Korean Job Discussion Forums

[SuperFly]

OK, so I'm in level 1 KLI program at Yonsei.

I work full time and attend one of the night classes. I have 100% attendance, good attitude, I've turned in all of my homework religiously. The problem I have and what I'd like to know about the grading system there, is that I really don't know the grammar very well. I could barely read a sentence when I started the class, but reading is now my strongest point. Listening will be my weakest point.

The Final exam is this coming Monday and Tuesday. It is divided into 4 parts, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

I admit that I haven't studied as much as I should have this semester, I work about 12 hours a day, and studying at work is kind of a no-no, although I have been allowed to study for the past couple of days and they gave me this coming Monday off to study.

Anyway, for those of you that have taken the level 1 beginner class...is the final exam hard? Does 100% attendance and having turned in all of your homework on time and never being late to class count towards your grade? My teacher doesn't ever speak English to us, so even though we've asked these questions, she only responds in rapid fire Korean. All I want is a C in the class, I just don't want to fail. Can anyone offer any sage advice, or even perhaps tell me about how they grade at KLI?

One more item: I've been told that my teacher is the hardest of the beginner Korean teachers.

[kalkamagi]

ok.
first of all, don't sweat too much because they're in the business of passing students. (disheartened ones are less likely to come back for level 2) they hardly ever keep students back. (only at level 5, because they don't like to fail people right before graduation) i only saw one (really, really horrible) guy be held back in the early levels.

i didn't take level one, but based on my experience from 2-6, the final is really fair and is representative of the material.

they grade on a scale:
90-100 A
80-89 B, etc.
So the average you get on the exams is pretty much what your final grade is. Attendance & homework don't really matter, but it may get you a sympathy vote if you're on the boarder between grades.

by the way, it's pretty impressive to work so much and still do the classes. i did the morning program, but only worked for 6 hours in the evening. it was very exhausting.

[SuperFly]

Thanks brother.

[kalkamagi]

ahem, sister

[SuperFly]

[Ginormousaurus]

I took the morning "A" coourse and got 100% on three of the four tests (I don't think it's possible to ace the speaking test). 4 other people in my class also aced three of them. Granted, I wasn't working long hours like you and I had already done a semester at Ehwa at that point.

Just passing should be easy enough I think. Also, I'm sure if you make your teacher aware that you're planning on taking the next level, but only if you pass, I could see them "helping" you out a little.

I'm just curious, what is your teacher's name? I ended up leaving Yonsei after level two largely due to the horrible teacher I had. She seemed oblivious to the fact that we were all still beginners and needed her to speak slower and not to laugh at students mistakes! I forget her name, but I'm sure if I heard it I'd remember.

Anyways, good luck to you superfly! I couldn't imagine working 12 hours a day and still finding the time to attend class.

[SuperFly]

[koala5]

It is a little bit confusing for me what students of learning the Korean language expect from the class. When learning a langauge we need as much natural Korean language as we can from the teacher to be exposed to what it is like to speak Korean. This is the same process Korean people go through to learn English. We just expect them to understand even if we are going at 100 kilometres an hour. We don't use any Korean language when we are explaining to them in English, so why should the Korean teacher explain things in English for us?

I always get my Korean teachers to even explain things in Korean as much as I can in that class. This is when I have seen the big improvement in my Korean level when I learn the language, when I think in their language and ask questions in the language. I guess each student is different in the way they learn. I try and expose myself to as much Korean as I can and then input my thoughts on the matter on as much Korean as I know.

If anyone has a better way of learning Korean please tell me.
Now studying Korean it makes it a lot easier to help Koreans with their English ability.
good luck to you all

[SuperFly]

[hubba bubba]

I haven't taken that specific course. However, I've some some others, and I REALLY think teaching beginning learners exclusively in the language being taught is a terrible idea. It's asinine.

If I have little to no vocab, reading or listening skills, how the HELL am I going to learn anything when everything is explained in AK47 style Korean? Well, you don't learn, you just get frustrated, and quit.

I mean, seriously, that's just the stupidest idea ever.

[SuperFly]

[billybrobby]

Why do you care what you get on the test? Do you need good grades for something?

[SuperFly]

I paid 750,000 Won for the class. (That's what...800 bucks?) I can't advance to the next level unless I make a C, so yeah...it would be nice to be awarded a certificate and be able to move to level 2. That plus my company won't reimburse me the money unless I get a C or better

[kalkamagi]

about the "korean emersion", i've had it both ways-

in high school, i took beginning korean and the teacher conducted the class in english. i think i learned 고양이 and 탈. seriously, that's it. there was no incentive for any learning.

in college, i came to korea and did the kli summer program- no english whatsoever. it was hard and the entire class had to work together to understand what the teachers said. i sincerely believe this is more effective- it really makes you frustrated, but it also drives you to learn.

hope the test went well, superfly.
(the listening test is not that bad- they repeat it twice, sometimes more, if you ask nicely...)

[SuperFly]

I failed the writing test, passed all the others. I can re-take the writing test on the 25th, but I'm so burned out at this point, I just want to lie down and die.

Edit: I got a C and will be reimbursed the 750K won I shelled out! Yehaw!