Korean Job Discussion Forums

[earthbound14]

I teach at a university and we are looking for new books. We want something that is targeted toward Korean students and covers basic conversation. We have tried reading text books but found our students didn't have the skill to really use it, so we're downgrading to conversation texts.

My personal choice for good texts in this area are the New Interchange and Touchstone series from Oxford Press. I think New Interchange is great because it covers all the bases effectively without anything really stupid or silly (some text books can be pretty dumb). It's the kind of book you can rely on when you are busy teaching advanced classes or on a tight schedule. It needs very little review or prep, you can walk right into class and teach without worry that an exercise will be stupid or doesn't match with the level of the text book. The only problem I have with it is that it is too common (in too many hogwans) and most of my students know it already. Also it doesn't address issues specific to Korea, subject material or common grammatical mistakes. Also the grammar sections and vocabulary sections are not as effective because they lack Korean explanations. I would love to find books that teach things like the difference between "I'm in second grade university." and "I'm a second year student." or "I'm a sophomore." Korean translations for grammar would also be really helpful. The Interchange series also lacks proverbs and idioms, which would be nice.

I've studied Korean with the Sogang text books and I think they are fantastic. They have little cultural vignettes designed just for English speakers learning Korean which are very interesting and Korean grammar and vocabulary is explained in English...which makes studying quicker and more enjoyable. I would love to find their English text books. Anyone know anything about them? Or any other text that you think is really fantastic (and why is it so great?).