Korean Job Discussion Forums

[digsydinner]

I'm sure there are some threads or an FAQ somewhere, but I can't seem to find one in the search.

Can anyone recommend an effective way to learn Korean? I'm looking for any suggestions on books, courses, websites. I've set this as my top priority (besides working) for the remainder of this year.

Also, how many of you did not speak a word of Korean but now consider yourself fluent? How long did it take and what was your motivation level for learning?

I've tried the "language exchange" route, but all I ended up with were clingy female stalkers who were less interested in learning and more interested in going to cafes, movies, and shopping (which you would think is a good thing for a single guy, but not really...)

Thanks in advance...

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

Do you have an ipod?

I downloaded some great free stuff from itunes

[coralreefer_1]

My best suggestion (if your schedule and budget allow it) would be to enroll in a university program for Korean language.

I came to Korea with a taekwondo scholarship, and during those first 2 years of that scholarship, I did not really study Korean. I had taught myself to read the language within a day, but other than that I skipped the Korean language classes offered to me to participate in more taekwondo classes (I was on a taekwondo scholarship after all, not a language scholarship)

After graduated that department, I felt somewhat disappointed that I had been here for 2 years, but could not really say or understand much other than the most basic things. I then decided to spend a year in a Korean language program at another university.

I would not certainly consider myself fluent, but my Korean is pretty darn good, and I don't sound like a waegook when I speak it. I really only studied for 1 year (actual study) and only occasionally scan through my book, but I have no problems at all expressing my thoughts on a wide variety of subjects. Of course i may not say things exactly the way a Korean would say them, but I can make my ideas and thoughts known quite easily.

That being said, my case may be different than many here, because I am around Koreans all day long. I don't teach English and only know 2 other foreigners who I rarely meet. The Chinese students in my Korean program studied Korean all day, then went back to their dormitory and spoke Chinese for the rest of the day. Not having the luxury of having many English speakers around me improved my Korean greatly.

Studying from a book is not really an option to LEARN the language beyond a certain point, but more geared to supplement and help improve an underlying basic understanding of the language. Just take a look at all the Koreans who spent 16 years studying English and yet many of them can't string more than 2 sentences together. Compare the English ability of the average Korean, against one who spent a year in an English speaking country for a year studying.

There are plenty of books in the bookstores (I like the Korean for Foreigners series, and also the Yonsei series) and a simple google for learning Korean online can bring many decent resources.

However, enrolling in a class, spending 4 hours a day, 5 days a week with a teacher and other students actually learning the language will get you much much farther than any book or website. If you want results, then you must be willing to make the sacrifice. The structured program and slight competition form fellow students (who wants to be the dork who did not learn the previous days work and have a red face in class) will motivate you to study.

Don't be one of those dorks in Starbucks with your Korean book trying to pick up girls hoping they will be interested in a foreigner who they think "wants to learn" Korean. While that guy is basically fishing for interest, studying in a university program will allow you to have a real conversation rather than hoping for a sympathy date.

Good luck with whatever course you choose to take!

[gangwonbound]

Get a Korean girlfriend/boyfriend and learn from them.

If you already have a Foreign girlfriend/boyfriend just get another apartment than your girl/boyfriend doesn't know about.

Live part time with the Korean girl/boyfriend and when you have learnt enough Korean just follow that thread about how to get rid of a Korean girlfriend.

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

[gangwonbound]

[movybuf]

Another thread about learning Korean, another chance to promote my wife. She teaches Korean to a few students now, but has time during the day to have a few more. If you live in SW Seoul, or are willing to travel, you can have an experienced Korean teacher help you. She speaks English and is already married (of course) so you don't have to worry about the problems with language exchanges.

[PeteJB]

Well, I think I will promote myself in that case. I can also teach foreigners beginner or intermediate Korean, but I am not a wife nor am I female, so that equals zero applicants.

[Adjumas Cheekbones]

[PeteJB]

So long as it stops at the heels.