Korean Job Discussion Forums

[BlaisePascal]

I'm still considering studying at Sogang's Korean language program. Let's say that I'm doing so right now in the summer quarter, starting at Level 1. (The summer quarter runs from 2006-06-07 Wed to 2006-08-24 Thu.)

1) When would be the absolute latest date that I could have allowed myself to travel to Korea? (I currently live in the US.) Assume that housing arrangements were taken care of before my arrival.

2) Can I get away with taking the placement test, if I want to start at Level 1? Embarrassing enough, I am ethnic Korean (my parents came to the US before I was born). I know very, very little of the language, just the alphabet and a handful of phrases. In fact, I know more of the language I studied in school (German) than I know Korean. If I don't have to take the placement test, does that affect the answer to #1?

3) Can I stay at the dorms at Sogang while I am there? (I know about the boarding houses, but I'm still curious about the dorms.) If the answer is yes, I assume that if I stayed at the dorms I would have a roommate?

4) In this thread, I said that I would study at a university in the US if Sogang doesn't work out. Well, let's say that I did, studying at Berkeley for two summers, taking their "Elementary Korean" and "Intermediate Korean" classes. And then let's say I was able to attend Sogang after those two summers. (At this point, I know that I would have to take the placement test.) What level do you think I would be placed in at Sogang? Level 3?


BP

[taobenli]

Hi, there-

I studied last summer at Sogang. Wow, it starts early this year. Last year I think it started 6-18, and I got there on 6-17 in the evening and stumbled to class the next day. That said, there were quite a few latecomers over the next few days, and one girl from Mongolia arrived 2 weeks late because of visa problems (she still went on to be the best in my class). I would just let them know you're going to be late ahead of time.

2) You could probably ask them to take the placement test if you want to- however, people going into level 1 don't have to. To be placed in level 2 I don't think a few phrases and the alphabet would cut it; you need to know quite a bit of grammar. The higher levels are arranged in A, B, C, and D sections, and there are slight differences in pace and supplementary materials between the sections- you might find out if level 1 is this way, too, and see if you could be placed on the fastest track.

-I never took a placement test, since I was coming from the US and arriving only a day before classes. With these students, Sogang gives you a call and you have to have a phone interview. I think this is BS, since it's very hard to judge someone's language ability over a long-distance phone connection.

3) I tried to stay in the dorms and was told that only regular international students (there for an academic year or more) could stay, not language program students. It's too bad, because the dorm was quite nice (they put me up there for a few nights while I found a room nearby). (I can give you the name of the goshiwon I stayed in- it was fairly reasonable and a 3 minute walk to classes). I do know one Singaporean student who fenagled a way to stay in the dorm with a Korean roomate, though I don't know how...

4) They might put you in 3, possibly 4 if you've learned a lot. My biggest complaints about Sogang, actually, was their placement system. I had been studying in the US for an intensive summer and one academic year, and they put me in level 2. After a few days I was bored out of my mind and made them put me in level 3 (it took quite a bit of arguing). I worked harder at this level and was much happier.

I really liked Sogang's program, overall, and hope I can go back for level 6 after another year of study in the U.S. at my grad program.

[Captain Corea]

Thanks for the information. I plan to go in January and this helps.

[Son Deureo!]

I studied at Sogang, but placed in at level 5 after living in Korea for over 3 years, so I'm not too familiar with what goes on at the lower levels, but I'll answer these questions as best I can.

[BlaisePascal]

Thanks for the info. Just to be clear, I would *want* to start at level 1, if I started at Sogang next summer. I was actually afraid that, with what I know, the Sogang people would be insane and place me into level 2, because I've read about people who were placed into the wrong level.

Another question:
5) Should I go the boarding house route, is it possible to find one that has high-speed internet?


Thanks,
BP

[taobenli]

Hi, again-

Just replied to your other post, and re-visited this one again.

The goshiwon I described to you in another thread does have high-speed internet- it's included in the rent (which varied from about $250-400 depending on the size of your room and whether you had your own bathroom or not). I was an idiot and didn't bring my laptop. But I used another student's computer in the goshiwon and the connection seemed pretty fast.

Regarding levels at Sogang, I would say attend the first day of whatever level they put you in. From your descriptions level 1 is where you should be placed. If they put you in 2 and it doesn't seem right, go and argue (politely, of course, but firmly) with them after the first or second class meeting and ask to be re-assesed or placed elsewhere. YOU are the one paying, right?

[Chamchiman]

[BlaisePascal]

(Reviving my own thread with more questions...)

6) Can someone living in Korea confirm the term dates for Summer 2007 @ Sogang? The website says Jun. 7 - Aug. 24, but I'm suspicious of this, because the dates are the same for Summer 2006, and I'm wondering if someone made a typing mistake. I've tried emailing Sogang, but no reply.

7) How early should I apply for the Summer 2007 session? How early should I apply for the C-3 visa?


BP

[BlaisePascal]

*bump* Anyone?


BP

[taobenli]

You don't need to apply too early. I think I applied in March or April to start studying in June, but you could give it more time if you're worried...

I would think that they probably haven't updated their website or decided on Summer 2007 dates yet. Keep trying to e-mail them, and I'm sure some one will get back to you eventually.

I came on just an automatic tourist visa from the U.S., so I can't answer your visa question.