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Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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 Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:11 pm Post subject: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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One thing I wish I knew was Korean. Sometimes, I get phone calls, and you can't figure out if they're important because they just keep speaking in Korean even after you've told them you're a foreigner. Of course, they finally give up.
One fellow called me today. He woke me up. The only thing I understood was it could have possibly been some district office. If that's the case, then wouldn't it make sense to have someone who speaks English call me since my last certainly isn't Park, Kim, Shin, Han, So etc...?
Also, I am sure some here once they've learned some Korean, it becomes difficult when you can't always put it all together to figure out what's being said. Sometimes, I can figure out what's being said, but quite often I can't. I am sure some veterans who understand bits and pieces wish they knew the language more.
Do you think the Korean Government could do more to encourage foreigners to learn their language like opening free language centers for foreigners? |
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gregoriomills
Joined: 02 Mar 2009
Location: Busan, Korea
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Better than giving free lessons, your school should give you stipend to pay for Korean lessons. That way, the lessons are actually worth a crap (professional teacher). |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| Adventurer wrote: |
Also, I am sure some here once they've learned some Korean, it becomes difficult when you can't always put it all together to figure out what's being said. Sometimes, I can figure out what's being said, but quite often I can't. I am sure some veterans who understand bits and pieces wish they knew the language more.
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Phone conversations were the most difficult for me when I was starting out, and I imagine the same is true to some extent for others. A phone conversation removes all the visual clues that accompany a face to face conversation. It really isolates your listening and speaking skills, thus can be a great tool for improvement, albeit frustrating at times for beginners.
I knew that my Korean was coming together when I had phone conversations and the Korean on the other end was surprised to find out I wasn't Korean.
| Adventurer wrote: |
Do you think the Korean Government could do more to encourage foreigners to learn their language like opening free language centers for foreigners?
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Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:47 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| T-J wrote: |
Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
I think that would be great if they offered free Korean classes to expats.
I think after living in Korea for a year, you should at LEAST be able to order a pizza over the telephone. |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| T-J wrote: |
Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
I think that would be great if they offered free Korean classes to expats.
I think after living in Korea for a year, you should at LEAST be able to order a pizza over the telephone. |
Free classes ARE available. I think having progressive requirements up to level 3 or 4 would do wonders to clean up the industry. |
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Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| T-J wrote: |
Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
I think that would be great if they offered free Korean classes to expats.
I think after living in Korea for a year, you should at LEAST be able to order a pizza over the telephone. |
Well, in Canda, you get free English or French lessons, and I believe there is some of that out there in the U.S. If there were free Korean lessons in my area during the day, I would attend to make my life easier and to respect the fact that I am domiciled abroad. At least, some of us would avail ourselves of the lessons. There are free lessons in Seoul on Saturdays, but I don't live in Seoul, it's a one hour commute, and I would rather study Korean during the day in my area. I am teaching myself Korean, actually.
Sometimes, I ask Korean questions, but much of what I know was through my own effort, which isn't easy when it comes to a language so different than your own. I can appreciate the clerk or whatever calling doesn't speak English, so his government should make it easier for me to understand him. Hagwons don't want us to learn Korean because some think it's bad for us to know Korean, and that we may use it in the classroom. Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with a foreigner randomly using some Korean to explain some things. It could save class time. I have for exampled explained the word appeared: Natanada.
Sometimes, I find living in Korea difficult, because I would like more access to the language and culture. I am sure that's true elsewhere, but this language is so different than languages we're used to. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| T-J wrote: |
| Adventurer wrote: |
Also, I am sure some here once they've learned some Korean, it becomes difficult when you can't always put it all together to figure out what's being said. Sometimes, I can figure out what's being said, but quite often I can't. I am sure some veterans who understand bits and pieces wish they knew the language more.
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Phone conversations were the most difficult for me when I was starting out, and I imagine the same is true to some extent for others. A phone conversation removes all the visual clues that accompany a face to face conversation. It really isolates your listening and speaking skills, thus can be a great tool for improvement, albeit frustrating at times for beginners.
I knew that my Korean was coming together when I had phone conversations and the Korean on the other end was surprised to find out I wasn't Korean.
| Adventurer wrote: |
Do you think the Korean Government could do more to encourage foreigners to learn their language like opening free language centers for foreigners?
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Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
They wouldn't get a lot of teachers then. Remember their goal is to have a foreigner in every middle school. The restrictions are strict enough as it is. |
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T-J
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| T-J wrote: |
| Adventurer wrote: |
Also, I am sure some here once they've learned some Korean, it becomes difficult when you can't always put it all together to figure out what's being said. Sometimes, I can figure out what's being said, but quite often I can't. I am sure some veterans who understand bits and pieces wish they knew the language more.
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Phone conversations were the most difficult for me when I was starting out, and I imagine the same is true to some extent for others. A phone conversation removes all the visual clues that accompany a face to face conversation. It really isolates your listening and speaking skills, thus can be a great tool for improvement, albeit frustrating at times for beginners.
I knew that my Korean was coming together when I had phone conversations and the Korean on the other end was surprised to find out I wasn't Korean.
| Adventurer wrote: |
Do you think the Korean Government could do more to encourage foreigners to learn their language like opening free language centers for foreigners?
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Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
They wouldn't get a lot of teachers then. Remember their goal is to have a foreigner in every middle school. The restrictions are strict enough as it is. |
The foreigners in the PS system is by most accounts a temporary phenomenon until Korea can get its teachers up to speed. By SMOE's own admission they don't really care if teachers leave after one year, on the contrary they prefer a high turn over as "exposure to many different foreigners is of more importance than continuity or experience." I'm paraphrasing that a bit and the source is from a KT's article that I don't have in front of me right now, but I'm sure you remember the article UM.
