[AATK Members' New Book Publication] Ultimate Guide to the Korean Proficiency Tests (Darakwon, 2026)

Author: Hye Young Shin, Eunhae Ro, SooYoung Yang, Michelle Jang

Book page :  200 pages

Supplement : Free MP3 Download

Price: USD 35.00

Publisher: Darakwon (다락원)

(About This book)

With the K‑Pop craze led by BTS and Blackpink, along with the proliferation of OTT programs such as “K‑Pop Demon Hunters” and the “Squid Game” series, interest in Korea and the Korean language has been exploding among middle and high school students in the United States. Over the past decade, the number of Korean language learners has grown rapidly, particularly in the United States, where Korean s increasingly being offered in middle and high schools as part of the regular curriculum. Along with this growth, assessments based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Proficiency Guidelines, most notably the State Seal of Biliteracy, have gained prominence. It is expected that as proficiency‑based assessments gain recognition in global and government‑related fields, the number of Korean proficiency test takers will continue to increase.

“Ultimate Guide to the Korean Proficiency Tests” offers task‑based, performance‑oriented practice to help learners understand their current proficiency, identify areas for growth, and develop effective strategies for improvement. It contains practice tasks in the four language areas—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—at levels ranging from Novice Mid to Advanced Low. These tasks are based on real‑life materials, making this guide an effective resource for learners who want not only to prepare for Korean proficiency tests but also to improve their communication skills. Moreover, it also serves as a practical teaching resource for instructors who want to provide students with level‑appropriate practice in all four language skills.

Your Ultimate Roadmap to the State and Global Seal of Biliteracy in Korean

All-in-One Integration: A comprehensive prep book for ACTFL aligned assessments, bringing together major Korean proficiency tests—AAPPL, STAMP 4S, NEWL, RPT, LPT, WPT, and OPI/OPIc—into one streamlined resource.

Targeted Assessment: Test questions are carefully designed to assess proficiency from Novice Mid to Advanced Low, helping students demonstrate progress toward Intermediate High.

Comprehensive Practice: Provides balanced practice across listening, reading, writing, and speaking using authentic texts and practical scenarios to develop readiness for real-world communication.

Proficiency-Targeted Preparation: Helps students reach the Korean proficiency levels required for the State Seal of Biliteracy and the Global Seal of Biliteracy, building confidence for official recognition.

Exam-Ready Confidence: Includes authentic practice formats that reflect real testing environments, helping students feel prepared and confident on the exam.

BTS, Blackpink를 필두로 한 K-Pop 열풍과 “K-Pop Demon Hunters”, “오징어 게임” 시리즈 등 다양한 OTT 프로그램의 확산으로 미국 내 중고등학생들 사이에서 한국과 한국어에 대한 관심은 가히 폭발적이다. 더불어 지난 10년간 한국어 학습자 수의 증가로 중고등학교에서 한국어가 정규 교육 과정의 일부로 점점 확대되고 있다. 이러한 성장과 함께 ACTFL 숙련도 가이드라인, 특히 주정부 이중언어인증(State Seal of Biliteracy)에 기반한 평가에서도 한국어 능력 인증 자격증을 취득하고자 하는 수요가 늘고 있는 추세다. 한국어 능력 인증 자격증은 미국 내 국제 기관이나 정부 관련 분야에서 점점 더 인정받고 있어 그 수요가 더 증가할 것으로 보인다.

“Ultimate Guide to the Korean Proficiency Tests”는 한국어 능력 인증 시험을 준비하는 학습자가 본인 레벨을 파악하고 효과적인 향상 전략을 개발할 수 있도록 한 과제 중심 수행형 시험 대비서이다. 듣기, 말하기, 읽기, 쓰기 전 영역의 과제를 Novice Mid부터 Advanced Low의 과제로 제공하고 있으며, 실제적인 자료를 기반으로 하고 있으므로, 시험 대비와 동시에 실생활에 필요한 의사소통 능력을 향상시키고자 하는 학습자들에게 유용한 학습서이다. 또한 듣기, 말하기, 읽기, 쓰기의 전 영역의 문제를 학습자의 레벨에 맞게 제공하고자 하는 교수자에게도 실용적인 학습 자료로 활용될 것이다.