Content Analysis of the Career Linkage Education in 2022 Revised Elementary School Curriculum

This study analyzes the content of career linkage education in the 2022 revised elementary school curriculum and draws implications for its improvement and implementation. To this end, a literature analysis was conducted on the revised curriculum overview, subject-specific curriculums, and the creative experiential activity curriculum documents, focusing on the elementary school level. The key findings are as follows: First, regarding career education, the definition of career linkage education in the 2022 revised curriculum summary requires revision to more clearly reflect career education. There is a need to place a greater emphasis on strengthening career education and fostering connections across school levels. Second, except for a few elementary school subjects, the majority lack sufficient reflection on career linkage education content. The science curriculum includes a separate section (unit) titled ‘Science and My Career’ while the Korean language curriculum includes specific career-linked education methods guided by consideration of achievement standards. However, the English, Art, and Music curriculum briefly deals with career linkage education only in the context of teaching and learning without reflecting it as an achievement standard. Mathematics, social studies, and physical education curricula barely reflect career linkage education. Third, reflecting the career linkage education contents in each elementary school subject primarily emphasized strengthening career exploration and career education. Fourth, the content of the career linkage education regarding connections between school levels was specified to be implemented in the autonomous activity section of the creative experiential activities curriculum. These findings highlight the need for a greater emphasis on career education within the concept of career linkage education in future revisions. Moreover, the findings underscore the need for developing effective career linkage education class materials that can be used in schools. Therefore, the study recommends improving career linkage education and follow-up research.