Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BrianInSuwon]

When I was trying to learn Korean I would watch Korean movies often. If I had English subtitles, I enjoyed the movie but I didn't learn any Korean. I was too busy reading and watching. However, watching a Korean movie with Korean subtitles did help. Having the subtitles allowed me to focus on the sounds and eventually, the conversations "slowed down". Instead of everything running together, it became easier to identify individual and separate words at normal speaking speed. And my pronunciation improved. Trying to watch a movie with no subtitles was way too hard for me, at my level.

I've actually had teachers ask for Korean subtitles when I play an English movie in class.

[Chris_Dixon]

ok....

[xCustomx]

This week and next I'm showing English movies with English subtitles. I don't think the students pay attention to the English if there are Korean subtitles. Even if they don't understand everything, it's still good reading and listening practice

[withnail]

I disagree. I think if the volume is up and they can hear the English clearly, the students can often pick up phrases in English while at the same time reading the Korean subtitle.

English subtitles are of course the best option when showing video unless the students really are of a very high level and can understand short clips without any assistance but I think sometimes using Korean subtitles for an English video clip can work.

You will never be able to convince Korean hagwon owners, principals or moms of that though.

Another method involving subtitles is when the clip is intended to provide the basis for a discussion or a writing task. As the students have almost fully understood the content of the clip, they can, with a little vocab pre-teaching, participate in useful discussions and write good paragraphs about it.

I did this in my hagwon until very recently with low level classes who couldn't keep up with English subs. Unfortunately my boss pulled the plug on that method but i know it worked well...

[Easter Clark]

Watching a movie in English with Korean subtitles is fantastic for learning new phrases. When we have movie week at school (after exams), I learn SO much vocabulary simply by watching and reading.

The same goes for watching a Korean movie with English subtitles.

I'd only recommend watching a move in L2 with L2 subtitles if you're Intermediate or above. Otherwise, it's an exercise in frustration because you lack the vocabulary to comprehend enough to learn anything new.