Korean Job Discussion Forums

[KwardBound]

So...after a healthy discussion on another website's forums, I've pretty much decided that I won't be learning the Korean language. Still...I intend to spend 1 year teaching in Korea. Therefore I need to have enough linguistic skill to find sales at supermarkets and shop as the locals do (as my main objective in K-land is to save money).

How can you help?

Please tell me how much language I will have to learn. Is there a thread that talks about how to avoid Westerner prices?

[partlythere]

You will have to learn 30 % of the language. Ha just kidding.

I don't know how to say this without sounding blunt. You don't want to learn the language... but you want to learn the language? You will have to learn the language.

Honestly, why would you go and live somewhere without at least being open to the idea of picking up some new words to get you by

You could make some Korean friends who speak English and ask them to write a card with all the words you need. Just an idea.

[edwardcatflap]

I"ve never needed Korean to buy food in a shop or supermarket, though I do know something about cooking so can identify vegetables/herbs/cuts of meat easily. You will need Korean to eat in Korean restaurants but if you really want to save money you'll be buying the same cheap produce, Koreans buy from cheap supermarkets, and cooking with them at home. Get a taste for canned fish on special offer, minced pork, offal (I've seen liver in a few places) mussels, makerel, frozen chicken legs etc...Obviously buy Korean rice in bulk, tofal, green leaves, dodgy looking mushrooms, cabbage and the like and avoid potatoes,

[pangaea]

Kwardbound wrote:

[Gaber]

You don't need squat to go to the supermarket, just nod at the first thing she says if you want a bag.
Eating non-western restaurants is about the only thing I used Korean for in my first year.
Can be useful for classroom instructions though

[morrisonhotel]

[ciccone_youth]

I've lived one year in Korea, and barely spoke any Korean.. could say my name and greetings, and ask for some foods... and I could read Hangul. Which is important. You CAN be fine without speaking much Korean.

However, learning the language is interesting, and will open up more doors and will help you understand the culture a bit better in my opinion.

I've been in Japan for about eight months now, and I know a lot of Japanese by now... I study a lot and practice, and it makes me overall experience here a lot better.

[oldfatfarang]

OP> Don't worry. I'm in my 5th year in Korea and I only know 4 korean words: Hello, thank you, please, give me.

I've lived and visited over 40 countries and I don't see the need to learn Korean. Especially if you are like me: E2 temp visa, not interested in getting a K girlfriend - don't eat at K restaurants - etc. I find that most Koreans who want to speak to foreigners - speak some English.

One useful survival strategy is to always take a digital camera with you. I photo bus / train station signs, direction signs, food in supermarket, bus/train timetables etc, and then just show Koreans the pictures. Works a treat.

Save your energy for studying something that will pay off later down the line (distance MA, TEFL cert etc).

Good luck.

[SeoulNate]

You don't need to learn anything, but IMO, you will have a terrible time if you dont learn a little.

1. Numbers - very important for all kinds of things

2. some basic communication words / phrases. Where, What, How much, How Many, Give Me, Please, Thank you, Hello etc.

3. Read some Hangul.

I work with a guy now who will be leaving in 1 month and speaks about 4 words of Korean, so it is possible.

[Hyeon Een]

[Senior]

Honestly, you would have to be a dullard to not learn a little by accident. Not learning hangeul is for the intellectually barren only. For the amount of time it takes to to learn the letters, to the amount of benefit it gives, not taking two hours to memorize them is a mistake.

For a year, studying three hours a day is a complete waste of time. I wish I had spent three hours a week though.

[ciccone_youth]

Agree for Hangul... I did not realize how EASY it is until I tried to learn Hiragana/Katakana. I finally mastered my kana after 6 months... Hangul only takes a few days to memorize, then you're set!

Oh, Hangul, how I miss you.

[crisdean]

[Senior]

How difficult is it to learn to say "bag" in Korean? It's easy because it is a hilarious word. Bong too. Just think of a hippie smoking two bongs inside a bag. There, I just taught you how to say bag in Korean, and you will never forget it.

[Lolimahro]

One can survive in Korea with very, very little Korean. English signs are everywhere, and if you at least learn to read Hangeul, you'll be able to read maps in Korean as well.

Still, learning Korean increases your quality of life by a HUGE amount. You can ask for things more specifically. You have a larger selection of choices of hospitals.

You can ask for directions from ANYONE if you are lost, especially if you end up stuck in an area with no bus stations or taxis to be seen (has happened to me a couple of times, even in Seoul).

You will save more money knowing the language because you will be able to direct taxi drivers on the fastest route home, you will be able to take buses instead of always relying on the subway system (there are soooo many people here who don't get buses, because reading the bus routes is a little bit daunting for them I think).

You will be able to haggle prices better if you can speak Korean, thus getting better deals on everything from shoe laces to bedding to electronics...you name it.

You can give better directions for a hair cut, say the medications you are allergic to, or order food more specifically in Korean.

You can find amazing discounts if you can surf the web in Korean.

You can complain about poor service you receive or defective products you buy and get compensated for them if you can speak Korean.

Heck, just two days ago, a co-worker of mine got hit by a car, not injured, but got several hundred thousand won under the table as compensation, because his girlfriend speaks Korean and argue with the driver who hit him.

In short, although you can survive in Korea pretty well without speaking the local language, I would reconsider your decision not to learn Korean. Maybe you may not become fluent, but it will help you save more money than you think.