Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kim Jong Jordan]

How many of you ESL teachers actually know how to speak Korean? To what degree? Can one get around in Korea without much of a knowledge about the language? I know nothing except how to say "Wow!" ("Assa!") (heck maybe this is wrong.)

[prosodic]

[Kim Jong Jordan]

I feel so stupid. I will definately learn some of the language.

[Ilsanman]

He is referring to �ƽ� which means 'yes!!!' in a celebration or delight kind of way.

I can speak intermediate level of Korean, but it is not necessary. Just makes life easier.

[prosodic]

[kangnamdragon]

Yes, he was referring to �ƽ�. To say wow, just say: wow. That is a Korean word now. My Korean is intermediate but I don't think it is needed for anyone who is staying here a short time. If you are here just to teach for a year, learn what you need and have fun.

[ladyandthetramp]

�ƽ� can also be used similar to "Awesome" (if you choose to use that word...)

I speak intermediate Korean, and it makes life more interesting and meeting Koreans a lot easier. It also gets me free drinks at the bar when I speak Korean to people (and I'm a guy...)

But, I agree with Kangnamdragon. If you're only planning to stay for a year, don't even bother learning more than the basics (learn how to write it, though! It's easier than 1+1). I've been studying for three years, cramming every night for the past year since I arrived, and I'm finally (only) at the point where I'm comfortable with some relatively simple conversation.

[jajdude]

I speak at about a 5 year old level except I can barely understand 5 year olds. Know lots of words. Can barely make a sentence. Cannot pronounce well.

Sounds a lot like many Koreans when it comes to English.

[just because]

I can get around and have slow conversations.

Know all my conjuctions, past present and future-tenses
I want to...
I must.....
I plan to....
Plus many others.

Took me a good year of irregular study to get this down and learn how to use it with the different verbs

Now all i need is practice and to learn more words.

[the eye]

its amazing...the world that opens up to you when you know the language of place. its easier to deal with people and their differences when you can talk to them.

[Zyzyfer]

You can possibly get around Seoul without knowing much about the language, but it's so easy to pick up essential Korean just by keeping your ears open that you're bound to know some bits and pieces after your first year. Other than flipping through a Korean phrases book or getting a cheapie Korean language book-tape set from your local library, however, I wouldn't consider studying seriously before you come over here.

[Mashimaro]

It's interesting how people classify there language level.
I studied pretty steadily on my own for 18 months or so and have studied full time for over 3 months and I still consider myself a beginner.

Comparing myself to most english teachers I guess I am advanced but on the road to mastering korean I've only taken the first few steps.

[ladyandthetramp]

[kangnamdragon]

They can read; they just don't understand what they read.

[ryleeys]

When someone asks me if I can speak Korean, I say no... I am studying, but I can't speak it as I can only form a few basic types of sentences.

However, if someone asks me if I can read Korean, I say yes. I'm pretty good about being able to hear Korean and write it correctly and I'm really good now at being able to sing in Korean and keep up with the songs. I figure if I can read it that fast, that counts as being able to read it.