Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

I am approaching my 6th month in Busan and my job is going well. The only bad thing about my job is a return to a split-shift looming at the 7th month mark.

Anyway, my Korean language ability pretty much sucks. I can read Hangeul and probably have a vocabulary of about 50 words. I also know about 20 Hanja.

I have been finding it extremely difficult to motivate myself to study harder.

What are the practical benefits of learning more Korean? Is there more money in it? Will I be able to associate with a higher-class of Korean people? I may stay one more year after this contract, but if not then I am half-way through and see learning Korean as more and more of a chore.

This is defeatist whining I know, but please offer some sage advice all the same...

Thanks.

[krats1976]

IMO, the best reason to study Korean is to understand the bizarre turns of phrase that my students use. e.g. Why do they ask if a movie was fun? (Because in Korean 'fun' and 'interesting' are the same word)

It really depends on what you want from your life here. If you want to interect more with Koreans, it's helpful to study Korean. Even if you don't know enough to have a conversation in Korean, they will respect that you are making an effort to understand their language and, by extension, their culture.

Otherwise, why bother?

[Dugsby]

The easiest answer to "Why learn Korean?" is, of course, because you're living in Korea. Obviously it would be useful to be able to speak the language well because that would help you in all situations. It's like asking if learning English is useful in an English speaking country.

So the simple answer to your question is yes, learning Korean will help you in all ways in Korea. Ask the opposite --- why not learn Korean? There's no way learning Korean or any other language can hinder you, is there?

You can, however, get by without it. I do. I know many who do. I'm in the same boat as you, but I've been here for almost three years. I find I learn what I need as I need it. I can shop, eat, travel, etc. in this country without too many problems, but I can't say "Please heat up this hamburger, it's cold" and today that was a problem. I was able to get the point across eventually, but it would have nice to say it easily and be understood.

[stumptown]

Even if you learn some basic conversation, Koreans will be impressed that you actually care enough about their culture that you are willing to spend time studying their language. You may or may not know, but Koreans are extremely proud of their language and are amazed when foreigners can speak even a little. I've found that it opens many doors and if you even learn a little, they are always eager to help you learn more or help with your pronunciation. Studying it is one of the best things I've done since I've been here and it has enhanced and made my life so much easier here. Not to sound like I'm fluent (far from it) but I rarely encounter a problem that I can't eventually resolve.

[SPINOZA]

In my opinion you can't get by without it, but others differ. It depends what kind of person you are. Me, I'm embarrassed to walk up to a Korean person in a shop or what ever and speak to them in English. This is regardless of whether that person has any ability in English. I don't care if English is spoken widely in Seoul (which it isn't), I don't want to speak to them in English unless they insist on it or are better at English than I am in Korean. I find it disrespectful. If someone came up to an American, a Brit or what ever in our native countries and didn't know a lick of English and spoke in Korean, we'd think "learn some English", right? If you spend one year in a country, you need to learn the very basics. If you're going to France, learn a bit of French. Going to Italy? Learn some simple Italian phrases and numbers, enough to at least buy things or ask where something is or catch a train. Otherwise you just give natives the impression people from English-speaking countries are the arrogant, stupid buffoons everyone thinks we are anyway. If you're the type of person who's quite happy to just speak to Koreans in English in the naive belief that they can understand you or in the arrogant belief that they should be able to understand you even if they don't, then go ahead. The presence of tools like you makes me look better.

I wonder what percentage of people who've complained about 'xenophobia' on here never spoke any Korean to anyone. And I wonder what percentage of people who've complained about 'xenophobia' on here are the kinds of people who complain about things like there being two helpdesk telephone numbers, one in English one in Spanish.

People really respect you if you make a bit of an effort. And in my opinion it's fun and good for your brain.

[semphoon]

You live in Korea. What a fantastic opportunity you have to learn a language.... and some courtesy for your host country would also be nice.

I know people who have been here for years and still can not read the language. They think "hello" and "good-bye" are the same (an-yawng haseyo). When they call on the telephone they say "an-yawng haseyo."

Even, as an intellectual excercise you should learn...you are surrounded by Koreans...how long does it take until you can start understanding conversations about you?

When I am in stores and someone starts speaking to me in English, I like to return the effort and speak to them in Korean.

[semphoon]

[Homer]

What are the practical benefits of learning more Korean?


