Korean Job Discussion Forums

[stickfigure]

Theres plently on Language programs on these forums but I have 2 questions that no ones seems to have answered.

1. I want to join the summer Program at Sogang but they tell me they only do level 1B for the summer and winter evening classes (1A is for fall and spring). I'm a complete beginner (I can read Hangul, write it badly and can't make full sentences when speaking) - so is the B level too advanced for me? Has anyone done A and B so that they can give an answer from experience?

2. No one seems to speak about the Ehwa program on these forums - has anyone done it? I think its up to 100k cheaper than the Sogang program, is it worth taking?

[nate1983]

I did one semester at Ewha a year ago. Started at level 6 but basically the whole course was focused on creating some student magazine, so switched to level 5, which was pretty good in terms of course content and balance between different aspects (speaking, grammar, listening, etc.). The text and other materials were pretty good, though sometimes I felt too much time was being wasted (wanted pretty intense instruction so I felt I was getting my money's worth). Overall though it was definitely a solid program and I'm sure the beginner levels are as well.

Atmosphere, though, there were NO other guys in levels 5 or 6, and I think only a few in the lower levels - it was mostly girls from like China and Japan, which obviously made it harder to relate to in some aspects (being the only guy and one of two westerners). I think a lot of that has to do with it being a girls' school. If you're a western guy, you would probably want to look into schools that have a more diverse mix of students - SNU, Yonsei come to mind, and I can't really comment on Sogang. If you're serious about learning Korean, I've seen the Yonsei books and they seem the best for the first couple levels. They also have a pretty sweet building with a cafeteria, and their location is much better than SNU's for most. I know it's more expensive, but it should be money well spent.

[mellow-d]

I have taken 1A and 1B and I wouldn't recommend skipping 1A. Everything is recycled throughout the program so a lot of the grammar concepts that you learned in 1A, you would find in 1B but without any explanations. I would suggest going to Kyobo or wherever and taking a look at the textbook/workbooks if you can. Some are in plastic but I think you can browse through the workbook and that should give you an idea.
Personally, I don't like the Sogang program because it's way too focussed on grammar and not on vocabulary. So basically, I know three ways to make a suggestion but I still don't know most of the words for animals, colours, items in a house/school...etc... Because I don't know a lot of vocabulary, I can barely speak to anyone casually which is more of what I'm looking for.

[spicy]

i'm in the ewha intensive program right now, and i pretty much agree with what was said earlier. there are a few guys in levels ahead of me (i think maybe 2 in level 5 and 1 in level 6), but other than that, it's pretty much all asian girls (predominantly japanese) in the upper levels.

lower levels are a bit more diverse, but nothing like one would be used to in a school in the US or canada.

i've heard from some friends at different universities around seoul that it's similar there, though, at least in terms of the distribution of which country students tend to come from.

the ewha program isn't bad (i only started from level 2 here, so i don't know about level 1), but i find it hasn't really stressed speaking as much as i would like it to. and you can't really have much of a conversation with "your average Joe Kim on the street" until at least mid-end level 2, and probably more into level 3.

my guess is it's like that pretty much everywhere though. everyone wants to talk to people, duhhh. it's a tough language, though, and it definitely does take a while to get the required basics down before you can even think about chatting with people. it's unfair to say "yeah, level 1 and level 2 suck because i still can't talk to people." i don't think anyone that's not japanese (or maybe chinese, though the language similarities are less prominent, aside from vocab) could hope to have a conversation above "how is the weather today? oh the weather is nice today. my family is 4 people. my family is a mother, father, and an older brother." for the first 4-5mo...

[chungbukdo]

I'm thinking about enrolling in the Ewha program mainly because they have slightly different dates than every other school. For example, they have a winter semester that starts around December 15th, which would allow me to basically finish the regular fall semester at another school I'm going to go to and then head there for the entire winter break.

The only problem is that I might have to start like a week late. I'm sure I could still enroll in that situation though couldn't I? Afterall, I'd be studying Korean during that time, just at a different university doing a regular semester schedule.

Isn't it good to study with non-English speakers? I just started studying at a Family Cultural Center in my small town and absolutely everyone who enrolled but me is a foreign woman, usually married to a farmer. I like that I have to communicate in Korean to them rather than English.

Ideally I'd go to Yonsei, especially if I could play on the Judo team, but their winter start and end dates don't fit with the regular Korean semester schedule.

[brento1138]

Hi! I took 1A (not actually at Sogang, was taught in Daegu, same course as Sogang though)

I found that 1A was absolutely invaluable. I learned the most in that particular class, and it made Korean fun! I wouldn't suggest missing it and skipping towards 1B. 1B was quite a bit harder for me.

So, just put in the time, do 1A, that's my advice.

[PigeonFart]

I agree with not skipping 1A, given your described language ability.

To settle this for sure, why not go to a bookshop and have a look at the 1A and 1B textbooks. This will give you an idea. If you find that the textbook is wrapped in plastic, try looking at the workbook. If that too is wrapped in plastic, go the library in the Korea Foundation Cultural Centre near City Hall.
You'll see all Sogang books on the shelf.

http://www.kfcenter.or.kr/english/intro/01.asp