Korean Job Discussion Forums

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

I know most people who come to Korea want to study Korean. It seems natural, though for me doesn't seem practical long-term.

The zeal for studying English in Korea has really inspired me to look more seriously into acquiring a second language. For me, since I am Canadian, I feel like I should be putting my efforts into learning French first. It would definitely help open some doors career-wise back home.

I already have a good base from which to start, having taken French in elementary school, high school and university. My mother's family is French-Canadian (she does not speak French at all though) and I'm embarassed to say I can't speak the language my grandparents spoke. I'm far from being fluent. Mon francais ce n'est pas bon!!

Does anybody know if there is a place in Seoul where you can take conversational French lessons once or twice a week? I called one French school and they told me that one lesson a week would cost me about 400,000 Won a month. I thought that was ridiculous and wondered if there was a more affordable option.

Any help would be appreciated.

Merci beaucoup!

teachmeenglish · Joined: 14 Dec 2004

Hi, there is (or was 5 years ago) a french Hogwon in Myungdong. My old K-girl was a french major there. However they teach France french, not Quebec french so dont know how useful that will be.

ontheway · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 8:42 am Post subject:

Try the Alliance Francaise in Soeul. But maybe they're the ones with the high price. One of my hogwan students studies there full time in French. (She speaks Korean, English, Chinese - now French wow! Still in elementary school.)

Anyway, do it. It's a great idea. And a good way to be a better English teacher is to study another language.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

Funny how they charge so much for French lessons. I guess there is no shortage of well-off Koreans who are desperate to have kids that appear more dignified than the neighbor's kids, which are fluent English (and there are so few Koreans who can speak French properly, who's to know if the kids are fluent or not?). A Frenchman teaching at my friend's university told him that's why he hates his French majors. They think they are so dignified, and yet can't speak a lick of French. He was saying that they'll all be sent by their parents to live in Nice for a year to play being French, doing all the stereotypical activities (drink coffee while sitting at the terrace outside a cafe, eat French pastry and baguettes, smoke Gitanes, etc) and then return just as hopelessly inept at speaking French as they were before they left.

susy · Joined: 08 Oct 2005

where r u living now.

I am coming back to korea next week, was looking to see if i could give some french lessons. lived in france for 3 years & studied there. if you want conversational french maybe we could sort something out if you r not too far?>

mercury · Joined: 05 Dec 2004 Location: Pusan

susy · Joined: 08 Oct 2005

Hi mercury,

I was in Trets ( near aix en provence for 1 yr) and 2 years in Brittany.

Am actually here right now with my parents who still live here waiting to go back to south korea next week.

r u British?

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

susy · Joined: 08 Oct 2005

im going to be in ulsan i did pm you, pm me back as to what you think Cool

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Hi Susy....are you sure you PMd me? I don't see anything in there.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

ChimpumCallao · Joined: 17 May 2005 Location: your mom

hey! I wanna learn French too...if they teach these classes in English or Spanish and anyone else is going please PM me.

Thanks!

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

Count me in too. But I am looking for German or Spanish classes. I lived in Aix en Provence for a year aswell. Nice place.

susy · Joined: 08 Oct 2005

wow he he....lots of peeps from france...

where are people in Korea?. I wanted to know if it would be worth setting up a French class at weekends. Then i could travel up @ weekends.

Is anyone interested in that idea?. Cool

or maybe a French speaking get together?....

Mac i did Pm u maybe it got lost. I am going to be in Ulsan, but wondered if anyone else was up for it then it would make it worth while Wink

Big Mac · Joined: 17 Sep 2005

Hi again. I love the idea of studying French as a group on weekends. Perhaps once we get enough people together we can meet in an a central area in Seoul that would be easy for everyone to get to.

That would definitely make it much more your while, Susy. Maybe we can all pool our money to pay you as our teacher...that way it would be more affordable for all as well. It certainly looks like there is some interest out there.

Susy, I never did get your PM. But I'm sure we'll sort it all out.