Korean Job Discussion Forums

[fezmond]

[mithridates]

[El Macho]

[Dixon]

Mithridates, you're an inspiration ^^

[chaz47]

Digging out this old post.

So, Mithridates, do you have a blog or something that covered your experience? I'm considering the same thing. I am curious about how much your language skills improved and how it has aided your life here?

After just over 7 years teaching here I would consider myself TOPIK 1. I have basic phrases, nouns, etc. Most of my more advanced skills center on classroom stuff, for example parts of speech or minor grammar explanation.

I am at the point where I might change countries but am reluctant to walk away from the ROK. Most people seem to believe that investing in some sort of MA will aid their advancement here, but I'm of the mind that a corporate training position would be easier with a better command of Korean.

Not to mention, 3 months of intense immersion sounds way better than 2 years of online study.

[hkfun]

For what it's worth, I've started using the Talk To Me In Korean website.

It's free, pretty fun, and they seem quite helpful. I'm not sure how much they have for more advanced learners (since I'm still a beginner), but I know I've seen at least some advanced stuff. They also talk about slang and answer questions, so that's always good.

And again, it's free.

[mithridates]

[joelove]

Ah, the MAX Livingtel. Brings back memories. Good link. Seems you learned so much in a short time, looking at the weeks or months instead of the hours and immersion. Frustrating as English and other languages are for so many people after years, but with just a few hours per week or so; too bad not everyone could use your approach, which looks like an insane amount of work and dedication, but pays off. Was it about 1000 hours in 3 months? No wonder 3 hours a week doesn't really cut it.

[IlIlNine]

[salutbonjour]

That's a lot of dedication to learning both Japanese and Korean.

Personally I attended language school for a year to enable me to be conversational and now I'm learning a word here and there while talking with my girlfriend.

I think getting to conversational is the biggest hurdle. Getting to beyond simple greeting and introducing yourself. The next big barrier is being able to talk about pretty much anything.

[mithridates]

[T-J]

Practical. DLI students tended to place into level 3 at Yonsei when I was there... My God that was twenty years ago... Where does the time go?

Nice post by the way. Brought back a lot of fond memories of pouring over studies in the coffee shops of Shinchon.

[joelove]

[Hugo85]

[joelove]

How many students are doing 20 hours a week for 2 years? I'd guess not many. I guess most of them are university students. Who has the time and money and motivation? That's why I suppose the average is much less, and the frustration pretty common. Reminding students how long (how many hours) it takes may help, or may sound discouraging. Just thinking if the average student is at about 4 hours a week, telling them it will take 10 years must be hard to accept. Kids might not even grasp the idea. I wonder how some do manage to become as good at the language as they do.