Korean Job Discussion Forums

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

Hello,

For the longest time, I have wanted to speak a second language. Currently, I am learning Korean but I realize that I will never will acquire fluency. Moreover, most of my days here are conducted in English.

Being American and pragmatic, I prefer Spanish. I am still young (25) and I do not have any substantial financial obligations. At my current rate of savings, I will save more than $10,000 after my first year in Busan. After my depature in July, I could use the money on a 4-6 month language immersion program in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, etc....

There are several programs offered through spanishabroad.com
latinimmersion.com and many more. For a twenty week program, at a cost of five to eight thousand dollars, I could receive 4-6 classes a day (max: 6 students), housing and SPANISH FOOD!

Has anybody participated a similiar program? If so, can you please offer some advice. This is an expensive venture, but one that will greatly improve my life and career prospects.

Thanks

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

During the summer I spend a month in central america. Guatemala (where I spent the most time) had Spanish schools all over the place and most had homestay options as well as small class sizes. I studied for two weeks at one place and I intend to go back and study at a few different places. I guess what I'm saying is don't lock yourself into one place.

kimchikowboy · Joined: 24 Jan 2003

I think there are better ways of doing it than what you have mentioned. I lived in Chile and Argentina for over three years before coming here, so PM me if you have specific questions.

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

thepeel · Joined: 08 Aug 2004

Uh, move to Miami or L.A. No need to live in poverty if your goal is SLA.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

VirginIslander, I have used the spanishabroad.com program. I went to Cusco and spent a month living with a family. I think you would spend less money if you just showed up and signed up for a class locally. I think by using one of these programs you will pay more. As for teaching English and trying to learn Spanish, I think that it is possible as long as you move to a rural area and have no foreign co-workers.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

I agree with the others. There are a lot of middlemen out there that are based on cashing in on people's good intentions while contributing nothing. Shop around first, you will probably find a better deal.

JZer · Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Location: South Korea

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

JZer wrote, "...but probably will have a hard time discussing anything abstract or philosophical."

Look, I'll be honest. Since the age of 25, I have spent most of my time avoiding people that speak in the abstract or philisophical, and I mean in my own native language!

K-in-C · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Heading somewhere

Hola,

Here is a starting point for studying in Guatemala. www.xelapages.com

Buenos dia,

tortuga

VirginIslander · Joined: 24 May 2006 Location: Busan

Thanks so much for suggestions. I lot of your ideas are being taken into careful consideration. I do not like the idea of spending my savings; however, coming from a family of nine, I never really had savings. And, I never had the money to study Spanish abroad. But, I do agree. It is a lot of money and I should not waste it on a flawed program.

JZer I agree with you. Next week I am going to begin a monthly, four hour Spanish course here in Busan. I am going to spend a a lot of time studying Spanish before my departure.

JZer did you enroll in the $800 a month program: six one-on-one classes a day, three meals a day and a homestay. At that rate and in theory, one could live and study for six months for $5,000. That is six hours of spanish practice, plus several hours with a host family and speaking around the city. Compare that to $20,000 to learn in English in the states for six months.

However, I also agree with the Beaver: dont spend all of your time and money in one place. There is 12 week, multi county program that I am looking into. But, it is too expensive and sounds like too much fun and not enough studying.

In regards to Paji eh Wong, by working for a Hagwon, I tacitly agree to the middlemen out there cashing in on people's good intentions. Without them, I would not have my savings. But I see your point.

BJWD, if I had to choose a spanish speaking American city, I would choose Ponce. But I do not know enough Spanish for Puerto Rico. I tried during my layovers on my way to the VI.

Thanks so much for the help,

Bob

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

When I was looking to do something similar, I focused on schools in Guatemala.

I found that for 5-days weeks, 5 hours of 1-on-1 study with a Native Speaker, afternoon cultural activities, and weekend sight-seeing, and living with a Guatemalan family, it was about $120-$150 a WEEK.

Guatemala is beautiful--why not look there? I spent a summer translating in Guatemala City and would go back in a heartbeat.