Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chilgok007]

To all Korean studyers/linguophiles....

I wanted to start a thread dedicated to sharing tips, experiences, advice and general Korean language questions.

It seems that the majority of foreigners out here make little effort to learn the language save a few useful, everyday expressions. I can understand where they are coming from: it's entirely feasibly to get around in the country with minimal to no Korean skills. Also, Koreans do tend to be a bit shy and self-conscious around foreigners, making personal contact difficult. For me, however, learning Korean has become something of a hobby. I've been studying now, fairly instensely, for the past seven months. I'd say I'm at an intermediate level (probably equivelant to someones whose taken 101 and 102 in a North American unviersity...just a guess though). I can also speak fluent Chinese and a bit of French.


So, to get the ball rolling, here's my daily study routine:



1/2 hour: Berkley University Press's "College Korean (대학 한국어)"
1/2 hour: Ganada institute's "Begining Korean" for pronounciation and listening practice. I'm about to start on book 2, as soon as I have time to head to the bookstore and pick it up.
1/2-1 hour: "The Little Prince/어린와자" (English-Korean version...not sure which one specificially. I know there are several English-Korean versions out there, some of which are translated quite differently), or a Korean newspaper.
I use "Korean Grammer for International Learners" (Yonsei University Press) for random grammer queries.

I've also been making my own flashcards which I carry around and flip through any time I have a few minutes to spare (walking, riding an elevator, downtime at work, etc). I usually write full sentances containing an example of a certain grammatical feature. I tend not to write individual words, unless their use is self-evident (i.e. certain basic nouns, like "docter," "chopsticks," "store" etc). And of course, I try to make full use of my Korean friends and any curious, brave passerby or shopkeeper who happens to strike up a conversation.

[the_beaver]

I'll say it again: it's a rare person who can learn a language through self-study.

As for me, I study formally when I have time and try to read a Korean book every now and then.

[chilgok007]

I don't think it's rare, nor do I think it requires any special skills or talents. It just takes interest, passion, and making full use of your resources. It's just like going to the gym. That's something many people do on a daily basis, and something many people succeed at without the use of personal trainers. Yet, no one ever says "it's rare to get into shape on your own." Though, many people do resolve to start working out yet fail to keep it up. It definetly requires a bit of discipline to keep going when you hit the walls.

[the_beaver]

[chilgok007]

I would definetly agree with your assessment on self-learning vs. formal classroom study. But, I think the thing that seperates me and all the other self-learners here in the country from the "others" is that we're actually in the country and able to practice with native speakers on a daily basis. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be having the same results if I were trying to do it back home. I studied Chinese for quite some time in the classroom and the results weren't too impressive, until I actually lived in the country for an extended period of time. Also, I should add, that I am one of those people who learns better on their own.

By the way, what's your level, and how did you get to that point? You say you try to read Korean books, so I'm assuming your quite proficient by now. What's the secret to your success? Please do share...

[Mashimaro]

I'm trying to imcrease my vocab so I read a few pages of the dictionary when I have time. I'm also trying to watch as much Korean TV as I can for the listening side of things. Might give the beginner level hanja tests a shot in the near future.

[the_beaver]

[chilgok007]

Dang, quite the scholar, eh?

I don't mean to bud into your personal life, but did you come over here originally to study or to work? If so, how did you balance the two?

[the_beaver]

[JeJuJitsu]

[Qinella]

[ajgeddes]

[ChopChaeJoe]

I definitely like the idea of studying a book with english and Korean side-by-side, but I'd need something on the Dr. Suess level. Anyone where/what to look for?

[ihaveseoul2]

I don't want to discourage anyone from studying the Korean language.

But.. I will say that I do regret attempting to self-teach myself the language... although I wasn't presented with many options.

My first year.. I was tutored by a a friend from work for 2 hours a week and hit the books every day for at least an hour (except when there were hangovers)... I really studied whatever I felt like doing..

This year, however, I've started at a hagwon and the improvements have been coming much quicker. There is something about having a classroom atmosphere that helps... teachers with worksheets to aid in the "mash this crap in my head" mode often necessary and who have tips that the books often ignore.

I'm not saying self-study of Korean is impossible... but for me, personally, the time put in was not getting much of a return...

[billybrobby]

I do the "natural" approach. that means only doing things that a native speaker would do. that means not going to any korean classes or reading any grammar books. does it help you learn faster? no. but it's got advantages. one advantage is you don't have to go to any korean classes or read any grammar books.

honestly, I lived with a Korean girl for 2 months and after that I stopped studying almost completely. And that's not bragging. Because I don't think my Korean has improved much at all since then and that was a year ago. but after those 2 months I got to the point where I was "good enough" and that was good enough for me. Now I'm just a collection of cute phrases and clever tricks that make me appear to be fluent.

These days I read Korean books. Not real adult books, more like on the Charlie and Chocolate Factory level. In fact, that was the first book I read (it was good because I already knew what happened and could skip the hard parts). Watching TV is good too. Dramas are nice because there are long pauses between sentences where they show the actors crying or going 어머머 and you can figure out what they just said. I like 짱구 too.

It may sound crude or manipulative, but I would say get a Korean girlfriend or boyfriend. And get one that doesn't know or refuses to speak a lick of English. There's honestly no better way. Except maybe taking classes. I did that for a month, but I had a problem showing up sober so not a lot stuck with me.