Focusing on TOPIK speaking error analysis for marriage immigrants and improvement of Korean speaking teaching and learning plan-thematic analysis-

This study collected learner's speech data and qualitative analysis of language errors based on the TOPIK speaking simulation evaluation question introduced in 2022 to explore practical educational measures to improve marriage immigrants' Korean speaking ability. In particular, by applying Thematic Analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, repetitive problems revealed in the use of marriage immigrants' language were systematically classified and interpreted. In Korean society, marriage immigrants' ability to speak Korean plays an essential function in various areas such as daily life, children's education, social relationship formation, and employment opportunities. It is also closely related to the formation of self-identity and self-esteem and becomes an important basis for living an independent life. In this study, six marriage immigrants from high-level Korean living in Jeonbuk participated, and responses to TOPIK speaking questions were recorded and transcribed and used as analysis data. As a result of the analysis, errors common in learners' speech could be largely summarized as inaccurate pronunciation, limited use of vocabulary, grammatical instability, and insufficient presentation of opinions. This was acting as a practical limiting factor in communication situations beyond a simple lack of language ability. Based on these error patterns, the STEP speaking education model was proposed as an educational strategy to improve learners' speech ability. Each step encourages learners at the intermediate level or lower to naturally learn expressions and strategies that can be used in everyday speaking situations. In particular, this model is designed to be easy to apply and operate to educators when designing speaking classes in multicultural centers or community-based institutions. This study is significant in that it raises the need for the design of middle and high-level speaking education for marriage immigrants and suggests a speaking guidance strategy that can substantially contribute to the Korean language education field.