Korean Classroom Culture: Professors, Emails and Group Projects

Lectures, assignments and exams look similar around the world, but every country has its own classroom culture. Here are the everyday habits that help international students feel comfortable at a Korean university.

Addressing professors

Professors are addressed as gyosu-nim (교수님), never by first name. Even in English-taught classes, students usually say “Professor” plus the family name. Teaching assistants are often called jogyo-nim (조교님). Bowing slightly when you greet a professor in the hallway is a small but appreciated gesture.

Writing a polite email

Email is the normal way to contact a professor about absences, deadlines or grades. A clear structure makes a good impression:

1. Subject line with the course name and the topic, for example “[Intro to Economics] Question about the midterm report”.
2. Greeting such as “Dear Professor Kim,” or in Korean 안녕하세요, 교수님.
3. Introduce yourself: your name, student ID number, department and the class (and section, if there are several).
4. State your question or request briefly, and attach any documents (for example a medical note for an absence).
5. Close politely with thanks and your name.

Avoid sending messages late at night if possible, and give professors a few working days to reply before following up.

Attendance and the class portal

Many Korean universities take attendance seriously, and missing too many classes can affect your grade or even lead to failing the course. Check each syllabus for the attendance policy and the rules for excused absences. Most schools use an online learning system (often called an LMS or e-class) for lecture materials, assignment submission, announcements and sometimes electronic attendance, so check it regularly.

Group projects (tim peurojekteu)

Team projects, often shortened to timpeul (팀플) or called jobyeol gwaje (조별과제), are very common. Tips that help:

• Agree on roles and deadlines early and write them down in your group chat.
• Join the group chat (usually KakaoTalk) and respond, even briefly, so teammates know you are involved.
• Offer your strengths. If your Korean is still developing, volunteer for research, slides, English sources or data work.
• Raise problems early, politely, with the team first and the professor if needed.

Office hours, help and academic honesty

Professors usually list office hours or ask students to book a meeting by email. Most universities also have an international student office, writing or tutoring support and buddy programs, which are worth joining in your first semester. Plagiarism rules are strict: cite your sources, do not copy classmates' work, and check your school's policy on using AI tools for assignments.

Handy campus words

• 수강신청 (sugang sincheong) — course registration
• 중간고사 / 기말고사 (junggan gosa / gimal gosa) — midterm / final exam
• 과제 (gwaje) — assignment
• 휴강 / 보강 (hyugang / bogang) — class cancelled / make-up class
• 학과 사무실 (hakgwa samusil) — department office

Every university and professor is a little different, so the syllabus and your department office are always the final word.