Korean Job Discussion Forums

herminator · Joined: 30 Jan 2010

I intend to go to Yonsei or Sogang in September after my contract at my current job ends.

I have a few questions for anyone who has experience going to any university language program.

How was the placement test? I am studying with my girlfriend and just using workbooks at home right now. I would be happy if I placed out of the first level of a program.

Did you work while going? If so, how many hours a week did you work? Was it manageable?

If you were working and going to school at the same time, what visa were you on? I have concerns about whether I should switch to a student Visa and apply for work or just get another E2.

modernseoul · Joined: 11 Sep 2011 Location: Seoul

Hyeon In · Joined: 16 Feb 2012

I worked while going to Sogang. I taught in the afternoon at the university I work at. It was *tough* to try and keep on top of things. I found it hard to keep up with learning the required vocabulary after being tired from work. I had a pretty low hour job.

However, a couple of my Chinese classmates managed to hold down restaurant jobs and keep up pretty well with the classes.

I guess it depends on how good you are at learning languages..

With regards to a level test, I wouldn't worry about that. The point of a level test is to put you in the appropriate level class. If you end up in a level too advanced for you you'll be stressed out of your mind, and it sucks being the weakest member of the class. You don't want to do 'well' in a level test, if 'well' means tricking the examiner into thinking you're better than you are. The big unis are pretty good at putting you in the right level class. Sure you might cover some things you already know, but I bet you won't know everything, and you'll be practising with other students who will also teach you a lot. You'll learn more from a class slightly below your level than one significantly above it, especially if you're working at the same time.

furtakk · Joined: 02 Jun 2009

The level test at Sogang is all oral. They have a series of questions they run through to see what grammar you have already learned. They get progressively harder until you can't keep up.

Placing in level 2 is quite easy so long as you have the basics down. If you want to place in level 3 you should be comfortable with quoted speech as it takes up a large chunk of level 2.

If you plan to go to Sogang, I'd suggest buying and completing their books if you haven't already. Make sure you learn the grammar/vocab they use as the upper levels build on the lower ones.

As for working at the same time. I did two semesters of just studying, but I'll be working from March onwards while studying. I planned to just work part-time, but my rent is a little more than it should be and I like not worrying about money. After 6 months you can legally work though, so if you're frugal and get a steady PT you should be okay. Or if you can find a light full-time it shouldn't be too bad as long as you have good time management skills.

The other good thing about the D4-4 is you're not limited to teaching positions. A lot of the students in the upper levels do editing/basic translation part-time. It's actually a lot easier to secure that kind of work when you're on a student visa. If you're doing that work full time you'd be on an E7 (I think) which is a lot harder to qualify for.