Hyang Lee

Hyang Lee

Hyang Lee

Associate Professor

Language assessment, Task-based language teaching, Teaching pronunciation

Dr. Hyang Lee holds a Ph.D. in Korean Linguistics and a M.Ed. in Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language from Ewha Womans University. Prof. Lee has been teaching all levels of Korean courses since the opening of George Mason University Korea in 2014. Prof. Lee’s research interests include language testing and assessment as well as general applied linguistics. She is particularly interested in second language pronunciation and discourse assessment. Prof. Lee is also working on developing a nationally recognized Korean proficiency test and she is participating in various research projects related to Korean language education and culture. Prof. Lee was the recipient of the ‘Excellent Professor in Teaching Award’ at the University of Seoul from 2011 to 2013.

Selected Publications

[Peer Reviewed]

Hae Yong, L. & Hyang, L. (2024). Refusal Speech Act in Korean and English: Focusing on the variable of social status. Journal of Korean Language Education 35-4, pp. 97-122.

Hyang, L. (2021). Developing a Scoring Rubric for Assessing Discourse Competence through a Performance Decision Tree Approach.  Journal of the International Network for Korean Language and Culture 18-1. pp. 185-216. 

Hyang, L. (2017). An Empirical Study to Rethink the Goals and Components of Teaching Korean Language Pronunciation. Journal of Korean Language Education 28-3, pp. 105-126.

Expanded Publication List

[Peer Reviewed]

Jeong-ah, P., Eunkyeong, P., Hyesun, K., Hyang, L. (2025) Effects of a Mobile Application for Korean Reading Instruction on Affective Factors: A Case Study of TTMIK Stories. Journal of Korean Language Education 36-3, pp. 97-122.

Eunho, K.,Yunjin,L., Hyang,L.,  Hyojeong,L.,  Songhwa H. & Kyoungsook, O. (2023) Directions of Development of Proficiency Assessment of Korean Language for Specific Purposes -Based on Expert In-Depth Interviews, Korean Language and Literature in International Context 98, pp. 461-484.

Jeong ah, P. & Hyang, L. (2021). A Study on the AI Chatbot Builder Utilization for Korean Language Education, Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language 63, pp. 51-91.

Hyang, L., & Hae Yong, L. (2020). Features Dependent on the Learners’ Discourse Competence: Development of a rating scale description in a speaking test. Korean Language Education 169, pp. 321-360. 

Young, Y., Eun-ji, C., Mira, C., Hyang, L.,&Yun-jin, L. (2020). A Study on Development of Korean Language Textbook for Marriage Immigrants before Entry to Korea. Language Facts and Perspectives, pp. 171-200.   

Yu Mi, K., Seon-ung, Y., & Hyang, L. (2019). Study on the Development of Korean Textbooks for Multi-cultural Families. Urimal 57, pp. 153-186.

Hyang, L., Miji, J., & Hae Yong, L. (2019). A Study on the Features of Discourse Depending on the Discourse Competence in REQUEST Task - A preliminary study for grading scale development in a data-driven approach. Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language 52, pp. 253-288

Hae Yong, L., & Hyang, L. (2018). A Basic Study on the Development of a Grading Scale of Discourse Competence in Korean Speaking Assessment: Focusing on the Scale of ‘REFUSAL’ Task. Journal of Korean Language Education 29-3, pp. 255-292.

Hyang, L. (2018). A Study on Non-Native Pre-Service Teachers’ Scoring Pattern in Korean Speaking Test. Studies in Linguistics 48, pp. 321-340.

Hyang, L., Seon-ung, Y., & Yu Mi, K. (2018). Analysis of the Needs and Status of Korean Textbook Usage for Multicultural Family. Korean Language & Literary Research 46-2, pp. 359-382.

Hyang, L., & Hye Rim K. (2017). A Study on the Language Attitudes of Korean Language Learners Toward Pronunciation. The Language and Culture 13-3, pp. 221-237.

Hyang L. (2017). A Study on Pronunciation Assessment (Research Book Series), Ewha Womans University Multicultural Center, Jisikkwa Kyoyang Press: Seoul, Korea.

Hyang, L. (2016). Analysis of Examinee Attitudes Toward Computer-Based Speaking Assessment – Analysis of Face Validity through Comparing with Face-to-Face Oral Interview Assessment-. Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language 45, pp. 305-330.

Hyang, L. (2016). A Comprehensive Study on the Language Attitudes of Native Korean Speakers toward Foreign Accented Non-native Korean Speakers. Journal of the International Network for Korean Language and Culture 13-3, pp. 199-229.

Hae Yong L., & Hyang, L. (2015). A Basic Study on the Development of Grading Scale Description in Korean Speaking Assessment-Focusing on the Functional Phase of Speech Sample Analysis Using Discourse Analysis. The Journal of Studies in Language 31-2, pp. 451-478.

