Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Adventurer]

Foreigners Show Off Korean Skill


Tang Bochen from China delivers a Korean language speech in a contest at Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Friday. Some 1,100 foreigners applied for the competition, with 20 of them advancing to the final round. / Yonhap

By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter


The Vietnamese was among 20 Korean-speaking foreigners ㅡ which included several immigrant housewives, a monk from Nepal and foreign students ㅡ who advanced to the final round of the 12th Korean language speech contest at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, Friday.

Co-hosted by Kyung Hee University's Institute of International Education and Yonhap News agency, the annual contest was sponsored by The Korea Times.

``It was meant to help foreigners get confidence in studying the Korean language and promote self-reflection among Koreans after their encounters with foreigners,'' said Prof. Kim Jung-sup, dean of the institute.


Describing a metro bus she uses to go to school, Gammanavidanaarac Hchigemegha from Sri Lanka, said, ``It provides me with opportunities to watch and experience diverse aspects of Korean society.''

The other speakers also talked about the various ways they developed to enjoy Korea along with heartwarming stories on their mothers before an audience of 700 spectators at the school's auditorium.

Grand Prize winner Lindemann said, ``I didn't expect to be ranked first.'' He studies at Korea University as an exchange student from the University of Bonn. ``I plan to earn a masters degree in Korean history,'' he added. `` I have polished my fluency by watching Korean TV and chatting with Korean friends.''

Prof. Kim said, ``In previous contests, students in Korean language accounted for the majority of contestants. But this year, the competitors include a monk, immigrant wives and even American servicemen here, meaning Korean is no longer a domestic language but an international one.''

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ONEULNALSHEEJOAYO

[VanIslander]

[roadwork]

[Zantetsuken]

The thing I hate about waygooks that learn Korean is that about 98% of them suck so much 우리나라 [Mod Edit]. For once I'd like to see or hear about some white guy or any other waygook talk about something other than Kimchi is the best food or Dokdo belongs to the Korea. My only motivation for being fluent would be to tell the average ajosshi/ajumma or Lee-Young Chan type how I really feel......not make them feel all warm inside about how I love dwenjang and the four seasons.

[Goku]

[coralreefer_1]

[Ilsanman]

As any language learning, some cultural learning is necessary and included.

The part that bothered me is the number of conversations including lines of 'Koreans have so much jung, they are so kind.' They put that crap in there to wave their flags.

Also, the whole 'foreigners can't eat kimchi' and 'all westerners wear their shoes in the house' normal crap is there too. I got sick of it.

[earthbound14]

Interesting article. Glad people are learning Korean and that it is appreciated.

Just the faint smell of BS though...can't quite shake it.

Koreans (hell Asians) really don't write like western folk do. It always seems so full of love for home, mother and ra ra stuff that isn't really true.

I find it really odd that the press make such blatant exaggerations like Korean is now an international language.

I'm coming to understand that just seems to be the way people write here, but you need a BS detector to sift through all the hoopla. I like it in poetry and letters, but in the press or in public speeches I just can't help but feel nausea and annoyance. I would like articles like this so much more if they were simply true rather than full of flag waving. O well, just my lack of ability to understand and adapt.

[cdninkorea]

Very interesting and insightful story, CoralReefer. Too bad you got edited into looking like the jerk though.

[tefain]

[PeteJB]

One of my goals is to be able to have an argument in Korean.

[phoneboothface]

난 한국어 졸라 못해 ㅡㅜ

[bogey666]

the Korean becoming an international languge made me guffaw.

but what the hell, let them feel a little pride. or whatever.

I also think it's good people are learning Korean. I wish I had the drive and motivation to do it, as well as the time and facilities nearby to do it.. I need a course, self study won't do.

the German guy, Lindermann made me almost spit my tomato out of my mouth.. he proudly proclaims he'll get a MASTERS degree in KOREAN HISTORY!

that should be very useful in the global job market

way to wisely invest in your education Hans!

about as useful as women's studies. African American studies. Chicano studies etc etc.

those courses should be part of something called "continuing education for adults, NOT degreed courses of study

[taobenli]

bogey666-
Yeah, because we don't need people who think about things anymore. The world would be such a happy place if everyone was a business major who only cared about their own economic advancement and looking out for number one.

If you ever look into what a PhD in Korean history entails, you'll realize it's no walk in the park. One must know not only Korean fluently, but also classical Chinese, and must also take a lot of time working with archives. It's true that a MA in Korean History may not be immediately useful, but hey, maybe it will be a stepping stone to something else for this guy.

There are people for whom raking in money is not the primary goal in life. Thank god for that...

[bogey666]