Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Darl]

Say it in English, people. We are here to teach English. Plus, (In Chris Rock voice) WHO in the HELL don't know "hello" and "thank you"..? Everyone in Korea knows this.....Let's be honest. The only people impressed by your Korean are other foreigners. Either that or you can be a TV monkey. You dress up like a clown and speak a little Korean to show them that we can learn their language, for no other purpose than going back to the states and really impressing the dry cleaner. who speaks English anyways.

My 2 cents. Retort in force, if you must.

[tzechuk]

Darl - let's put it in a different perspective..

If you were in, say, Spain or Italy, doing the same job, i.e. teaching English, would you be more enthusiastic about learning Spanish or Italian?

Just asking.

[Scamps]

I understand what you're saying and you're right, everyone who doesn't live under a rock knows hello and thank you. But I think it's nice to say as much as you can in Korean. When I'm in the US I don't want to hear "hola" and "gracias" although I know what they mean. I would think to myself, wow, don't you know ANY English at all?

[cheolsu]

If you're going to live in this country, you should speak the language. I learned to speak Korean because I live here. It's as simple as that. I'm embarrassed by my co-workers that have lived here for a year or more and still order in English. If you don't want Koreans speaking to you in English in your home country, don't speak to them in English here, unless you know they understand you when you say "I'll have the bibimbap, please, and also some gogi mandu. Thanks."

[Darl]

My point is, that while I have taken the time to learn the language, "hello" and "thanks" are always cool. No matter how much language you have learned. Everyone wants some English outta you. Everyone. Use your English whenever it seems someone wants to speak it, but always, always, use hello and thank you.

Korean language outside Korea is as useful as a one legged man in a butt-kicking contest, is my point.

[cheolsu]

[Tundra_Creature]

So what you're saying is... don't bother picking up a language if you're in a place to teach english?

[dragon777]

Your missing the point that learning another language means a little respect to some Koreans.
They actually feel benefitted that someone has bothered to learn their language. They feel gratified that some westeners have bothered to do this. Get off your big horn and feel good about doing something positive here.

[tzechuk]

Having lived here for 9 years, I actually speak a decent amount of Korean, despite not having studied it in a school or a language course, ever. One of my friends calls it *natural language acquisition*.

Anyway, the point is, I find it rather useful to show my students that I, too, am a language learner and I totally understand their struggles and frustrations. They appreciate it - the kids find it funny and amazing at the same time (that I sometimes throw in a Korean word here and there); the older ones (uni students and adults) are grateful for my understanding.

[uk27]

I always find it strange when people say things about not learning Korean because it's, like, not useful outside of Korea But, surely, at the moment you're INSIDE Korea?! Hence it will be useful now.

It's a bit like living in the Netherlands but refusing to learn Dutch because it won't be useful when you visit Germany.

I think it's an excuse, and a lame one.

[Emeliu]

[Bronski]

I've heard people aggressively insist that learning Korean is a waste of time. It's one thing to not learn it yourself, but to discourage others is pretty pathetic.

[sugarkane59]

Having trouble learning the language Darl? Your post has not been a popular one it seems!

Did you know that 75% of the world does not speak English as a first language? 'nough said.

[Emeliu]

[cheolsu]