Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ashshea]

In July I'm moving to South Korea for the first time to teach English. I already can read hangul, so what other things should I be studying before I arrive? What sort of words/phrases will be the most useful? Should I be studying grammar or taking more of a phrasebook approach? Any advice would be appreciated.

[RMNC]

Left, Right, North East South West, That's OK, Thank You, Goodbye (staying) Goodbye (Leaving), Pretty/Cute,

"I am American"
"I am hungry"
"I like that/this"
"I understand"
"I don't understand"
"What is this/that"
"How much does this/that cost"

And a basic knowledge of the to be/to have forms of the verbs and maybe the past/future modifiers as well. Don't worry too much about grammar yet, just get a few phrases down. The best way to learn Korean is by -gasp- moving to Korea. I never understand why people want textbooks when they can just walk outside and learn anywhere.

[Slowmotion]

-How to tell time
-Get good at using numbers. Helpful for money
-Know how to count items and which number system to use:
http://www.koreanwikiproject.com/wiki/index.php?title=Counters

How to make basic sentences using
-Who (누구)
-What (뭐, 무슨)
-When (언제)
-Where (어디)
-Why (왜)
-How (어떻게)

[Zackback]

Where is the bathroom?
I love you.

[sadguy]

how to get home if you're in a taxi. basically say your destination plus "ka juseyo"

you should also learn how to say "that's okay/it's okay/ok" 괜찮아 i think thats how u spell it.

[morrisonhotel]

[ashshea]

Thanks, this is helpful for getting started.

[sadguy]

oops!

i make that mistake a lot. i remember my first year i bought a bike and rode on it everyday. i didn't know much korean but i'd try to learn from what i heard at school. when my students yelled 야! i thought it meant "hey, excuse me" so i'd yell YAH to people on the sidewalk who were in front of me. lol, i must've come off as a really rude jerk. really really rude jerk.

[chrisinkorea2011]

When you read the hangul you know the pronunciations correct? 같은 opposed to 같이 etc right? also i suggest listening to some korean language cds/watching dramas or shows on youtube just to get the hang of the language (not saying you will perfect it! lol)

I would say learn that "요" on a lot of sentences makes its respectful BUT learn the respect levels of basic sentences/answers for instance saying the word "yes" can be said any of these ways 어, 응, 예, 그래, 그럼, 네. lol

learn the 5w's like previous guy said.

sentence structure as well, particles too.

seems like a lot right? but with time u will begin to slowly pick up things.

and here is what previous poster said (il give u the korean for it lol)

"I am American" (나는) 미국사람입니다

"I am hungry" 배고프다/배고파

"I like that/this" (object/whatever it is) 좋아요

"I understand" 알았어요/알겠어요

"I don't understand" 몰라요

"What is this/that" 이것뭐야? /이것이뭐예요?

"How much does this/that cost 얼마에요?/얼마입니까?

oh and dont forget this too -> using 입니다 = I am/is etc
입니까 = question

hope i helped u lol

[nathanrutledge]

[chrisinkorea2011]

and DONT use 야 (yah) lol its not good manners although a lot of koreans use it towards each other sometimes friendly sometimes in a mean way.

id avoid it at least until you know when to use it if at all

[morrisonhotel]

[chrisinkorea2011]

[Ramen]

you should look up and learn all korean profanity. never know if they're cursing at you while smiling.

18?

[chrisinkorea2011]