Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Foreigners should avoid making comparisons with their native countries. Western logic does not necessarily play an important role in business decisions, indeed considerations based upon the mood are often the deciding factor. Koreans have a relatively good command of the English language. A foreign business person should nevertheless anticipate that not all of what is communicated may actually be understood. Hence it might be necessary for the foreigner to emphasize and repeat key phrases. It might be even advisable to bring an interpreter to the negotiating table. Korean and English are the principal languages.
Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry
http://www.kgcci.com/home/AboutKorea/Inhalt/AboutKorea.htm

[jajdude]

Hmm? What does this mean? They've just been pretending not to know English all this time?

[gomurr]

If anything a non-english speaking countries ability to converse in the English language should be compared to that of the Philippines. Most Filipinos are not fluent english speakers, after all it's often their 3rd language, but can at least be understood. I tend to compare the English level of Koreans to that of the many Filipinos I have met and found Koreans wanting in language skills.

[Real Reality]

Are you packing your bags?

[mb2086]

Like most countries, the only people who have what I would regard as a good command of English are those that have been well educated or who have lived in an English speaking country or are in contact with English speakers every day, or have been taught it from a very early age due to colonial reasons (e.g. Hong Kong). In Asia that excludes most of the population.

[paul]

It all depends on what is perceived to be a "good command" of English. For example, if a person is speaking to me and English is not their first language, then I admire that person for his or her ability to understand me and be able to at least get their point across or ask that all important question and understand the answer.

The reason I say this is because I know what it's like learning Chinese and Korean.

However, ESL teachers are a tad jaded with all of the ESL we have to put up with, so for some reason, even if we meet a person who can converse well in English, we judge them harshly and too quickly. We'll walk away saying: "His articles need work..." or "his verb tense is pretty rough..." or whatever the case might be.

I know this may sound over simplified, but if someone can understand me without saying "what" or looking at me funny every time I say something, and I can do likewise with them, then I feel they have a "good command" of the English language.

Afer all, it is not their first language and I give them brownie points for having the ability to communicate in more than one language.

Does that make sense?

[mb2086]

I totally agree. Good post.

[peppermint]

Definitely, I'm always pleasantly surprised when someone speaks English to me, when they're working in a job that doesn't seem to call for it. I make it a point to compliment such people when I do find it.

The thing is, Korea is way behind when it comes to having English speakers in positions that do call for it. I've taught lots of adults who say "I'm Engurishee teacher." and giggle shyly, never mind the businessmen who try to go from zero to fluent in a month because they've got a client coming in from America. In one case, the security guard of the company spoke better than the president.


I wonder if this is a uniquely English phenomenon?

[jajdude]

I'll disagree with you a bit there Paul. I don't judge harshly. I consider any English from unexpected sources to be a bonus. A few years in Korea, I don't expect much, but get a little English, mainly wherever they are used to foreigners. I think mainly more people can speak a little but just aren't used to doing so.

However, a statement like "Koreans have a fairly good command of the English language" is nonsense. Korea ranks below over 100 other countries in English ability according to some other newspaper poll. That hardly counts as a "good command." Taiwan, about the same. Still it is hard, just like it is for us.

[Harin]

Are you guys fluent in any language? You all must have studied something back in HS or college. Come on, learning a foreign language is hard work. It also takes more determination to keep up your fluency.

I think it is great that Korean people are life-long learners and always want to improve their English skill. It just amazes me. Their motivation may not be always pure, but who cares! They are still trying their hardest.

[Real Reality]

Harin wrote,
"I think it is great that Korean people are life-long learners and always want to improve their English skill."

Yes, life-long leaners are great. Aren't people from other countries life-long learners?

When do most Koreans start learning English? How many years do Koreans study English?

Consider what Peppermint wrote,
"The thing is, Korea is way behind when it comes to having English speakers in positions that do call for it. I've taught lots of adults who say "I'm Engurishee teacher." and giggle shyly, never mind the businessmen who try to go from zero to fluent in a month because they've got a client coming in from America. In one case, the security guard of the company spoke better than the president."

Consider what the EFL-Law-Guy wrote,
"Last Friday I visited the Labor Office at Yeonje Gu, by City Hall. This is the HQ. I simply wanted to collect some books they have printed in English for foreigners. Well much to my surprise, and despite a trip through many offices, and discussions with many LO staff, (in Korean) no one there speaks English."
http://www.koreabridge.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4006
(This happened in Busan. What is the population of Busan?)