Hyang, L. (2014). An Investigation of the differences between Novice teachers, Experienced Teachers, and Non-Teacher Native Speakers in Evaluation of Korean Language Learners’ Speech. Journal of Korean Language Education 25-4, pp. 163-188.

Hyang, L. (2013). Raters' Rating Patterns on a Pronunciation Criteria in Speaking Assessment -Focusing on Rater’s Experience and Major-. Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language, 39, pp. 213-245.

Hyang, L. (2013). Investigating the Relationship Among Accuracy, Fluency, Intelligibility, and Comprehensibility Criterion in Pronunciation Assessment. The Language and Culture 9-3, pp. 221-243.

Hyang, L. (2012). A Study on the Optimal Conditions in the Rating of Pronunciation Scale for Speaking Performance Assessment - Using Generalizability Theory-. Journal of Korean Language Education 23-2, pp. 301-329.

Hyang, L. (2012). A Study on the Scoring Reliability in Pronunciation Scale for Speaking Performance Assessment-Using Many-facet Rasch Model-, Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language 37, pp. 325-355.

Hyang, L. (2002). Study on the Development of the Teaching Korean Pronunciation Textbook for Chinese learners. Journal of Teaching Korean Language 1, pp. 97-119. China. 

[ Books ]

King Sejong Institute (2020) Korean Language for Married Immigrants 1 Link / 2  Link, Hawoo: Seoul. (Co-Author) 

National Institute of Korean Language. (2019) Joyful Korean 1 Link / 2 Link  / 3 Link / 4 Link, Hawoo: Seoul, Korea. (Co-Author) 

National Institute of Korean Language (2019) Accurate Korean 1 Link /2 Link / 3 Link / 4 Link, Hawoo: Seoul, Korea. (Co-Author) 

National Institute of Korean Language (2019) Teacher’s Guidebook 1 Link / 2 Link / 3 Link / 4 Link (Korean textbook for multi-cultural family), Hawoo: Seoul, Korea. (Co-Author)

Hyang L.(2017).A Study on Pronunciation Assessment (Research Book Series), Ewha Womans University Multicultural Center, Jisikkwa kyoyang Press: Seoul, Korea.

Hyang L. (2009) Korean Grammar Activities, Language Plus: Seoul, Korea. ISBN-13 9788955188202 / ISBN-10 895518820X (Co-Author)

Hyang L. (2008) Basic Korean for the Married Immigrant Women (Teacher’s Guidebook), Ministry of Gender Equality & Family.

Hyang L. (2004) Korean Vocabularies for Chinese learner, Ewha Womans University Press: Seoul, Korea. ISBN: 6108973005696 

Jing Zhe S. & Hyang L. (2004) the First Step for Learning Chinese Language, Crejio Communications Press: Seoul, Korea. ISBN: 9788990876027| 

 

Grants and Fellowships

[ Recent Grants]

2025 A Study on AI-Based Automated Item Generation for the Sejong Korean Assessment (SKA), King Sejong Institute Foundation. (Project Grant: Co-I)

2025 Sejong Korean Assessment (SKA) Test Item Development, King Sejong Institute Foundation. (Project Grant: Co-I, Test Assembler)

2025 Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Instruction of Korean Speaking Class, MK Independent Research, George Mason University Korea, IUCF. (Research Fund: PI)

2024 Developing items and tasks for the Sejong Korean Language Assessment (SKA), King Sejong Institute Foundation. (Project Grant: Co-I)

Courses Taught

KORE 110 Elementary Korean             
KORE 201 Intermediate Korean I
KORE 202 Intermediate Korean II       
KORE 301 Advanced Korean Language and Culture
KORE 305 Business Korean                 
KORE 321 Korean Proficiency through Visual Culture
KORE 332 Special Topics in Advanced Korean Speaking   
KORE 410 Korean Linguistics               
KORE 490 Internship in Korean Studies

Education

Ph.D.  in Korean Linguistics, Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea)
M.Ed. in Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language, Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea)
B.A. in Korean Language and Literature, Ewha Womans University (Seoul, Korea)

Recent Presentations

Hyang, L. (2025) Design and Application of AI-Enhanced Korean Speaking Instruction, Paper presented at the 2025 International Conference of the International Network for Korean Language and Culture, June 14, 2025, Vietnam.

Hyang, L. (2024) Current Status and Challenges of Korean Language Proficiency Assessment. Paper presented at the 19th Korean Education Forum of the Society of Korean Language Education, Online, December 13, 2024.

Hyang, L. (2023) Developing Expertise in Korean Language Assessment, Paper presented at the 2023 KF workshop for Korean Language Educators in Southeast Asia, National Defense Language Institute, Indonesia, October 10~11, 2023.