Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lostandforgotten]

xxx

[Join Me]

You think? I can speak enough to communicate but I am jealous when I meet a foreigner that can speak fluently. Not ashamed to admit that and I am also not afraid to say "good job" to those who have put the effort into learning Korean...it ain't easy.

[lostandforgotten]

I also noticed that non-Korean speaking foreigners never make the effort to learn or speak Korean because they want to be above Korean-speaking foreigners. They're afraid to show interest in Korean because it puts them in a weak position. It's like a power game between the 2 groups. Has anyone observed this too? I thought this whole power game was between Korean males and foreign men but it obviously exists between Korean-speaking foreigners and non-Korean speaking foreigners too. LOL

[ttompatz]

Living as an expat it is always to your advantage to know the local language (where ever you are).

NOT knowing how to communicate in an effective manner with those around you does create problems and a minor case of paranoia. (you never know if they are laughing at you, with you or about something entirely different that has NOTHING to do with you).

.

[Bibbitybop]

This thread is already hilarious. Just wait until page 5.

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Im always impressed by folk who can hold a decent conversation in Korean. I think if you're living here for more than two years you really have to put in the effort to learn, you're making life difficult for yourself if you dont.

I was resigned pretty early on to the fact that I was only going to be here for the year so All I can do is read the alphabet a bit and throw a few stock phrases together. I suppouse I could've made more of an effort but figured it wasn't worth it

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[M-su]

I speak awesome Korean, my foreign friends also speak really awesome Korean. I get more chix than them combined, but they are doing alright.

Anyway, life in Korea is a whole lot better now that my Korean is rocking.
My pronunciation is clear and native-like.

I know tons of Korean languge centers, volunteers, K teachers, excellent web sites, study groups, free classes, etc. I know it all.

[Whirlwind]

Dude, I had a good laugh over this one. I'll take my limited Korean over fluency, thank you very much. Seriously, I might be envious if it was a useful langauge like Spanish or something, but Korean will never be a useful language outside of Korea. Plus, do you really want to hear all the trash talk that Koreans do in front of your face? You do know that they openly say things right in front of you...and knowing Korean would only cause you more irritation. In this case, ignorance is truly bliss. Besides, Korean is an awful sounding language.

[Hanson]

[crusher_of_heads]

[crusher_of_heads]

[Yangachi]

[jkelly80]

If I was staying another year I'd be up to my eyeballs in Korean language learning, as it certainly would help with yeo-ja. I doff my hats to you all who can swing it, but the time commitment for me is way too much. I can do past present future and the major modals, after that I've quit.

For the time I've been here (8 months) and the amount of formal study I've done (5 weeks) I think my Korean is pretty good, but a decent ratio doesn't mean squat when you're trying to woo a local.

[Ginormousaurus]