Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

If you are like me, you have been here several years and still suck at speaking Korean.

My excuses:

I haven't studied much.

I get embarrassed easily.

I don't like being misunderstood, though that happens enough anyway.

I dislike being laughed at or ignored for attempting to use their language, even when I know the Korean(s) involved know even less English!

I now don't live near anywhere that offers Korean language classes. I'm lazy.

I don't really care (that pretty much sums it all up I guess).

I don't have a lot of respect for the language or the people.

Still sometimes I wish I could haul off some kick-ass Korean!

Actually, strange as it may sound, 3 or 4 years ago I would sometimes have conversations with Koreans in broken language, mainly when I was drunk. People were impressed I could manage a bit of communication. But I rarely even bother anymore. Guess I gave up a good while ago.

[Zed]

I studied quite a bit the first year I was here. After that I let it slide too much.

Possible reasons:

Laziness.

I didn't really expect to stay here for another contract.

I don't hang around with Koreans much and those I do speak English.

I'm satisfied that my Korean level gets me by day to day.

[Toby]

I am studying now, but not improving.

However. When I am drunk, I can sustain a 20 minute conversation without thinking about it. Dutch courage and all that.

[just because]

My korean is low-intermediate but when i am drunk I seem to be a damn good speaker.

Why is it when you are half-intoxicated(not completely plastered) it is much easier to speak a foreign language????

[ryleeys]

I'm ashamed that after 6 months here, I'm still learning the most basic of grammar. The only functional Korean I know so far are courtesies and classroom commands. I study every day for about an hour, but the only way for me to learn something is to write it over... and over... and over... and over. I literally write a phrase at least 200 times before I remember it. Vocabulary is a little better; a single word I can get by with about 100 times and then I'll remember.

[just because]

Some words I will remember after learning 1 time, some it takes me 20 times....

I'm a writer as well but the more you learn the more the words start to sound similar and they click a lot more easily.

[Eazy_E]

I would say I'm a high-level beginner. I have a good grasp of basic grammar and I'm able to carry on a simple conversation. The kids' parents really like it and I'm able to survive quite well with what I know.

One thing that helps is studying through several different resources: for example, the Ganada books, Sogang online courses, and Korean friends. If you overlap your studies in this way, it seems to stick in your mind much better than it would with just rote memorization, though unfortunately it seems the latter is still necessary especially in the early going.

I'm happy with what I've learned in less than a year, but my will to study seems to be stalling as I get closer to the end of my contract. If I come back for another year I'll definitely make a better go of it.

[just because]

[gomurr]

I'm in the same boat. Been here 7 years and still suck at it.

My reasons for learning was to pick up girls.

My Reason for quiting was I got fed up with Korean women and the women I did marry is a Filipina

[the_beaver]