ABSTRACT
Korean students rank top in the international comparisons of students' performance in reading, maths and science. This chapter begins with a description of the key characteristics of the Korean language and writing, followed by a description of early literacy provision, policy and practice. Only the literacy education and policy of South Korea is reviewed in the chapter. Both Koreas use the same language and script 'Hangul' although their usage has been changed since they were separated after the Korean War. The chapter only reviews the literacy education and policy of South Korea. Effective teaching methods of Korean literacy should be studied in depth. Special education programmes are provided for children with special needs from the age of three to promote appropriate education opportunities and high-quality education services from an early age in Korea. Early Hangul education in kindergartens and private education favour whole-word and phonics methods that were imported from Western societies.
