mentors for study and settling in.
• School counsellors (Wee Class) — counselling rooms within the school.
• After-school programmes and care classes — see after-school-care.
• Careers and further-study guidance

Enrolment and transfer

1. Enquire at your district education office or the school.
2. Prepare the documents — residence card, entry/exit records, school documents from home (translation and apostille may be needed). See apostille-documents.
3. A credential review may determine the year group.
4. After enrolment, apply for support such as KSL classes.
5. Ask a family centre for study and interpretation support alongside.

When your child

• Doesn't want to go to school — talk to the class teacher; it may be bullying.
• Can't make friends — mentoring and after-school activities help.
• Can't follow lessons — request KSL classes and study support.
• Struggles with identity — being bilingual is a strength, not a burden. See bilingual-environment.
• Seems to be suffering emotionally — see psychological-child.

Where to go

• The class teacher and school counsellor
• Your district education office
• 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (multilingual)
• Local family centres
• 117 school violence reporting

Questions people ask

I can't read the school's notices. Ask a family centre for interpretation and translation. You can also ask the school for multilingual notices. See interpretation-service.

I think my child is being bullied. Speak to the class teacher immediately and report to 117 if needed. Keep records.

We don't have school documents from home. Explain the situation to the district education office — alternative procedures such as credential review sometimes exist.

My child only wants to speak Korean. Your own language is a precious asset too. Use the bilingual programmes at family centres. See bilingual-environment.

Take care

What matters most is that your child doesn't feel "only I am different". Parents attending school events and communicating with teachers changes how a child settles. If language is hard, ask for interpretation. When parents shrink back, children do too.

Related

child-education-support · bilingual-environment · psychological-child · language-development · after-school-care

Source

Ministry of Education www.moe.go.kr / As of 2026-08