Korean Job Discussion Forums

changwonteacher · Joined: 05 Jan 2007

While I was teaching Englsh in Korea, the thing that stopped me from actually making any progress in learning the language was the knowledge that one day I would be back home in England where, frankly, Korean is of no use whatsoever.

Now I'm back in England, I'd still like to learn an Asian language (it would be a long-term plan, I know). Which should I learn though: Korean or Japanese? I plan to visit both countries again (I've lived in Japan before) at some time in the next ten years, but won't be spending a lot of time there because they are both a long, long way from home.

The main reason for learning Korean over Japanese is the writing system. I like the look of it. I like its simplicity and I think it will also be easier for me to get started with reading in Korean than it would with Japanese.

Can anybody think of any other reason why I should learn Korean instead of Japanese? Chic factor, social reasons, travel, business opportunities, websites or other cultural worlds that would be opened up for me?

esetters21 · Joined: 30 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

kingplaya4 · Joined: 14 May 2006

Consider Chinese if you have a facility for picking up accents. If you only want to choose between Japanese and Korean, think about what might be economically useful for you in the future. The US is doing an increasing amount of business with Korea, so Korean wouldn't be a horrible choice there, don't know much about the UK.

bellum99 · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: don't need to know

Pick a language you can use...Chinese seems like a smart choice. Why would anyone choose Korean over Chinese or Japanese? Seems like an easy to choose....

atomic42 · Joined: 06 Jul 2007 Location: Gimhae

Don't bother, all cash machines have English too. Wink

Atavistic · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:14 am Post subject:

Shouldda, wouldda, couldda, but didn't.

Learn whatever language you want, but WHY would you learn Korean in England if you didn't even make an effort here? Rolling Eyes

Homer · Guest

Chose the language, Japanese or Korean, based on what you intend to do later.

Korean can be useful professionally as Japanese can be useful. But, that will be determined by the choices you make. For example, Korean can open doors if you know where to market the fact you speak that language. That is the key here with any language skill. Also, what culture do you find more interesting? That will have a great impact on your learning.

I agree that if you did not study Korean while in Korea it seems odd you want to do so now. Living in Korea you were in the best possible situation to learn a language: immersion.

Good luck.

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

What a cunty thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!