Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sigmundsmith]

This is not a thread about where or how best to learn Korean.

But it is an observation that I have noticed that expats (whether short or long term) have acquired a level of competency of a language moreso in many other Asian countries than in Korea.

Now it can be said that some Asian languages are easier to learn than others, I would agree. But even after traveling in Japan and China I have met expats who have been living in those respective countries for less time that I have lived in Korea who can communicate at a level that can cover many topics and a level that encompasses a vast array of vocabulary.

Asking may questions of these expats about learning those languages and discussions about the cultures they live in it seems that their desire to learn the language comes down to the fact that the society accommodates and accepts them to some degree and thus gives them encouragement to learn their language.

In my own experience I have taken a korean language course and whenever I tried to use it outside the classroom the reception wasnt warm. Considering I do speak another asian language quite well, communication was very open a discussion was quite free.

Of course this is a generalization. I like many here have experienced people who are surprised that I (non-korean) can speak Korean. They find it intriguing and sometimes amusing.

And that is the juxtaposition. They find it comical. I know that is the Korean way to laugh at something they find uncomfortable but it is off-putting and not encouraging for a person like me to try and interact. I still persevere but I can't see myself developing a high level of Korean language competency when responses are such as those are common.

[crossmr]

it depends on many many things:

1) Difficulty of language
Korean and Japanese are on similar levels, but in my opinion chinese and japanese are made more difficult by their writing systems

2) necessity
What do you do in those countries and are you likely to encounter english speakers in what you usually do, or do you have a native speaking friend you often hang out with

3) location
which can play into necessity, but those out in the country will probably be better at Korean than those living in the heart of gangnam on average

4) personal reasons
can range from length of stay, to motivation, to relationships, etc

I would hope by the end of the first year most people could walk into a restaurant here and say "blah blah 주세요"
one difference I think you'd find in Korea over Japan and China is that I think with very little effort most expats could learn to read everything even if they don't necessarily understand it.

between my short trips to Japan I've found English to be more used and accessible in Korea (I haven't gone to Tokyo yet, but Fukuoka and Osaka, both big places with big expat communities/tourist destinations) which probably also plays into it.

I don't think it is overly difficult to learn "tourist" korean and get a few basic phrases down. Becoming conversational is completely different.

[DorkothyParker]

I think for me, even with all my good intentions, it's just so easy to NOT learn the language. The subway has English everywhere as do many shops. While I've had a few awkward moments, the people here have been very accommodating regarding my ignorance. I try not to be lazy, but many Koreans I interact with speak enough English to communicate simple phrases and many of them are very kind and eager to practice their English. Path of least resistance makes me a bum, pretty much.

[misher]

The reason why a lot of Koreans laugh is also because of your pronunciation.
When I start learning a language I usually try to hit the accent first because locals will be more apt to speaking with me when they can understand 100% of what I'm trying to say. The only problem with this appraoch is that sometimes the locals will think your level is insanely advanced when it isn't.

Anyway, Japanese pronunciation is way easier than Korean. Korean just has way too many sounds that are hard to hit correctly. When a Korean hears a thick western accent speaking Korean it is funny to them. How many people on here laugh or make jokes abut a Korean when they say "not posseebure" and "lunchee." I know I have. Having people laugh at my pronunciation jsut makes me a lot more hungry to kill this language. And I will. It will take time but I'm determined to learn it well (for many reasons) and shove it someone's face when they assume I can't speak very well because of the way I look. Blah.

[jiberish]

Korean isn't necessary to live in Korea. There are so many people speaking english and things written twice, once in english that most people can't be bothered. Where as in Japan I found much less people were able to make a sentence in English.

[redaxe]

Yes, Korean culture is a reason why few foreigners learn Korean well, it is not terribly encouraging. But this varies from person to person, I know some Koreans that will have a conversation 100% in Korean with me, and I know some who will just laugh in my face and repeat what I said back at me like a parrot.

It's also the hardest dang language on the planet, though. I studied Mandarin Chinese and I find Korean about three or four times harder, I kid you not.

[fustiancorduroy]

[misher]

[misher]

Since we are on the topic of learning Korean this evening, does anyone know of a show on channel 23 with 3 adjossis talking about women? I've seen it twice and it seems to have the same old thing going on. The 3 adjossis ask questions to a young woman (celebrity, model etc) and try to act sincere when they are oggling her. THe last show I saw was about a girl talking about guys just look at her breasts all day (she had breast implants) and it annoys her. SHe was wearing quite skimpy clothing.

Anyway what I want to say is that the show had a foreign guy on it last week. He looked young, pretty good looking and could speak Korean DAMN WELL. WAY better than any of the misuda girls I've heard. They were talking about dating in the ROK and the foreign guy was giving his 0.02. He was portrayed in a positive light for the most part. Anyway who is this guy? I was just in awe of his Korean skills. He is not mixed or Kyopo so he had to of learned it without the help of family.

[crossmr]

[Troglodyte]

I worked at a school where the director discouraged me from learning Korean because she was afraid that I'd later use it in the classroom while teaching English.

[morrisonhotel]

[crossmr]

[redaxe]

[fustiancorduroy]