Korean Job Discussion Forums

[misher]

Hi,

I know this topic has been discussed to death but I'm looking for some current advice.

I'm currently at Sogang and I like it quite a bit. The problem is that there is a lot of English spoken at the lower levels. Does this change as you get above level 2 or so?

Also, I'm looking to eventually do a graduate degree here (hopefully I will get a scholarship) and I will need a TOPIK score of 5 which is hard to get. I started studying last month and will continue for 2 years.

The problem is I keep hearing from a classmate, who has friends at Yonsei, that they learn a lot more. Every week there are tests and the vocabulary lists are huge. The problem I have with Sogang is that what we are expected to know isn't much. I'm not working at the moment so I have time to study. I got over 98% on my midterms so I need more of a challenge. Will Yonsei push me more? Considering I want to do a graduate degree, will the entire Yonsei program prepare me a lot better? Or will graduates of Sogang and Yonsei be about on par with one another (doing all the levels).

I'm not concerned about learning style. My girlfriend is Korean and we speak almost entirely in Korean now. I actually speak more Korean outside of class than in.

I jsut want more challenge. WIll the sogang program step it up? THanks

misher

[PeteJB]

Sogang probably has the better method of teaching (except for the higher levels) but Yonsei and SNU are definitely for you seeing as you plan to pursue a degree here. I've studied at all 3 of these places.

[the_beaver]

I've never studied at the lower levels in Sogang, but from at least level 4 I didn't hear much English except at break time.

I'm back at Yonsei right now (level 5). I was just thinking the other day how little we are being taught as compared to Sogang level 5. Maybe a handful of vocabulary a day and a couple of grammar points/sentence patterns every day or two. I don't know what your friend's friends are doing at the lower levels.

If you like Sogang now, I doubt very much that you'll like Yonsei because it seems that your learning style matches Sogang's teaching style. Still, if you have the time, go to Yonsei for a semester (or take the afternoon course) and see what you think. Despite using a a language teaching method that was largely abandoned because it is ineffective, it does appeal to some learning types.

No, the Yonsei program will not prepare you better for a graduate program. Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, Yonsei has no meaningful writing in class or otherwise. Sogang's writing class (if you take it) culminates in writing a major essay (of around 15 pages) by level 6. I wasn't keeping detailed records, but consider that a lot of language schools were attending the 한글날 writing contest held a few weeks back, that Yonsei had by far the majority of participants, and that language school names other than Yonsei were announced more often than not (with Sogang taking a number) for awards.

The only greater challenge that the average student will get at Yonsei KLI is staying awake in class. Again, however, I want to stress -- every student is different so the only 'good' language school is the one which matches most closely with the student's learning style. Yonsei, for all of its attitude and archaic approach, is good for some kinds of learners, while Sogang, for all its modern and dynamic approach, isn't for everybody. In terms of any objective measure of a language program Sogang kicks Yonsei's ass all through Shinchon and beyond, but because it's a subjective thing as far as individual students go, it really all depends.

[misher]

So when I graduate from Sogang at level 7 (if I don't fail that is), my knowledge of the Korean language (written and spoken) should be on par with Yonsei students? I'm just worried that they will learn more.

Beaver,

Would you say that Yonsei's program is more difficult to pass? Is there more to know? Or is it about the same.

[roadwork]

[Psy]

I graduated from Yonsei KLI a couple of years ago and I'd have to say it was pretty darn easy. As far as I can remember, only 1 or 2 students were ever left back or had to repeat a level.

I can't compare with Sogang but, most of my memories were of being drunk all the time and actually becoming pretty proficient in conversational Japanese trying to pick up girls. Hmm, that was pretty off topic, wasn't it. Oh, well, good luck!

[misher]

[roadwork]

[the_beaver]

[Ukon]

I met a guy who completed many yonsei courses....

My co-teacher says he talks like grandpa: he uses the high form to damn much and talks like a korean text book.

[crossmr]

If sogang focuses on writing, and creative writing at that, you should go with that.

The benefit gained from making your own sentences, whether spoken or written is great compared to just memorizing huge lists of vocabulary and having a test on them. The retention of all that vocabulary is difficult without constant application and use.

[misher]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll just continue at Sogang. Cheers

misher

[fermentation]

I know several foreigners who study at Sogang, and they speak awesome Korean. In fact, they may speak it almost as well as I do.

[crossmr]

I just picked up "useful chinese characters for learners of Korean" its an English hanja book. It might be useful for you, around 12000W it has around 260-300 hanja in it.

[misher]

Crossmr,

Yeah I'm eventually going to have to tackle hanja sooner or later. I want to learn Japanese and how to write Chinese ( I was too slack when I lived there to bother learning any characters other than a hundred or so basic ones.

I'm about to go to COEX...will that book be available there?