Korean Job Discussion Forums

[UknowsI]

I've started using TalkToMeInKorean.com . The talking style is quite natural, and you can download it for free and put it on your MP3 player, which is very convenient. I feel like it's best suited for a person who knows some Korean words but are not able to communicate well or make proper sentences. Their talking style is very natural and the sound quality is good, which is the opposite of what I would say about the Pimsleur series.

[fosterman]

get a Korean girlfriend who doesn't speak English!
and you make the effort to learn Korean, don't let her learn English...

you will be fluent in 12 months!

[R. S. Refugee]

I don't know why they charge some much for these at Amazon. I just got the Student book with it's included CD and a grammar and vocabulary supplementary book and the workbook all for about $30 here in Seoul.

But, I must say, these are the best designed learning materials for learning Korean that I've come across. I highly recommend them. The Global Center for Foreigners in Itaewon wisely selected these books for the free Korean class that I'm taking there right now. Interestingly enough, the Korean woman instructor for this class is excellent also. Guess I'm on a lucky streak regarding studying Korean.

Also many free electronic flash card sets including all the vocab and expressions from the texts for these books can be found at quizlet.com if you search for sogang 1 at that site.

http://www.amazon.com/Sogang-Korean-New-Students-Book/dp/8976995724/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327937278&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Workbook-1A-Sogang-Korean-New/dp/8976995821/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327937278&sr=1-3

[detonate]

[edwardcatflap]

[sirius black]

My thoughts are there isn't a 'best' way. People learn in different ways. If you know what works best for you (rote memorization, videos, books for self study, classroom, private instruction, etc.) then find that way.

Generally speaking most folks learn from a combination of ways. Also, what your goal is helps determine what is best. A few useful phrases v. fluency.

As for the gf route, and some may be different but I've found that its she who ends up learning english rather than you learning koran. Many korean girls don't even want you to learn too much korean or at least get anywhere near fluency so you can't meet other women. Not that they won't answer questions but I've seen guys with long time korean gfs who can hardly speak the language.

Also fluency actually makes some girls suspicious. They think you've been with a lot of k girls. Its the same as if you meet a k girl with near fluency at a bar or club. First thing in your mind is she's been around a lot of foreign guys (don't say you dont think that either). Its the same with some korean girls.

For me its a combination of classes, constant self study and learning common language and cultural phrases from korean friends who when I use some stuff I learn will tell me if its common or too formal or a better way. I've found that books, in any language is often too formal and people don't speak like they do in books or videos. People can tell when you've learned from a book and when you've learned from hanging out with friends. Same in English.

[forvalor]

One tip I would give you is to not underestimate the importance of Vocabulary. The more words you know, the greater chance you have of understanding.

Grammar certainly has its place as well, but focusing on vocab has improved my understanding like nothing else. Most beginner books will teach you a max of 300-500 words. This is not even close to the number of Vocabulary words needed to understand anything more than basic phrases.

Once you build your word bank up to more than 1000 words, you will start to pick out a lot of words in Korean Dramas. This really helps you to understand context and really cement the word in your mind.