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Help me choose a Korean language course
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crazy_arcade



Joined: 05 Nov 2006

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:34 pm    Post subject: Help me choose a Korean language course Reply with quote

I'm looking to study Korean two or three times a week in the evenings.

So far I'm looking at Sogang, Yonsei, and SNU. I know sogang quite well and have studied with one of their books in the past (unfortunately their M, W, F) schedule doesn't fit me that well.

Does anyone have any experience with Yonsei or SNU? Both of their schedules suit me more.

What about any language academies that offer evening courses? I've heard a horror story about YBM. I'm looking at one: www.http:///ltrc.co.kr
What else?

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Chris Kwon



Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Location: North Korea

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm attending SNU next month, as well as going to free Korean classes once at week at the Korean Foundation Cultural Center.

I know SNU offers night classes and I think Sogang does as well.

If you have any questions about my application process or whatever let me know.
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CGully



Joined: 23 Aug 2005

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I attend the Yonsei KLI evening program, I'm currently in level 4 of 8. It's grammar intensive, and the teaching takes a very traditional Korean approach, so lots of technical knowledge and not a lot of speaking practice. Although it's been working really well for me, lots of other foreigners say it doesn't suit our western learning methods.

I've heard good things about Sogang, but apparently they don't offer evening classes past the first level? That's an unconfirmed rumour though, so don't quote me on it.

If you have any questions about Yonsei, feel free to PM me.

- CGully
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justin moffatt



Joined: 29 Aug 2006

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am unsure what level of Korean you would be assessed at. However, I strongly suggest to DO NOT go to Yonsei University KLI, especially if you are beginner. The program structure is horrible (writing based, no conversation practice, very traditional: repeat, dictation, grammar with no english explanations). Furthermore, there are NO refunds after one week, and only 70% refund even after one class! There are virtually no western foreigners there (except Korean Americans).
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Mebertz



Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Location: Suncheon

PostPosted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rosetta Stone is an expensive computer-based course, but one may do an online version for 3 months at $109 or 6 months at $169. It may be better than the traditional, Korean methos. In fact, it IS better if one has a little self-discipline.

Mike
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CGully



Joined: 23 Aug 2005

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Although the above criticisms of the KLI program are somewhat justified, the statement that there are virtually no westerners in the program is false. That may be the case for the regular day program, but the evening program has many Canadians, Americans, and Europeans. Although my current class is only 5 students, it's 2 Canadian teachers, 1 American soldier, and one Chinese.

Again I'll say the learning style is perhaps antiquated, but it works very well for certain people (myself being one of them). It just requires extra practice outside class. I once heard someone say that a Sogang graduate can speak to anyone on the street but can't read a newspaper. A KLI graduate has a hard time on the street, but can read newspapers and novels. I'd rather be able to read and understand, and then gradually improve my speaking with that solid base of grammar. But that's just me.

- CGully
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justin moffatt



Joined: 29 Aug 2006

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mike:

Do you have a website for that Rosetta Stone computer course?

CGully: Granted, my observation is based on the morning and afternoon programs.

I just can't wait for my program at KLI to end so I can attend Sogang or SNU. Crying or Very sad
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Mebertz



Joined: 16 Dec 2007
Location: Suncheon

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It is Rosettastone.com

Select language and learning options. You'll find it easily.

Mike
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Intrepid



Joined: 13 May 2004
Location: Yongin

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:18 am    Post subject: Konkuk U. Reply with quote

Konkuk University language institute has one of the cheapest programs in Seoul, and it's pretty good. About 1 million won for ten weeks, four hours per day 9-1. Conversation and vocabulary based. Beginner levels start low and have actual non-Korean, non-NE Asian people (many south Asians, actually--it's more affordable to in-coming D-visa people).
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crazylemongirl



Joined: 23 Mar 2003
Location: almost there...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've done the SNU course and really enjoyed it. My only criticism would be that they didn't have any higher level classes.
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crazy_arcade



Joined: 05 Nov 2006

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

crazylemongirl wrote:
I've done the SNU course and really enjoyed it. My only criticism would be that they didn't have any higher level classes.


I think I saw that they offer 4 levels at their main institute and 2 at their gangnam offshoot.

What level did you take and what levels did they have?
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moff12



Joined: 30 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Does the Rosetta Stone just have level 1?

Last summer when I tried to register for evening classes at Sogang they said they only had the beginner level, however if you could get a group together they might put on a higher class.

I went to YBM in Jongno last year, I think I will enrol again - it's not great but it's near my house, quite cheap, and you can just pay by the month.

Here's the site:
http://kli.ybmedu.com/hakwon/kli/int_academy_eng.asp

If you live in the south, KOTRA (Yangjae) have free classes twice a week. They are geared towards professionals so I think they focus on speaking mainly.

One more thing, has anybody taken the B-Topik exam?
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Chris Kwon



Joined: 23 Jan 2008
Location: North Korea

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mebertz wrote:
Rosetta Stone is an expensive computer-based course, but one may do an online version for 3 months at $109 or 6 months at $169. It may be better than the traditional, Korean methos. In fact, it IS better if one has a little self-discipline.

Mike

Not its not, Rosetta stone is straight garbage. Worthless.

If you want to know how to say pointless things, then yes get rosetta stone. If you don't want to learn to read hangeul, then yes buy rosetta. If you want 0 explanations on things, then buy Rosetta.
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Lekker



Joined: 09 Feb 2008
Location: Seoul

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why pay for an online Rosetta Stone course in Korean when you can download the entire software in its entirety, for free?

You can download deluxe packages with every language Rosetta Stone offers courses in.

Rosetta Stone works better with teaching the basics in a language that uses Roman characters in their alphabets, such as German, French, Spanish, Dutch, etc.,.

With Korean, Japanese, Farsi, Russian, Chinese, etc., it is not so efficient.
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Toon Army



Joined: 12 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

justin moffatt wrote:
I am unsure what level of Korean you would be assessed at. However, I strongly suggest to DO NOT go to Yonsei University KLI, especially if you are beginner. The program structure is horrible (writing based, no conversation practice, very traditional: repeat, dictation, grammar with no english explanations). Furthermore, there are NO refunds after one week, and only 70% refund even after one class! There are virtually no western foreigners there (except Korean Americans).


exactly. Only do the Yonsei course if you like grammar and old style teaching methods (boring,repetitive drilling). Sogang is more conversation focused.....at least the day classes are. Not sure how the evening classes are.
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