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NohopeSeriously
Joined: 17 Jan 2011
Location: The Christian Right-Wing Educational Republic of Korea
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 Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| Another NET who I work with is from Wales who grew up learning Welsh. And now from an anglophonic point of view, she said that having a strong anglo-centric mindset wouldn't help someone learn languages. For starters, Welsh is VSO and English is SVO. I guess that itt would be easy for her ability to learn a SOV language like Korean. |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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| laynamarya wrote: |
| If you want to learn another language as an adult, especially a category V language, you need a similarly strong motivation. There has to be something you care about enough to put in your 2,200 hours. |
I don't know if it's fair to consider 2,200 hours an accurate figure. That's for those who test especially high on a foreign language aptitude test. (Most FSI applicants are rejected. Only a tiny percentage test high enough to be accepted into studying the highest category language.) And that's only class hours- not counting self study and homework. For most of us, it will take far longer than 2,200 hours to get to a level of basic working proficiency. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 3:25 am Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| laynamarya wrote: |
| If you want to learn another language as an adult, especially a category V language, you need a similarly strong motivation. There has to be something you care about enough to put in your 2,200 hours. |
I don't know if it's fair to consider 2,200 hours an accurate figure. That's for those who test especially high on a foreign language aptitude test. (Most FSI applicants are rejected. Only a tiny percentage test high enough to be accepted into studying the highest category language.) And that's only class hours- not counting self study and homework. For most of us, it will take far longer than 2,200 hours to get to a level of basic working proficiency. |
Hence the need for a very high level of motivation! |
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maitaidads
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
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| Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 11:04 am Post subject: |
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| World Traveler- you sound like you're a Charles Jenkins, not a Joseph Conrad. Just accept that you have trouble learning a second language and move on. Take up a new hobby like playing video games, power walking, or learning how to cook food. |
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Underwaterbob
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 3:35 am Post subject: |
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| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
and we are right back to motivation or lack thereof.
Good example right there. |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:50 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
and we are right back to motivation or lack thereof.
Good example right there. |
I'm learning Korean for self-defence.
Most waeguk frustration stems from an inability to express oneself and influence situations properly.
A prime motivation is to be able to argue effectively. Yeah. Its to rebuff the stupidity. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:53 am Post subject: |
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| Whatever works for you Julius. |
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McQwaid
Joined: 18 Jan 2004
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| Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 12:35 am Post subject: |
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It's a motivation thing. I've read many of those locked-up abroad books. All of the authors claim they learned the language super fast because they had to or the consequences were severe.
I've never suffered from not fully learning an Asian language (yet). Not really. Maybe got my food order mixed up but never a beat down or a loss of major money or disqualified from an educational opportunity.
I really respect those that do buckle down just to challenge themselves or communicate with the locals.Not sure about those that attempt to learn the local language to 'show' others. That's a lot of work just to feel superior.
Not too long ago someone I know said that language teachers who know only one language irritates them. I can understand that. A little anal, but ok. Glad I'm not teaching ESL anymore. I will never do it again. Gonna stick with math. Less politics. |
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World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
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| Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 4:47 am Post subject: |
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| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
and we are right back to motivation or lack thereof.
Good example right there. |
Not really. Underwaterbob (like most Dave's posters) is a lifer with a Korean wife. If he learned Korean he could communicate with his wife's parents and other members of the family he married into. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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| Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 5:02 am Post subject: |
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| World Traveler wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
and we are right back to motivation or lack thereof.
Good example right there. |
Not really. Underwaterbob (like most Dave's posters) is a lifer with a Korean wife. If he learned Korean he could communicate with his wife's parents and other members of the family he married into. |
Not necessarily. I know lots of lifers married to Koreans who stopped learning Korean at the basic level because they felt no need or desire to do so since their spouse could translate.
That is just someone who does not have a core motivation to learn Korean. It happens a lot and is no slight or commentary on the language itself WT.
Sure some people have an easier time learning languages, much like some people are more gifted in math or music. Still, learning is about motivation. Without it a learner does not go very far. With it, a learner can carry on despite setbacks and difficulties.
Motivation can come from many sources: interest, intellectual curiosity, necessity and many other things.
Seriously WT, if you have trouble learning Korean (no idea what your difficulties are and not judging you) I would lok at myself and wonder what my motivations are, how deep they run and what my desired end state is.
High motivation means the sacrifice required in time, energy and sometimes money will be made more readily than with low motivation where such things become excuses or reasons to quit. |
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bmaw01
Joined: 13 May 2013
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| Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 7:08 am Post subject: |
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I've been here 2 years and I can speak a little Korean, and it normally happens in a restaurant. To be honest I have a Thai girlfriend and I've been studying Thai feverishly. Again, it comes down to motivation. If you're motivated to do it then you will do it. If the motivation isn't there you will not want to learn Korean. It's the same with working out.
Motivation is the key.
Also, I'm working/teaching for 10 hours a day. I'm exhausted. The last thing I want to do is study. My brain is fried.  |
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12ax7
Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 9:37 am Post subject: |
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| Julius wrote: |
| PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
| Underwaterbob wrote: |
| I feel like the reason I don't speak more Korean is that I don't want to. I actually enjoy not understanding the constant, inane chatter around me, which is something I really notice when I'm back in English speaking parts. |
and we are right back to motivation or lack thereof.
Good example right there. |
I'm learning Korean for self-defence.
Most waeguk frustration stems from an inability to express oneself and influence situations properly.
A prime motivation is to be able to argue effectively. Yeah. Its to rebuff the stupidity. |
Trouble always seems to follow you. Why is that so? |
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