Korean Job Discussion Forums

[rapier]

Mine are fairly clear to me now:
1) To articulately rebuff any stupidity.
2) To be able to argue with Koreans on a wide rangeing, different issues.
3) To be more effective in the workplace: I want to know whats going down at all times and be one step ahead of the boss.
4) To chat up women who speak no English.
5) To correct any bigotted opinons/attitudes I may overhear.
6) To ease my translation skills in the classroom.
7) To help spread the word about protecting the environment to koreans.
To make better friendships...and get with all those cool Koreans I missed out on because I couldn't speak their language.
9) To enhance my career options here.

[OiGirl]

To enhance my career opportunities in the US.

[inthewild]

All of the reasons mentioned in the first two posts, along with the fact that it's a better hobby than some of my others. Good to keep the brain stimulated and all that.

[rapier]

[Mashimaro]

[MissCanada]

The ability to read a restaurant menu and find a norebang make it all worth it.

[dbee]

two things I've realised about learning Korean,

1) Koreans abroad are just like Koreans in Korea ... if they see someone non-Korean actually talking to them, they'll run a country mile. It doesn't matter what language you are speaking. These people are THE most introverted on earth. If you think you'll gain their trust abroad by actually speaking their language, I think you're mistaken.... (by the way, I speak four languages ... not Korean though !)

2) Koreans on a bussiness and personal level view anyone who speaks Korean with a fair amount of distrust. Most Koreans see their language as a birthright, not something that should be simply 'picked up' by a foreigner with a cassette tape ( or whatever ! )

... maybe I am wrong with these points though

[Buff]

I'm learning it because

1)I'm marrying a Korean. His family is fluent in English, and they're welcoming me into their family but speaking Korean will definitely help me to be more included in the practical respects. I don't want anyone to feel like they have to speak English just because I'm there and I don't want to be left out of conversations because of laziness.

2)My future kids will speak Korean and I want to be able to talk to them in either language.

3) I want to be able to survive here.

4) My fiance thinks it's so incredibly cute when I speak to him in Korean.

5) You never know what doors it might open...in Korea or anywhere else in the world. Sure it's not a world language but you just never know what specific skills can do for you. I can deliver lambs, revive them, give innoculations, all manner of livestock related stuff. I've never had to do it away from the farm back home but I'm sure glad I know how.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I only have a short list:

1) To be able to read a menu

2) To ask a stranger where X Restaurant is.

[I_Am_Wrong]

because

a: it's fun

b: I live here and will probably be here for a second year....makes life easier

c: I came to experience a culture and you can't do that without learning the language

[crazylemongirl]

1, I want to enter the New Zealand foreign service and having asian language skills is an advantage.

2. It makes me a better teacher

3. I'm better able to function in school and society with a basic level of korean.

4. It's fun freaking out the koreans and waygooks back home by talking korean to koreans in new zealand.

[Homer]

1- To better understand the culture here (it worked).

2- To be able to speak with my in-laws (big bonus)

3- To be able to speak with my kid in Korean when he is old enough (new development).

4- To learn a new language.

5- To enhance my career choices here and in Canada (allready working)

6- To read Korean litterature in the original.

7- Because its a cool language to learn.

[poker player]

I know I'm going to get flamed but I already know enough languages that cover what is spoken in about 60 % of the world. Since I have no intentions of staying here forever, damned if Im going to learn a language that is spoken in 1 country by less than 1% of the world's population. I can only think of a handful times in 3 years when it has been a real problem and I could give a crap less what they say about me in Korean.

[juicyhumdinger]

[OiGirl]