Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PeteJB]

Well I started studying about nine months ago, although I did have a good foundation of basic vocabulary and words beforehand, so you could say between one and one and a half years - but I consider the last few months the most significant because it's the only time where I've put my head down and really studied. I guess you could say I'm a bit of a spelling-police type person too. I think my strongest points are definitely spelling, reading and listening - but writing and speaking are quite challenging, even when I understand everything that is going on. I find it quite difficult to study sometimes, when most people I know are only willing to speak English. Ofcourse, those I study with use Korean with me, but they are not native speakers so that is only good for simple chit-chat. I find with the Koreans I know, there are two kinds. The first, is the kind that uses mostly English with me, and the only time they use Korean is to say simple things mixed in with their sentences. I'm not sure how to describe the feeling I get when that happens. It feels a little condescending, like they are holding back from speaking properly because I won't understand. But then, there is the second kind. This is the kind of person that takes it too far, holding nothing back, giving you a headache. Anyway I won't be giving up yet, I like to believe I've come a long way in a short time, even if I always look upon myself as less than adequate.

[Cheonmunka]

'Less than adequate' ... For any of us using and learning Korean that would be yes and no. We may try but are overturned at every corner because of English precedency. As you have said.

It's a long haul, but you have done a lot in a short time.

All the best.