Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tomato]

the first time I understood a store sign

the first time I understood a children's picture book

the first time I understood a children's song after reading the words

the first time I understood a children's song after listening to it

the first time I received and understood an e-mail message from a friend who does not know English

the first time I used a library computer by myself

the first time I surfed Korean Websites

the first time I wrote a message on a Korean message board

the first time I looked up an item in a Korean phone book

the first time I read the sign on the side of a city bus and confidently got on

speaking to a Korean deaf mute in Korean sign language getting a response in Korean sign language

attending Japanese class at a Korean foreign language �п�

helping a frightened child who got lost in our �п� and belonged in the �п� upstairs

hiring a moving company to move me from my last job to my present job

filling out an application for a library card

filling out a warranty card for an item which I had purchased

helping and guiding another foreigner who knows even less Korean than I do

figuring out the ���� ���б� word frequency list

overhearing two people on the street saying "��� ��?" "����."

handing the clerk the exact change after she said "�� �� õ �� ����."

Now watch Mithridates post a list which will put this list to shame.

[phaedrus]

I certainly don't know as much Korean as some do.

Being here three years, my level is actually a bit shameful.

However, the other day I had a great moment.

Two little girls said hello to me in English. I said hello back in English.

Then in Korean one asked, "Are you American?", and I said in Korean, "No, I'm from Canada."

Then they walked away. One turned around and yelled after me in Korean, "Sir!" (ajossi).

I turned and said, "Yes", and she says in Korean, "Do you understand Korean?"

[tomato]

Here are some accomplishments which I have yet to make:

reading a book intended for adults

understanding a Korean movie

understanding a movie in a third language with Korean subtitles

talking on the telephone

attending classes in any subject other than a third language

dating a girl who doesn't know English

receiving a dinner invitation from a family which does not know English

having a conversation deeper than the do-you-like-kimchi level

[ryleeys]

The first time I made a simple sentence using �� or �� and �� or �� and the copula, �̿���.

[skinhead]

[prosodic]

[chiaa]

I was working at this Hagwon and they had some crazy book that they used which had different conversations. I would go through the conversations with them and would read the Korean translations there as well. One time I was reading and the sentence just flowed off my tongue like I was born here. A hush fell over the class and then they erupted into applause.

Now if I just can repeat that on a daily basis.


http://www.whatthebook.com

[Mashimaro]

my proudest moment so far.
-Ringing up and getting the internet hooked up using only korean.
-sending and receiving text messages with my korean friends.
-Going on a date and using only korean (even if I didn't understand a hell of a lot that she said!)

[rapier]

After two years, I've finally perfected my pronunciation of kham-sa-mni-da!!!

[Son Deureo!]

Understanding the signs on the shops and bars after learning to read hangeul.

Figuring out how to order in restaurants without using pantomime.

Figuring out how to use all the features on my Korean-menu cellphone with a dictionary.

Having a successful conversation with my girlfriend's mother. Especially difficult since she speaks a southern dialect.

Sing in Korean in a noraebang.

Translating the occasional Korean newspaper or magazine article for this board.

Translating a patent application for a GPS based shipping container tracking system into English.

Finishing my first comic book in Korean. (��������, try it Tomato, I think you'll like it, and I think you can handle it.)

Finishing reading my first novel in Korean. (�츮���� �ϱ׷��� ����, Our Twisted Hero by Yi Moon Yeol) It took me two and a half months to finish it, but it was a good read. (Try this one too, Tomato.)

Using hanja to communicate in China and Japan.

Making friends with my Japanese classmates, using only Korean.

Things I still can't do:

Hear the difference between �� and ��.

Follow TV, radio and movies, my listening is just too weak.

Pronounce Korean well enough to keep people from laughing. Goddam Koreans can be rude.

Feel confident when I speak Korean for the first time to a stranger.

Find the motivation to finish the hanja textbook I bought over a year ago.

Find the time and money to study at Sogang or Yonsei full time. I reeeeeeeaaaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy want to do this!

[discostar23]

My girlfriend is pretty proud of the fact now we can order pizza and chicken to our house.

[gang ah jee]

I was pretty pleased with myself when i first got food delivered to my house. was also very proud the first time i threatened someone.

[Mashimaro]

maintaining a meaningful relationship using 95% korean

[Saxiif]

Beginning to understand what my boss talks about on the phone

[casey's moon]

Being able to tell my husband that the Korean subtitle on a movie is wrong and what it should be instead!

But the best was 2 years ago when I really couldn't say much at all but had decent pronouciation. Asked a couple of girls in Korean where the bathhouse was, and their mouths dropped. One of them said, "�ѱ�����̿���?"

I should mention, I have light hair and blue eyes and a decidedly non-asian appearance.

I was proud.