We are pleased to announce that the 17th Nationwide Student Korean Heritage Foreign Language Speaking Contest 2025 will be held. This annual event provides a valuable platform for young cultural diplomats to demonstrate their deep understanding of Korea’s rich national heritage and their outstanding language skills.
The purpose of this contest is to help young people develop the ability to communicate our cultural heritage to the world in various languages and to foster a strong sense of cultural identity. It serves as an opportunity for the youth, who will become Korea’s future leaders, to acquire the cultural competence needed to communicate with people from around the world by utilizing the national heritage passed down from our ancestors.
The global success of K-culture once again highlights the importance of Korean cultural heritage. By encouraging participants to explain the historical significance and value of Korean cultural heritage in various languages, this contest directly contributes to this trend. Such deep understanding and effective communication will ensure that many visitors to Korea are amazed by the brilliant cultural heritage of Korea and remember it for a long time.
Now in its 17th year, this contest goes beyond foreign language fluency and requires participants to have a profound understanding of Korean cultural heritage as well as the creativity to find easy and diverse ways to interpret it. This is possible not only with excellent foreign language skills, but also with deep knowledge of our cultural heritage and creative expression abilities.
The goal of this contest goes beyond simply acquiring language skills or historical knowledge. By emphasizing communication skills, cultural identity, understanding and knowledge of cultural heritage, and creativity, the contest aims to help students develop the multifaceted competencies needed to become future cultural ambassadors. When the younger generation acquires these abilities, Korea can effectively build its national soft power through individual capabilities.
The International Exchange and Cultural Promotion Institute, which hosts this contest, was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization under the Korea Heritage Service. It has played an important role as a private exchange channel, particularly in training Youth Cultural Heritage Guides and supporting youth Heritage Guardians activities under the Korea Heritage Service.
In particular, “Marie Story” is a representative youth experiential learning program of the Institute, dedicated to helping children and youth establish their identity through Korean history and culture and grow into future global leaders. The program aims to nurture internationally minded talents who can confidently introduce Korean culture to the world stage, and to foster leadership qualities and a broad worldview. It also promotes cultural exchange and volunteer activities by youth as private diplomats.
Along with the Nationwide Student Korean Heritage Foreign Language Speaking Contest, this initiative became the driving force that led Korean youth to voluntarily begin their activities as Youth Cultural Heritage Guides for the first time in Korea in 2009.
This contest goes beyond a simple competition, demonstrating that, in an interconnected world, the ability to clearly express one’s cultural identity in various languages is more important than ever. For further details, please visit the International Exchange and Cultural Promotion Institute (www.icworld.or.kr) or Marie Story (www.mariestory.co.kr) websites.
Both Korean students living abroad and international students studying in Korea are eligible to participate in this contest.
Key Information for the 17th Nationwide Student Korean Heritage Foreign Language Speaking Contest 2025
• Contest Name: 17th Nationwide Student Korean Heritage Foreign Language Speaking Contest 2025
• Hosted/Organized by: International Exchange and Cultural Promotion Institute, Education Union Newspaper, Smart Education Foundation EDU TV
• Supported by: Korea Heritage Service, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, Gyeonggi Provincial Office of Education, Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, Korea Youth Organizations Council, Religious Leaders’ Solidarity, Seoul Out-of-School Youth Support Center, National Assembly Member Baek Seung-ah, National Assembly Member Kang Kyung-sook
• Purpose: To cultivate the cultural competence and global communication skills of future leaders
• Application Period: September 1, 2025 – September 26, 2025
• Eligibility: Elementary school students to university students
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