Korean Job Discussion Forums

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

I'm looking for some encouraging stories regarding reaching a conversational level in Korean, beyond the weather, shopping, family, and basic cultural differences.
How long did you study daily in order to reach this level?
How often do you talk with Koreans in Korean?
Did you take a formal course? I've taken a couple but have yet to reach intermediate level- due to my distraction from study and frustration at daily conversation in Korean. I'm looking to set down some guidelines for myself- perhaps being more choosy about who I spend my free time with- not spending as much time with English speaking Korean friends.

I'm especially interested in any stories of self-study. While I enjoy the company in classes, they often move too quickly for me to absorb information- I have little time for the homework and every day introduces a new grammar point.

Lets hear some success stories!

Wisconsinite · Joined: 05 Jan 2007

Conversation beyond the basics....2-4 years. That is the estimate by most second language research.

That being said, I think you could do it faster since you live in an immersion environment. It would depend on your motivation, how much of it you had. You could probably learn just as quickly as you wanted to.

I think reading is the key. Once you have accomplished that, study on your own. Also, find people who are willing to speak Korean ahd help you along. Most Koreans will want to speak English but you will find some that will want to speak Korean with you. Hang out with them. My friend learned Korean right quick when she had a Korean boyfriend who spoke no English and didn't care to.

Good luck.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Most professionals agree that the best way to learn a foreign language is naked and horizontal.

In all seriousness, though, I agree with the previous poster. Even with a degree in Korean, it takes a year or two to get conversational in-country. I'd say 4-8 years to get comfortable enough to engage in converstations where you don't control the topic, and where you can discuss whatever you want with at least some degree of success.

I sincerely believe that a formal (learned in the classroom) grammar background is key. If you live in Korea, you can then get out there and use it.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

Maybe for a Japanse person studying hours every day. Even then, they wouldn't be fully conversant.

The quickest I've seen a weseterner pick up the language to any degree of conversational ability was roughly 2.5 years. Even then, they could only readily participate in converstations they were steering (and so could therefore rely on the vocab and expressions they were comfortable with). They hit a wall VERY quickly when real conversation came about.

Matty · Joined: 13 Jun 2008

Well, don't give up on the English speaking Korean friends, it's a great opportunity. Tell them you want to only speak Korean, they may encourage you and help you, but if they keep trying to speak English without trying Korean, it might be a sign they only want you for your English.

Works in China,

Hi my name is <Chinese Name Here>, Australia is a beautiful country,
Let's be friends...
Sure, but I don't speak English in China only Chinese (In Chinese)
Many I never hear from again, those who keep talking with me and not trying English end up being my very good friends. It helps at times to recognise others motives, as well that after a while I will let them speak English with me, but once I know they're not just after my English.
Also friends can be a great asset when they try and encourage you to learn.

billybrobby · Joined: 09 Dec 2004

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject:

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

I went through the DLI program and was at least functional when I graduated with a 2/2/2 rating. Still, it wasn't easy to do anything outside of a limited skill set.

It takes time. There is no getting around the grammar, and from there, it's all about building situational vocab and using the language. After that, you can tweak your speech to local varieties, work on doing better on the phone, and learn slang and the like. 'Fluent' is a very subjective term.

jessie-b · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

I'll agree that fluent is subjective. My friend has been here less time than me but picked up the slang words really quickly. I grabbed onto certain verb forms like have to do/must do more easily. I guess it all depends where your focus is. I'm definitly going to start hanging out with Korean only speaking friends. One of my coteachers refuses to even speak English in the hallway which is an interesting idea as well. We work at a college so we're not actually obligated to every single student.

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

postfundie · Joined: 28 May 2004

i4NI · Joined: 17 May 2008 Location: Seoul

Self study is not the best way to go. Also there are free classes near city hall once a week for whatever level you are placed in. That's surely enough time to get some classroom time in and it's not like you get a grade.

The most important thing, speak! You will never get good at a language if you refuse to speak it. It's like playing basketball but refusing to shoot. Of course you aren't going to be perfect, but don't be so self conscious.