Korean Job Discussion Forums

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I call bullcrap on that last quote. U can't be fluent in Korean in 6 months even if you were studying 24 hours a day. It takes at a minimum 2 years(more like 5-7) to be fully fluent.

I wouldn't consider anyone fluent until basically the are pretty much the same as the native population.

Ilsanman · Joined: 15 Aug 2003 Location: Bucheon, Korea

There are physical limitations to how fast a person can learn.

I would guess at my rate, 3 years to near-fluency.

mithridates · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:34 am Post subject:

I've always wanted to do a few tests on a group of people. One would be a group of English speakers that don't know any Korean, another would be a group of Japanese speakers, and another would be a group of European language speakers that are fluent in Japanese. Get them to live in Korea and make them go to school full-time, and provide them tutoring and so on afterwards to give them complete immersion. Only give them about an hour a day to write home and so on, and no time to hang out with speakers of their language. I wonder how long it would take? I assume

1.5 - 3 years for the first group
8 months - 2 years for the second, and
6 months - 1.5 years for the third...

that would be fun to be part of an experiment like that though.

The Hammer · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:51 pm Post subject:

Ilsanman,

Get a pronunciation coach and practice, practice practice!

My level is beginner, but my pronunciation is pretty good. I read paragraphs over and over to my girl and she corrects my pronunciation errors on the spot.

Do it and you will prosper! Laughing

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

Corporal · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

The people who have a native Korean speaker around 24-7 are at a distinct advantage when it comes to picking up the subtleties of pronunciation. Can't get that out of a textbook.

komtengi · Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Location: Slummin it up in Haebangchon

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea

ok...........I was referring to people who say they have learned Korean so quickly...then brag about it and try to make others think they are better..........some people speak Korean well but dont' brag about it

just because · Joined: 01 Aug 2003 Location: Changwon - 4964

I know a person like that.

Been here for over 2 years and basically can't read a thing and he can put some basic sayings and crude things together.

He tells everyone how good he is at Korean(these are people who have been here 2 weeks with wonder in their eyes) so i usually start talking to him in basic Korean(and my Korean in my opinion is pretty average) and he goes something like "oh..I'll talk later".

Medic · Joined: 11 Mar 2003

A bit off the topic, but a budy of mine put an add on the Pusan webb looking for a part time job. In his add though he said that he had studied Korean for a year at Dangook university, and he has since been inundated with offers of work.

I might change my add to read " I have a good knowledge of "Korean". It's on the same page as my buddies, but I only recieved 2 calls in 2 months

kangnamdragon · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Kangnam, Seoul, Korea