Korean Job Discussion Forums

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

I miss learning. And I am $40,000 in debt.
Does anybody know about any free/cheap classes in Seoul? Dancing, art, language, really anything. I'd love to take a class and learn a new skill while I'm here. I guess this would also have to be classes for foreigners/in English.
I'd love to hear any ideas you have/things you've tried/stuff you've heard about and haven't tried.
Thanks so much!

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

I used to attend free (well, they accept 1000 won donations to cover photocopying costs) Korean classes near Sookmyung Womens University (line 4) not far from Itaewon. Here's a link to a nice article on it:

http://www.korea.net/news/news/newsview.asp?serial_no=20070427024

When I was there they had 4 or 5 levels, and they (mostly young women volunteers) liked to introduce foreigners to Korean culture....

JeannieAbroad · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

Thanks Rteacher! I just checked out the site and am going tomorrow to check it out! Nice to see positive people on this site!

-Newbie

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

Thank you, Rteacher! I've only heard about really expensive Korean classes, so that's really exciting news and I'll be checking it out!

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

Wow, I went to that class today and it was packed with people! I wonder how many new people showed up because they just read this thread...

Anyway, I hope some other people can drop some ideas for other classes. There's got to be something else out there!

dubulicious · Joined: 14 Oct 2006 Location: near Itaewon, Seoul

I think there are free salsa classes at a bar in Itaewon. Anyone know?
There is a free meditation class in Insadong- but it's only free one time. I haven't gone but I did inquire about it. Send me a pm with your e-mail and I'll forward the info.

ghost · Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Location: Many congenial places

I study there as well as taking a morning class at the Korean Language Academy - and the morning class, I have to pay for (130.000 won a month for 4 Saturday 3 hour classes).

The free class is not bad, but of course, with 25 people in the class or more, there is no individualized attention given - teacher just reads stuff in Korean and we repeat. She also talks a lot in English, which I don't think is a good idea.

In my morning (paid class) at Korean Language Academy - the Korean teachers speak no English - it is all in Korean - which can be tough at times, but I think, long term, the payoff is greater with the latter system.

By the end of the day - my head is spinning, from exposure to Korean for 4.5 hours - but my basic aim is to get a lot of exposure to the language. I am an auditory learner rather than visual/analytical learner.

Ghost in Korea

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Well, I hadn't been to those Korean classes in nearly three years - they used to be fun ...

Here's a link to Groove Magazine's listing of various clubs around Seoul:
http://www.mygrooveonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=63&Itemid=143

falldownstumble · Joined: 24 Mar 2007 Location: Seoul

No worries, Rteacher, it was still fun, and I'll be going back!
Thanks for your help!

JeannieAbroad · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

I went to the free class tonight, too! It was great. I met some cool people and am going again next weekend. Hopefully the Korean will start to sink in!

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

been a while. anyone taking any free classes of any kind anywhere? or doing anything free?
i just found that korea foundation shows free movies nearly every saturday.

http://www.kfcenter.or.kr/

wanderingsalsero · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Location: Houston, TX.

I just stumbled upon this post about someone looking for free or cheap dancing classes. That would be me.

I'll be starting something I'm calling 'Latin Dance Crash Course' on July 4th, in SW Seoul (easy to get to).

Yeah, I'm a teacher but I do this just for fun and I have a studio owner friend who gives me some space very reasonably, so....

I decided to try out the idea of a 2 hour cram course that would give beginners the very basic skills they need to do all the major latin dances....i.e. salsa (on2 style), bachata, cha-cha and Kizomba.

It's easily affordable and very cheap for what they'll be getting. More info can be had at : http://meetup.com/latindancecrashcourse .

Regards,
Art

WTP Trust · Joined: 13 May 2010 Location: Hittin' the books at Yonsei

phiell · Joined: 13 Mar 2011

"Lean On Me" is offering a 5-week course rotation called "Korean For Dummies" (teaching conversation, reading, and writing) for basic and intermediate levels. The class meets every Saturday at Daechi-dong, Seoul at 1pm. Anyone interested in taking the class can sign up at www.facebook.com/LeanOnMeKorea. The registration/material fee is 10,000 Won. You can also call Shinhae at 010-4236-8663 or email at [email protected]

�Lean On Me� is an organization aimed at helping foreigners adjust to life in Korea. They offer various services through their Open Houses several times a year as well as offer helpful tips through the website.