Korean Job Discussion Forums

Cedar · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 11:23 pm Post subject: One More Reason To Study Korean

I met a guy who is near completion of his PhD the other day. Like any reputable school his school requires him to have a certain level of proficiency in a foreign language. As is generally the case, if you are studying something like French literature or French history, then you'd have to test out with high French, but if any of you think you may go on to study about Korea-- guess what, you need to test out with good Korean, and however good your French may be, it won't get you the degree you want unless you abandon your focus on Korea. Focus on Korea might be for business, economics, political science, history, you name it.... the only kind of degrees that don't ask you to have good foreign language abilities are the kind you won't be proud to have on your resume.

This guy was a hagwon teacher back in 1996 and 1997. You know how much he wished he'd learned more then?

Let's just say you marry a Korean. Five years from now you start your PhD program. Time comes that you need to pick a country of focus and perhaps do some overseas research. You think your spouse wants to go do that research in China? in Spain? Well, maybe, but they'd probably be pretty happy to hang out while you did research in Korea, and they'd be able to be with friends, family and work, too.

Cedar · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 11:31 pm Post subject:

Oh, and that guy I was talking to hadn't married a Korean, he just had had a chance to learn a lot more about Korea than he thought, and it worked naturally into his research.

More strenous programs, and programs in languages and cultures, athropology, sociology, etc. often require --more than one language--. I have a professor who had to master Chinese, Japanese, Sanskrit, English and one more language out of French, German, and Russian (he chose French) in order to get his degree in Buddhist Studies. Of course he already had mastered Korean.

So, why not study Korean now, slowly and surely, if you have --any-- idea you'll ever go beyond your present degree?

taobenli · Joined: 26 Apr 2004

Hi, Cedar!

How did the wedding in China go?

For me, learning Korean has been a great move. I am finishing my M.A. this year and currently applying for PhD programs in anthropology, where I'll focus on Korea and China. Because I picked a language that is not popular in the U.S., I have received funding for both years of my M.A. (a rare thing) and summer study in Korea. And there are all kinds of fellowships open for people who aren't continuing on the PhD track- Chinese, Korean, Arabic and Russian are considered the languages most important for U.S. national security. If your Korean is already existant, the U.S. government could even pay you to study Korean for two years in Hawaii or L.A.- just search for "Boren Fellowship" online (this is for those who are U.S. citizens, obviously).

Korean may not be the most useful language in the world, but I'll have my Chinese for that. Korean is fun for me to learn and I think it will take me places academically.

taobenli (University of Washington)

korian · Joined: 26 Feb 2004

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!

Seriously. What are you talking about?

Your post makes no sense.

In any language.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

I often wonder what people who have spent 2-5 years or even longer in korea and go back home knowing 17 words of korean and how to order a beer. Isn't it embarrassing? More than that, doesn't it speak volumes (negatively) if it comes up in a job interviews etc.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

At about the 8 month mark for me, I met a guy who'd been in Korea for 9 years going on 10. I spoke way better Korean than him, which is just pathetic. He claimed to hate the country and be staying only for the paycheck and the easy opportunities to sleep with his students (he works in some unfortunate university).

Whenever the topic of 'loser' English teachers comes up, I think of him right away.

stumptown · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

I had a "head" teacher (messenger boy) that was the same way. He had been here for almost the same amount years and learned just enough to be able to carry on a conversation with bar girls. At that time, I was impressed. Now...I just laugh about it. It'd be funny if it was the same guy.

ThePoet · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 3:31 pm Post subject:

I have reviewed over 25 graduate schools to narrow down the possibility of which I will be applying to for my Ph.D. in Educational Technology. NONE of them have a second language requirement for graduation or as a part of the oral defense of my dissertation.

Poet

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

I think the OP was referring mainly to humanities and international business.

It makes sense that you wouldn't need a foreing language for computer science or technology.

simone · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Now Mostly @ Home

Red · Joined: 05 Jul 2004

Prince Frog · Joined: 03 Oct 2005

Demonicat · Joined: 18 Nov 2004 Location: Suwon

As someone getting ready for their MA in ancient history, I must say that only once did I see a language requirement.To graduate. And that was in ancient Greek or Roman.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005