Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

If you are like me, you have been here several years and still suck at speaking Korean.

My excuses:

I haven't studied much.

I get embarrassed easily.

I don't like being misunderstood, though that happens enough anyway.

I dislike being laughed at or ignored for attempting to use their language, even when I know the Korean(s) involved know even less English!

I now don't live near anywhere that offers Korean language classes. I'm lazy.

I don't really care (that pretty much sums it all up I guess).

I don't have a lot of respect for the language or the people.

Still sometimes I wish I could haul off some kick-ass Korean!

Actually, strange as it may sound, 3 or 4 years ago I would sometimes have conversations with Koreans in broken language, mainly when I was drunk. People were impressed I could manage a bit of communication. But I rarely even bother anymore. Guess I gave up a good while ago.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I studied quite a bit the first year I was here. After that I let it slide too much.

Possible reasons:

Laziness.

I didn't really expect to stay here for another contract.

I don't hang around with Koreans much and those I do speak English.

I'm satisfied that my Korean level gets me by day to day.

Toby · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Wedded Bliss

I am studying now, but not improving.

However. When I am drunk, I can sustain a 20 minute conversation without thinking about it. Dutch courage and all that.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

My korean is low-intermediate but when i am drunk I seem to be a damn good speaker.

Why is it when you are half-intoxicated(not completely plastered) it is much easier to speak a foreign language????

ryleeys · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Columbia, MD

I'm ashamed that after 6 months here, I'm still learning the most basic of grammar. The only functional Korean I know so far are courtesies and classroom commands. I study every day for about an hour, but the only way for me to learn something is to write it over... and over... and over... and over. I literally write a phrase at least 200 times before I remember it. Vocabulary is a little better; a single word I can get by with about 100 times and then I'll remember.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

Some words I will remember after learning 1 time, some it takes me 20 times....

I'm a writer as well but the more you learn the more the words start to sound similar and they click a lot more easily.

Eazy_E · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Location: British Columbia, Canada

I would say I'm a high-level beginner. I have a good grasp of basic grammar and I'm able to carry on a simple conversation. The kids' parents really like it and I'm able to survive quite well with what I know.

One thing that helps is studying through several different resources: for example, the Ganada books, Sogang online courses, and Korean friends. If you overlap your studies in this way, it seems to stick in your mind much better than it would with just rote memorization, though unfortunately it seems the latter is still necessary especially in the early going.

I'm happy with what I've learned in less than a year, but my will to study seems to be stalling as I get closer to the end of my contract. If I come back for another year I'll definitely make a better go of it.

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

gomurr · Joined: 04 Feb 2003

I'm in the same boat. Been here 7 years and still suck at it.

My reasons for learning was to pick up girls.

My Reason for quiting was I got fed up with Korean women and the women I did marry is a Filipina

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Kristsoy · Joined: 23 Mar 2004

korean is useless outside of the country, even inside since people like taxi drivers dont understand/listen to what we are saying anyways

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Kristsoy · Joined: 23 Mar 2004

there's no beauty here man

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

adventureman · Joined: 18 Feb 2003

I went to the movies on Sunday. When I went to buy my tickets, the girl in the booth saw me coming from a distance. Before I was even FINISHED walking up to ticket booth, instead of even giving me a millisecond to try to say something to her in Korean (which I have been attempting to learn lately and was eager to practice), she immediately grabbed her co-worker, who spoke more fluently in English and refused to business with me in Korean. This is not the first time I have subject to this kind of prejudice behavior.

Racisim. Another reason to be turned off to learning this country's language.