Korean Job Discussion Forums

klyfusprufrock · Joined: 18 May 2007

As a prospective teacher of English in Korea, I wonder how important it is that I learn the Korean language. Also, I would be obliged if anyone could give me some advice on the best way to go about learning it. I assume many people in Korea speak English, but it will probably be beneficial to know as much of the language as possible, right?

Thanks,
Kyle

Crowzone · Joined: 31 Jul 2006

It really really depends.

I would say, at a bare minimum.. Learn to read Korean characters. Its not hard, probably takes a couple hours to get it done, plus practice and you never know when it's going to help you.

Aside from that, what matters is how much you want to mix with Koreans here, how long you think you will stay, how easy/hard it is for you to learn a language, and other factors.

For example, I started here with very little knowledge of Korean. I was planning on staying only for one year so it wasn't very important. However as time went on I read a few books, practiced a few things and now can handle most simple situations. This helps me a lot. I don't see the need, however, for me to take any classes though because I may or may not stay on for another year. If I do, then maybe I'll look to taking it seriously.

pest2 · Joined: 01 Jun 2005 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Agreed. Know how to read it so you can find restaurants, bathrooms, and English translated to Korea. Know a few grammar terms in Korean if you teach in a place where no one speaks English. Know food names so you can order food. Know directions so you can direct taxis.

Otherwise, I'm finding that the more I learn, the more I dont want to know what Koreans are saying.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

Jizzo T. Clown · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Location: at my wit's end

There must be quite a few geniuses on here (or else I'm incredibly daft), because for me, it's taken much, much longer than "a couple of hours" to learn hangeul. Maybe because I'm getting older, but I've had to consistently practice reading everything every day, and I still have trouble remembering the characters.

I studied for a few weeks (not hours) before coming over and I am just now starting to be able to read, although very slowly.

I'd presume that anyone who can learn the Korean alphabet in a matter of hours (or minutes, depending on how pretentious one is) could learn the Japanese alphabet in the same amount of time, although I found hiragana/katana much easier to learn (which may be why Korean is so tough, because the script is so similar = confusing)...

Miles Rationis · Joined: 08 May 2007 Location: Just Say No To Korea!

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

It's not as easy as everyone says, especially if you are older. The good news though is that there are all kinds of free on-line lessons available.

Just do a google search "learn Korean" and you will find a lot of different sites. There are some good and some not so good, but you should be able to find something that works for you.

There are some hangul tutors on line, but I forget the sites just now.

Radio Korea International has a site that may be helpful to you.

http://korean.sogang.ac.kr is another...but this one gets pretty difficult, pretty fast.

Youtube has 180 lessons "let's speak Korean" which are sometimes helpful... sometimes not.
I don't like the format of these, but the good thing is that they get away from the formal textbook Korean and will teach you some very useful words and phrases. Things that Koreans actually say rather than the formal crap.

Mark7 · Joined: 22 May 2006

Fortunately, I learned Korean for a year at University before coming here.

The rest of the people are right. Even after taking one year of it, it is a very tough language. But, knowing the alphabet and saying some things at stores, restaurants, and especially at school definitely gives you an advantage over other teachers who live here. You never know, you might want to stay longer, or meet a special lady/guy friend who is Korean.

In some cities of Korea, Koreans know English, but hardly use it, so the onus is on you to try and learn the language. Plus, Koreans love it when a foreigner is trying to know their language.

venus · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Near Seoul

Colorado · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 6:21 pm Post subject:

Learn as much as you can. The more you know the better off you'll be and the more enjoyable will be your time spent here.
Learn the alphabet and basic phrases at the bare minimum. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to studying, but it's hard to live here for a year and not make some Korean friends and pick up some basic phrases.

Treefarmer · Joined: 29 May 2007

i don't speak any korean and i've been here for 2 years Embarassed

like anything it would be better if you did learn it, cos it's another string to your bow, but you can get by with no language at all even in the countryside

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

If you're a total begginer...check these out:

http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/learn%2Bkorean/video/xvt4r_6-of-60-lets-speak-korean

I just found these, they used to be on youtube as well but got removed.

good luck

Fresh Prince · Joined: 05 Dec 2006 Location: The glorious nation of Korea

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

The hangul alphabet is easier than the transliteration systems.

I have teachers write their names in hangul for me to memorize.

I'm not as far along in learning Korean as I would like to be.

shantaram · Joined: 10 Apr 2007

I don't know if it will help, but I will tell you my experience. I came here having barely even seen the Korean language. I had a language book but couldn't make head nor tail of it. Walking around and trying to decipher signs on buildings and in menus, I managed to figure out Hangeul (someone took me through the basics then I just tried to read as much as possible). I think the key to learning Hangeul is to read everything your eyes come across. So go out and read the signs on the street. Learning to speak is much more difficult. I entered a class after being here for a few weeks and made no progress at all for about nine months. I was frustrated with being there and quite resentful actually, but determined enough to stick with it. The problem I think is that I still had little experience of hearing the language spoken, so what I was being taught had no sticking power. After being here for about nine months I started to work earnestly on the text-book which accompanies the class and I have made Korean friends who help me with my homework. That really helps. I can say a scattering of words- but much less than I expect from my students who study English for the same amount of time. Still, I think learning language is a collection of experiences, not just studying a book or attending a class. You have to get involved with the culture, and you have to give yourself time to get amongst it.

Oh and furthermore in my class we are being taught an honorific structure which is not often used among my friends and colleagues. So that might have contributed to my WTF factor. I have to get my friends to translate it into useable language. However I still learn structures, nouns, verbs etc.