That really depends on you. Basic practical benefits would be better access to the culture and services. Easier time living here as you understand the place better. Being more autonomous in your activities. It may help you as a teacher. The list goes on depending on the person.

For some, like me, who are married, learning Korean had several other pratical benefits. For a short or mid-termer, I think the general benefits outlined above are pretty common.

Is there more money in it?

Once again that depends what you do with the new skill. There certainly has been more money for in it in my case (and that of a few others here). But, your main motivation in learning Korean (or another new language) has to be deeper than money (in my opinion).

Will I be able to associate with a higher-class of Korean people?

Weird question...

I may stay one more year after this contract, but if not then I am half-way through and see learning Korean as more and more of a chore.

Well there is your answer really. Many (most?) teachers here do not learn much Korean and that is their choice. I personally think living here for a few years and not learning the basics of Korean is strange but then again that is just my take on this issue. If you feel it is a chore or are looking for some financial equation where learning Korean = $$$ then you will most likely end up stalling in the learning process and, as you said, see it as a chore.

In the end, it remains a personal choice and if you chose not to learn it (or to learn it) no one can flame you for it.

[cypher]

For me, I think learning any language keeps my language-learning skills honed. Since I am here, it might as well be this language for now.

[Qinella]

[chessmaster9000]

lot of good looking korean women

[Css]

Being able to communicate with people around me is pretty good motivation for me..How can you have any kind of normal life here if you cant speak korean?

[chaz47]

Yeah, I have studied Hanja as estimates are that between 50 to 70% of the Korean vocabulary is Chinese in origin. My latest study method has been an attempt to learn Hangeul through Hanja but I see Hanja so rarely in my daily routine that it is becoming impractical.

I also viewed Hanja as a sort of survival skill in most of Asia because Chinese characters all over... I figured if I couldn't speak to natives at least I would be able to read some signs and deduce enough to get by... but yeah, as stated above... very little reinforcement for the Hanja.

I think I will realign my goals and learn Hangeul and then applicable Hanja.

My goal for the day was to learn 20 words, so far I can recognize 19 of those... now I will write and rewrite those and try to plug them into some semi-logical sentences tomorrow... hopefully this works.

[BrianInSuwon]

Your question, "Why learn the language?", is the first question anyone beginning to learn a new language should ask. There are many reasons to learn a second language and each one will influence how you study.

Reason 1: Learn Korean to read Korean literature.
Reason 2: ... to watch Korean movies.
Reason 3: ...to understand what the people around you are talking about.
Reason 4: ...to read the menu.
...5:...to learn effective teaching methods. The methods I use to learn Korean influence the methods I use to teach English.
...6:...to make teaching easier for you and the students. Teaching English to Koreans is so much easier if you can speak Korean.
...7...to be civil and polite. Its nice to greet your co-workers in the morning, to say thank you, and your welcome.

I don't think learning Korean will help you make more money. Unless you get a Masters in Korean and can translate official documents. Even then you'd be entering a rather competitive market.

I don't think learning Korean will help you make new friends or find a girlfriend. Could you imagine hanging out with Koreans that didn't speak English and all you could talk about is what you learned from a Level 1 or Level 2 language textbook. "This is a book. This is not a cat. How's the weather?, The bank is next to the post office., This is my mother, he is my brother."


Overall, I don't see a really good reason to learn Korean. If you really want to learn Korean, you will need to invest a lot of time. If you like to read, there are tons of books written in and translated into English. If you like watching movies, there are also tons of movies in English you can download. And you can watch Korean movies on DVDs with subtitles.

I do recommend learning how to sound out Korean words. That has definitely been useful in my experience. And buy a book on Korean food that is written in English. It should have the names of the dishes written in Korean and English. This will improve your "Korean Experience". Try as many different foods as you can.

Its human nature to choose the path of least resistance and maximum gain. Most teachers don't learn Korean because they don't need to learn Korean. I can drive my car, get gas, go grocery shopping, get to work, work, order at a restaurant, go to the movies, go shopping,...... without speaking Korean. Learning Korean is an investment of time. What is the return on your investment? That is why learning a foreign language is so hard. If you can truly identify a need for learning the language, you will learn the language.

[tomato]

Here is a thread on a similar theme:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?p=172965#172965