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Hyeon Een
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
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 Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:28 am Post subject: Sogang Uni Korean Language Courses |
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I've read most of the threads about Korean classes in Korea. From what I can tell (mostly from The Beaver) the Sogang course seems like the 'best' in terms of learning how to speak Korean. They offer levels from 1-7. I'm wondering what I would expect from each level. I've checked their website and I couldn't find any more info than this:
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Level 1
Able to satisfy basic survival needs.
Level 2
Able to satisfy routine survival needs.
Level 3
Able to satisfy most survival needs.
Level 4
Able to satisfy basic social functions.
Level 5
Able to satisfy routine social functions.
Level 6
Able to satisfy most social functions.
Level 7
(Korean Culture Course)
Able to function in contemporary Korean society... |
There is a slightly more broken down version, but it doesn't really explain what I want to know. I want to know what kind of level you'd end up at after each course. What does "routine survival needs" mean? etc.
I can read/write Korean. I can kinda conjugate verbs and use the simple past tense. I can use sentence patterns such as -고 가싶어요 or -고있다 or endings like 내 or -죠/지 and a few more. I know a bunch of vocabulary. I can flirt with bargirls with broken baby-korean.
Basically my Korean is pretty bad, but I know a bit. I am wondering whether I should be aiming for their Level 2 program, or would I be better off taking their level 1? I have until March until I would be starting so hopefully I will be improving in the mean time. If I have enough money I'll study 2 semesters with them.
What I really would like to hear is what a student of this program is able to do after succesfully studying each level. What can a person of Level 1, 2, 3 etc. actually produce in Korean?
The reason I'm particularly interested in the Sogang program is because I read (on this board) that it is the best for actually producing people who can speak. My writing (well, internet speak and texting..) is already far better than my speaking, so I'm interested in a program that really helps my speech more than anything.
Furthermore, what is the best preperation to do before starting a course? I'm crap at self-study, but I can learn some vocab. Would learning a bunch of vocab be a useful start? I remember Tiger Beer complaining that it got very overwhelming once he got about 7 or 8 weeks into his course.. if I had a bunch of vocab already that might reduce my studying time, right? Then I could focus more on the grammar rather than having to learn hundreds of words of vocab each week as well as learning new grammar patterns..
Thanks for any help, particularly from Sogang alumni or dropouts  |
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SuperHero
Joined: 10 Dec 2003
Location: Superhero Hideout
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| Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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you might want to go to the bookstore and browse through thier textbooks to see the vocabular and grammar structures you are expected to learn.
I attended sogang last year and was placed in level 2. I was the strongest level 2 student there, but they wouldn't move me up despite another level test. The only thing that I really learned in level two was reported speech. I did however strengthen my command of several other structures that I knew passively but not actively.
I'm going back again this winter semester and looking forward to it. |
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Ginormousaurus
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit
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| Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject: |
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I have studied at Ehwa, Yonsei and now Sogang. I'd have to say that Sogang is my favorite of the three.
Like has been said many times before on this site, Sogang focuses on speaking. That's the main reason why I left Yonsei. At Yonsei you learn tons of grammar, but it seems as though you are only learning it so you can pass a test. There is almost no in-class practise. I'm currently in level 3 at Sogang. Each unit consists of 2 new grammar patterns as well as real life dialogues to use them in. There are also around 70 or so words in the vocabulary list for each unit. (Some words are repeats from other units) You spend 2 days on each unit. So in one week you cover 2 units and have one day of review. The work is not overwhelming at all. There is homework everyday and it usually takes me about an hour to complete it.
To the OP, it sounds like level 2 would be an appropriate goal to set for yourself. If you want to get into level 3, you have to show a good command of reported speach. As was mentioned, it's a good idea to go to a bookstore and see what is required of you to reach a certain level.
Good luck! |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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I've taken the evening classes at Seoul National University. I really enjoyed them and they focus on all four areas.
However those courses move really fast. |
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stevieg4ever
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
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Ginormousaurus
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 5:18 am Post subject: |
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| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
I'm just about finished 3B (Sogang). I think they recently changed their numbering system, so I guess I'm using what used to be considered 6.
