Designing flashcards as media for learning Korean Hanja vocabulary

Abstract

Although Sino-Korean (Hanja-based) words make up some of the Korean lexicon and dominate academic and formal registers, many learners of Korean as a foreign language struggle to master them because Hanja is rarely taught systematically and appropriate learning media remain limited. This study aims to develop Hanja flash cards as a learning medium for Korean Hanja vocabulary and evaluate their validity and feasibility. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the research follows the ASSURE instructional design model, encompassing learner analysis, objective formulation, media selection, material utilization, learner engagement, and evaluation. Validation was conducted through expert assessments and user feedback, including questionnaires distributed to 30 intermediate Korean language learners at a public university in Bandung, followed by in-depth interviews with 15 selected participants. Results demonstrated high feasibility, with material experts rating the flash cards at 93.3% ("Very Feasible") and media experts at 81.67% ("Very Feasible"). Student feedback further affirmed the design’s effectiveness, yielding a 92.7% score ("Very Feasible"). The findings indicate that the Hanja flash cards are well-aligned with their learning objectives and can significantly support Hanja vocabulary acquisition. This study contributes to the development of practical tools for enhancing Korean language education, particularly in mastering Hanja.