Free lessons can be achieved very easily in the form of language exchanges / professional development with Korean teachers on site after school. |
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KoreaninKorea
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: Incheon
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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I paid to take some Korean lessons and they were way over my head. She spoke 100% Korean and there seem to be little order to her lesson. I soon quit. I would love to take free lessons but they are hard to find in Incheon. I have to commute 2 hours to Seoul and 2 hours back. This doesn't make weekdays classes easy. Plus I'm a hagwon teacher so most free classes don't fit my schedule. The weekend classes wouldn't be so bad, but I didn't come to Korea to teach all week and sit in a classroom all weekend. I been trying on my own but it's hard.
The best solution I can think of is to form a study group. Anyone in Incheon want to form a study group? I'm thinking meeting at 10am to 11am on the weekdays at Bupyeong. |
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tzechuk
Joined: 20 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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I was under the impression that you've been here a long time and could actually speak some Korean, adventurer?
Sorry if I am much mistaken.
But I think if you're here for the long haul, it's only right you should learn at least the basics.. |
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Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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| tzechuk wrote: |
I was under the impression that you've been here a long time and could actually speak some Korean, adventurer?
Sorry if I am much mistaken.
But I think if you're here for the long haul, it's only right you should learn at least the basics.. |
Most foreigners who have been here for three years, which is not a very long time don't speak very much Korean. I can order my food, I can understand prices, I can ask how much things are, I can give directions in a cab, I can understand many times when someone speaks to me, I can do functional Korean, and I can read Chosonmal or Hangeul well enough.
People don't know if they are here for the long-haul when they first arrive.
I never said that I speak a lot of Korean. One of my friends who has been here for 5-6 years cannot speak Korean. He can read it better than me, and he knows some words I don't know. Believe it or not, I know more Korean than some who have been here a lot longer than me, but my knowledge of the language is very basic. I am teaching myself Korean.
I have tried language exchanges. I haven't had a ton of luck with folks being consistent. I find it more consistent to meet with a foreign buddy over coffee and to study Korean together, but if there were Korean classes in my neighbhorhood that were free, I would attend. They would have to be during the week during the day or during the day at/on the weekend.
Do you think most foreigners who've been here for 3 years can really converse in Korea? It's rare. You've been here much longer than I have.
Were you able to deal with the KTX folks in Korean? I can only think of one guy in my area who can speak decent Korean, but he learned a lot of Korean before even coming here. He also has a Korean girlfriend.
Another friend took several classes, and he has been here for 6-7 years and has a Korean wife. I do want to learn more out of respect for the culture and to be able to navigate better.... |
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Privateer
Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Location: Easy Street.
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| Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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| They're most likely just sales calls and they're sticking to a script like they've been trained to. You're the hundredth person they've called that day, and they'll give you 3 or 4 chances before giving up on you. I bet spam callers do the exact same thing to immigrants with poor English skills in the West. |
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Adventurer
Joined: 28 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| pkang0202 wrote: |
| T-J wrote: |
Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
I think that would be great if they offered free Korean classes to expats.
I think after living in Korea for a year, you should at LEAST be able to order a pizza over the telephone. |
I am not sure I can order a pizza over the telephone. If someone gave me the script and went over it with me, I could help. I don't know pizza lingo. I can order a pizza in French, but not Korean. I can order food in a regular restaurant, that's easier than ordering a pizza. I will definitely attempt to order a pizza before I leave Korea:) Do you have a Korean girlfriend Pkang? How did you figure out how to order a pizza?
Do you say large pepperoni pizza? What about toppings? I can say my address in Korean. I am pretty sure I can, and I give my telephone number in Korean. I may have what's need to do it, but I haven't done it. |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:47 am Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| T-J wrote: |
| pkang0202 wrote: |
| T-J wrote: |
Absolutely, they should require that foreigners pass a TOPIK test to renew their visa. I think that demonstrating some degree of acclimation by foreigners wishing to stay for a second, or third year is not unreasonable and would benefit both Korea and the foreign teacher. |
I think that would be great if they offered free Korean classes to expats.
I think after living in Korea for a year, you should at LEAST be able to order a pizza over the telephone. |
Free classes ARE available. I think having progressive requirements up to level 3 or 4 would do wonders to clean up the industry. |
Wonjangnim, with all respect, and you know I respect you, you need to be ready to pay for this. I take the attitude that speaking Korean isn't my job. It's speaking English. If there's an emergency, I'll switch in the classroom, otherwise, to most of my students don't think I even know how to use chopsticks.
Korean: Not my problem. Not my job.
Do this with like a no smoking sign (/) and put IN SCOPE in the middle. When someone asks me why I don't speak to them in Korean (unless we're friends, I'm shopping, etc) I can just point to the sign. NOT IN SCOPE. |
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Straphanger
Joined: 09 Oct 2008
Location: Chilgok, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:59 am Post subject: Re: Phone calls in Korean....and speaking Korean in Korea |
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| Adventurer wrote: |
| Do you say large pepperoni pizza? What about toppings? I can say my address in Korean. I am pretty sure I can, and I give my telephone number in Korean. I may have what's need to do it, but I haven't done it. |
1. Pizzachicimnida.
2. Ne. Yeogi Westbumhole apartuh, 666dong, 1000ho.
3. Ne?
4. Combination pizza pay dal juseyo.
5. NE! <hangs up>
If you want to get creative, you can use skype to call the tourist translation service and conference in Dominoes. They don't like to do that, but they will.
Galbijim has some good info on this |
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