Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Len8]

I'm trying to to think of questions I'd as Koreans as to why they're studying English. Anyone want to add to the list please do so

Are you studying English because you are interested in it?

Are you studying English because you need a high score on your national English Examination to get either a raise or a promotion at your place of employment?

Are you studying English because you have the ability to work as a well payed computer programmer in the U.S., but can't right now, because you don't have good English speaking skills ?

Are you studying English because you need to pass an English profficiency examination to do postgraduate studies in the U.S.A.,Canada,Australia,New Zealand or the United Kingdom.?

Are you studying English because you had a wonderful teacher when you were in highschool who motivated you and whose enthusiasim for the subject rubbed off on to you ?

Are you studying English now, because you are working in the city away from your family, and have nothing to do at nights.?

Are you studying English, because your friends are all involved in studying mathematics, art, music and other subjects at institutes after school. Do you want to be able to brag to them that you're learning something too.?

Are you studying English because you want to prove to yourself that you can learn the language. ?

Do you want to learn English, so you can be rude to native speakers and U.S. soldiers in your country?

Do you want to learn to speak English, because you want to embarass any Native English speaker you might have for a teacher?

Do you want to learn English so you can embarass your classmates when they make mistakes.?

Do you want to learn English so you can get more familiar with the culture of a particular English speaking country(the country in which you are living for example)?

Do you want to learn English because you need to speak another language besides your own to get a job as a stewardess with one of your national airlines.?

Do you want to learn English because you are interested in other teutonic languages such as Swedish, and Geman?

Do you want to learn English, because in this age of Globalisation it's the lingua franca and as such very important. All computer languages are written in English, most movies being from the U.S. are in English, and it's also the international buisness language?

Are you studying English, because you lived in an English speaking country as a child, and remember a lot of the language. You would like to keep it up, and not forget what you have learned.?

Are you studying English, because you have a gift for languages and would like to add one more to your repertoire ?

[gypsyfish]

Why not ask open ended questions, instead of yes/no questions? Don't spoon feed your students the answers.

[just because]

2 reasons
1. Their parents make them
2. The company makes them or they need a good score to get in the company.

Alright maybe 3
3. Some want to (the % is relatively small however, jst learning Enlgish for the pure enjoyment).

[lush72]

to meet a foreign girl/boyfriend?

Thats the case with 2 people (girls) I know.

[jajdude]

One guy, a university student, told me once that his main interest in taking English classes was to understand English-language movies better. Strange if that is the main reason, but that's what he said.

[dominic]

I didnt know they were learning any

[Medic]

Met someone who liked english pop songs and wanted to learn the language so she could belt out the songs in a norebong.

[Psy]

I believe the majority of people actually don't want to learn English. Many children forced by their parents. Teens taught in school, made to attend hagwons. Businesspeople taught and paid by their companies. However, when they reach a certain age, they learn the importance of the language. It never hurts to be bilingual. Enhance your Broca's and Wernicke's area.

[howie2424]

I asked this very question last year in a free talking session. One kid said he wanted to learn English because someday he wanted to live abroad. I proceeded to ask him where he was planning to live, to which he responded "France"

[FUBAR]

I had a few students who were new to town. They just studied English as a way to make some friends.

[Medic]

I was teaching night classes at a hogwan once and a few of the students said they were encouraged to attend by their university native English speaking teacher because it would be a good way for them to meet pretty girls and handsome guys.

I have come across the terms "Extrinsic motivation" and "Intrinsic motivation" as part of a study on why students want to learn English. "Extrinsic motivation" is the motivation behind adult learners who come to classes for reasons of their own. Seems like they would be a lot of the reasons listed in the original posting.

The "Intrinsic motivation" seems to be tied into what motivates students to learn who don't have any interest in learning. I initially assumed the term was connected to some intrinsic desire a student might have for wanting to learn any particular topic. Anyway it seems that intrinsic motivation is about what you can do in the classroom to create the right kind of mood to make bored, or uninterested students want to learn.

[Son Deureo!]

I think it's the other way around with intrinsic vs. extrinsic, i.e. intrinsic motivation means you study English because you like English, and extrinsic motivation means something outside of English makes you want to study it (your boss makes you, the teacher is hot, the teacher gives snack parties every weekend, etc.).

But I agree with you that it's up to us to sometimes give some extra incentive for them to want to be in the classroom. With luck, they might develop some interest in English in and of itself.

[coolsage]

Ooh, bitter, cynical. Some people study English for exactly the same reasons that other people study history or science or theology; to become good at it. No need for an ulterior motive, and yes, this is Korea, so why not cut the locals a bit of slack? There are honorable people here looking for a decent education, and if one happens to cross their path, then serve up the goods as well as you know how. It's good for you, for them, hell, for everyone. And have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

[Len8]

When it comes to getting Koreans to speak as opposed to attending a class just to learn to write and read, you end up intrinsically motivating extrinsically motivated students. They come to class, but are sometimes terrified to speak. Shame, and loss of face and all that. You have to create the right kind of non threatening environment so that they will forget their fears, inhibitions, and all of those experiences they had in their teens about the importance of being quiet in class or getting belted if you don't.

[stalinsdad]

I just force the buggers to speak, I make a point of picking on those most shy. This method seems to work but can be stressful, sure I get no brownie points but I consider my lessons a learning experience not just a filler. All of my students say that i"m excellent, positive and energetic, well they better do or i'll hit um one.