For self-study, I use "Exciting Korean Listening - Intermediate" and "Continuing Korean" for grammar. Both are really excellent books. |
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stevieg4ever
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:16 am Post subject: |
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really, u are a bout 2 books ahead of me then. i am on the sky blue book as ive given up refering to them by their labeling system lol or the 4th book in the series (however you want to label them).
ive heard of continuing korean, college korean is what ive been recommended. will look into them. its ashame these damned books cost so much.
| Ginormousaurus wrote: |
| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
I'm just about finished 3B (Sogang). I think they recently changed their numbering system, so I guess I'm using what used to be considered 6.
For self-study, I use "Exciting Korean Listening - Intermediate" and "Continuing Korean" for grammar. Both are really excellent books. |
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endo
Joined: 14 Mar 2004
Location: Seoul...my home
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 8:50 am Post subject: |
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| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
Ehwa was crap!
I mean they spent very litte time on speaking and we had to learn the higher or banmal form - i.e. imida or immika.
I worked so hard in that course as I was also teaching full time. When I tried practicing the words with co-workers they said I should just use the lower form.
I've been studying for over a year now (although half assed) with the help of my girlfriend. It's a great way to learn the laguage. |
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stevieg4ever
Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:13 am Post subject: |
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fair enough then lol
| endo wrote: |
| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
Ehwa was crap!
I mean they spent very litte time on speaking and we had to learn the higher or banmal form - i.e. imida or immika.
I worked so hard in that course as I was also teaching full time. When I tried practicing the words with co-workers they said I should just use the lower form.
I've been studying for over a year now (although half assed) with the help of my girlfriend. It's a great way to learn the laguage. |
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Ginormousaurus
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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| endo wrote: |
| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
Ehwa was crap!
I mean they spent very litte time on speaking and we had to learn the higher or banmal form - i.e. imida or immika.
I worked so hard in that course as I was also teaching full time. When I tried practicing the words with co-workers they said I should just use the lower form.
I've been studying for over a year now (although half assed) with the help of my girlfriend. It's a great way to learn the laguage. |
Banmal is the low form.
But I hear ya. I really hate studying the high form. I'm interested in talking to my friends and girls I meet. Always using -imnida sounds strange and people quickly tell you to stop. But it's the same at Yonsei as well. I did level 1 and 2 there and throughout level one everything is done in the high form.
Just a quick question (I know this probably isn't the right thread/forum but..) I can type in Hangul on my computer, but not on this message board. I have a Mac and use Safari. Does anyone know what I have to do to be able to type in Hangul? Thanks. |
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Canadian Club
Joined: 12 Aug 2006
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Ginormousaurus wrote: |
| endo wrote: |
| stevieg4ever wrote: |
I hear EWHA are the best, not because of the abundance of hot chicks but because they are supposed to be really passionate about teaching there. My tutor in london told me that and also a japanese friend of mine goes there very ocassionally for studying between uni semesters and she is very good.
What text books[s] do you use by the way? I am on the 5th of the sogang series but will start college korean pretty soon. |
Ehwa was crap!
I mean they spent very litte time on speaking and we had to learn the higher or banmal form - i.e. imida or immika.
I worked so hard in that course as I was also teaching full time. When I tried practicing the words with co-workers they said I should just use the lower form.
I've been studying for over a year now (although half assed) with the help of my girlfriend. It's a great way to learn the laguage. |
Banmal is the low form.
But I hear ya. I really hate studying the high form. I'm interested in talking to my friends and girls I meet. Always using -imnida sounds strange and people quickly tell you to stop. But it's the same at Yonsei as well. I did level 1 and 2 there and throughout level one everything is done in the high form.
Just a quick question (I know this probably isn't the right thread/forum but..) I can type in Hangul on my computer, but not on this message board. I have a Mac and use Safari. Does anyone know what I have to do to be able to type in Hangul? Thanks. |
I have a Mac too. How do you type in Hangul? |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 3:43 pm Post subject: |
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guys,
Go to Seoul, most of the classes use the 아/어 form jondemal is studied, but the emphasis is on survival Korean ie. Korean for everyday use. |
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Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Oh man, I SO wish Sogang had an afternoon class.
Anyone going there, please suggest it k. |
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crazylemongirl
Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...
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| Posted: Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:41 pm Post subject: |
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| or an evening class that went past level 2... *sigh* |
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