Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Troglodyte]

In Korea is it common for foreigners to exchange language classes with Koreans? In other words, I teach him English and he teaches me Korean.

I've done this a lot when I've lived in other countries. I tried this once in Korea. I had arranged to teach one of my co-workers at the hogwan that I was at, but it didn't really work out well because it tended to be more one-sided (I was doing most of the teaching). I was also discouraged by our boss from speaking Korean at the school (I think they felt that I'd eventually use it in the classroom as well) and I just got used to speaking English with my language partner because I spoke English with her at work and after work if everyone went out somewhere. So this time I'd prefer to just exchange lessons with someone that I don't work with.

How would I go about finding a language exchange partner? Would I put a classified ad in the newspaper? Is there a recommended paper for that? (I live in Bucheon.) Are there websites where people can post that kind of request/offer?

Any suggestions or info would be appreciated.

[fustiancorduroy]

To be the first to answer another one of your posts, yes, there is language exchange. Mind you, most people do language exchange under the guise of finding a date/sex partner, but there are some people out there serious about studying. Try looking on worknplay.co.kr for starters.

[mulligc3]

Try koreabrige classifieds.

http://koreabridge.net/classifieds?tid=205&tid_1=34
Enter your area, quite a few for Busan not sure about other places.

[nourozi]

www.conversationexchange.com

[UknowsI]

I've had a very good language exchange partner for a while now. It usually work like this: we meet once a week. First I ask all the questions/words/phrases I've been wondering about the last week and we practice how it works in a conversation. Then when I run out of questions I pick up my 서강 한국어 book and we do a couple of exercises from the book. And until next session I try to do the exercises in the work book. This takes about an hour and she has then prepared some articles in English and she reads the articles and we discuss them and she has prepared some questions.

This works very well for us. Because her English is much better than my Korean it's better to have the Korean part first because I will slide into English if I get tired. To be honest it feels like I get a real lesson while she just get English practice, but I think it's working for both of us. We also start with coffee and a snack so we're not studying on empty stomachs.

I think it has made it a lot easier for me that neither of us are doing it for dating. It might work for a short while, but I think it will mess it up after a little while if you are interested in each other.

[morrisonhotel]

[orosee]

[jiberish]

I think in most cases it will be more one sided because in most cases, they just want to learn for free. I mean a language exchange is bargain for the koreans. You could get a private korean tutor for 20,000 an hour but a foreign English tutor would be double or more an hour. However don't let this get you down, there are still plenty of people of are more than than willing to do a real exchange. The girl I work with always wants to teach me korean. I think it is so she can more easily complain about stuff. So just pick your partners wisely.

[lifeinkorea]

Chicks are an emotional wreck when they meet you. Not worth it.

[seonsengnimble]

You might also try Hana Club in Sinchon(near Hongdae). It's pretty much a language exchange club. They have a lot of parties and events on Saturdays I believe. You can meet people there and get together later for exchanges.

[edwardcatflap]

Yes I think if you look at Uknows' post it's how these things have to work to be a success, ie both partners have to be proactive. If your study partner comes with things they've prepared all well and good but if not you'll end up preparing both your Korean lesson and her/his English lesson. Either that or you'll both come with no preparation and end up wasting time

[redaxe]

[Forbidden Fruit]

Sorry OP if I'm hijacking the thread but I thought this would be a better idea than to make another one.

My korean friend is looking for a language exchange partner. I was asked for it but I can't spare time. She is nearly 100% fluent of an English speaker and wants to keep it up by practicing regularly so it won't be a hard work for you to help her with it. And she has helped an exchange student to study Korean language at Ewha.

Thanks to posters that informed several good sites above, I get to let her know thoes as well. If, however, there is anyone who wants to avoid the whole signing-up and writing in profile, etc. path, feel free PM me. ^^

[Yaya]

Just make sure you set the rules for language exchange. One hour of Korean for one hour of English or whatever language AND NOTHING MORE.

I used to do language exchanges and I had the partner bring papers to proofread and textbooks and stuff to follow. I got rid of those people fast.