ABSTRACT
Neologism has become one of the most popular trends in current media, becoming an important component of communicative skills for Korean as a Foreign Language (KFL) students. This article constructs a set of inquiry-based assignments in an advanced content-and-language course at a private university in the Northeastern region of the United States. Neologism in KFL classrooms can serve two purposes: (a) expand vocabulary repertoire and (b) gain deeper understanding of cultural and social issues. Two examples based on the words 소확행 (‘small but guaranteed happiness’) and 헬조선 (‘hell Korea’) are presented in this article to provide examples of how neologisms can be used as a channel for diverse and enriching discussions and assignments in KFL classrooms. This article supports the use of teaching neologisms in KFL classrooms and further encourages instructors to incorporate social, cultural, and political aspects into their curriculum.
