Korean Job Discussion Forums

Boogie · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Pusan

Many people say dont learn Korean because it is simply too disturbing to listen to Korean people talking about you all the time. So is it worth it?

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

What? I would love to be able to communicate with other Koreans. I don't understand what that person has told you. I believe that person doesn't really like Koreans too much, or is lacking in social skills to avoid conversations. Anyways I will say this, find a girlfriend or boyfriend that doesn't speak your native language. I have a girlfriend that speaks English better than I do, and my Korean has dropped over this last year.

l'il kim · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: T-dot

Many people say dont learn Korean because it is simply too disturbing to listen to Korean people talking about you all the time. So is it worth it?

Ummm, isn't that just an excuse for laziness? There seems to be two schools on the whole expat learning a foreign language while abroad. The first one is very dedicated, takes private lessons 5 times a week or regular university classes, and makes tremendous progress within a year or so. The other is uninterested, unmotivated, and lives in a cocoon, sheltered from the daily reality of local life. I've met people who've been in Kazakhstan for the last 9 or 10 years and still can't say more than "hello" in Russian (or Kazakh, for that matter).

In a country like Korea, where most people don't speak a lick of English, wouldn't it just make one's life SO much simpler to become proficient (if not necessarily fluent) in the language?

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I think it's worth it. It makes subway and bus rides more entertaining if you can eavesdrop on the convo and understand some of it. You can also communicate with your students more easily (esp. outside the classroom).

I fall in between the two groups the previous poster talked about; I take a class once a week and study for a couple hours during the week. I'm still at the beginning stage but I definitly have learned a hell of a lot more in the 3 months I've taken the class than I did just living here for a year.

Why not do it? Is it a big deal taking a 90 minute class once a week? There are plenty of places in the Seoul area where it only costs 1,000 won/class, so it doesnt put a big dent in your wallet.

JackSarang · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

Do it. Learning another language is enriching regardless of what language it is.

Secondly, you will be amazed at how easily you pick it up being in full-emmersion. The alphabet is insanely easy to learn (except for a few bizarre rules) and you can get the hang of the grammar.

My suggestion, is if you get a teacher, to have them teach you "middle korean", the second-highest level of politely. All the books and other stuff focus on the highest level of politeness, and while its good to know, its not nearly used as much and one of the reasons sometimes Koreans giggle at foreigners speaking korean is because they are being "hyper-formal" and it simply sounds odd... besides your crappy accent.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Of course it's worth it. Regardless of the country, how can you live somewhere for a year or more and not pick up at least a very basic understanding of the local language? Language gives insights to culture, and as a language instructor understanding the language of your students will give insights on how they learn English, why the make the common mistakes they do, etc. Korea is one of the (few?) places where the locals don't really expect you to know their language; Try going to France and refuse to learn French!

Been Here Years · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

If you have the ability then go for it. Learning and being able to communicate in another language - anyother language - is an asset which which always be with you. The mere effort of studying is good for you too and the end result will give you a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
I have tried to learn but unfortunately I don't have a brain that handles another language well. Embarassed

I gave up - please do better than me!!!!

IconsFanatic · Joined: 19 Jan 2003

Rand Al Thor · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Locked in an epic struggle

of course learning Korean is worth the effort. people who tell you otherwise are just f****d up. It's a big cop-out to say that not understanding is better. Besides that it makes your life easier.

Delilah · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Odessa, TX.

If you've got the chance, grab at it....It's a awesome language and it sounds sexy and smart too! Wink

Skippy · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Daejeon

Try and Learn. Very few people will ever get profficent enough or fluent. But even just learn some simple korean can make you life so much easier.

I mean shouting "TURN LEFT" to a Korean taxi driver will get you nowhere and stressed out. Learn to say stuff like that in Korean.

So once again start at beginning and learn the simple stuff. See if you can learn you Lonely Planet Phrase Book. Then go from there. You will likely never become amazing at Korean (unless you study hard for many years) but life in korea will be better.

Skippy the Evil Twin

Zyzyfer · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 5:46 pm Post subject:

I voted for this already?!? Oh well.

I can't stand *not* knowing what people are saying.

Ignatious Loyola · Joined: 27 Jan 2003

They say being fluent in a second language is like having a second soul.
Ja, Ich weiss.

richinkorea · Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 11:52 pm Post subject: Devils Advocate

OK, first of all I think it's best to learn some of the local language.
I have always been able to learn part of the language wherever I have been (most of Asia, some of Europe, etc.) I can understand most queries in Korean and have no problem with basic transactions and pleasantries.

But.... I have spent a considerable amount of time in Korea and found that having people talk about you "behind your back" right in front of you can have it's disadvantages also.

What I have found is that the more of the language you learn, the more people realize you might be able to speak Korean.

Say you are getting on a bus and you make the transaction in Korean, the rest of the passengers will know that you have at least a basic understanding of Korean. Now let's say you get on a bus and fumble about with the currency and destination in English. The rest of the passengers will realize this and most likely talk about you "behind your back". Old hands try this and see what you hear. Not too pleseant huh ?

So it is a double sided sword. Sometimes I get pissed when people talk "behind my back", other times it's great to have a conversation in Korean.

Definately a good topic for discussion, hoping for better feedback though.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

I've been here for a year and a half now, I have been studying Korean off and on, but I still can't seem to understand much. How long does it take before a person can start to pick up on an average conversation? I have a Korean girlfriend, but she refuses to help me with Korean, except for the odd word or phrase. I am really frustrated with trying to learn, I have the tapes, I use the internet sites, I am taking a once a week class and on and on. I just feel like it's next to impossible to learn unless I quit my job and study full time for a while.
Is this normal, or am I just 'Babo"?
Is it possible to learn while you are teaching English all the time?
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Some waygug-in