Korean Job Discussion Forums

[postfundie]

Has anybody here taken Korean classes at YBM?

If so how did you feel about them? Too much writing for a conversation class?

Any classes with the Director? Short guy classes....

[xCustomx]

I took the class last December in Jongo and it was BORING! The teacher focused almost entirely on grammar and gave us little to no opportunity to talk in class. She also had a tendency to fill the class with busy work, ie. worksheets. The classes are fairly cheap, and if you want to improve upon your grammar I guess it would be a good place to go to, but if you're looking for more conversation/listening practice, avoid it

[LexLibra]

I took the classes, too, and I didn't think they were cheap! I paid I think 160,000 / month and that was just 1/2 since I worked for YBM at the time and got a big discount. Anyway, the classes were 3x / week and 2 hours long each class. It was killer! I just couldn't do it. And they place you in the lowest possible class group where the teacher holds up flash cards with basic Korean stuff on it like, "oo-yoo" and looks so impressed when you get it right. In short, I found it expensive, waaay too long in duration, and the class levels were assigned wrong. And yes, a lot of busy work and group work with a lot of time wasted. But that was at the YBM in Chongro-3-ga. Anyone taken lessond 'roud Sam-song dong? I've heard they're better, though I don't know at which institute...?

[xCustomx]

When I went last December it was about 200,000 if I can remember correctly, and that was for the class that met 3 times a week for 2 hours. I was placed into the level 3 class, which was a little high for me, but I managed to get by. I was kinda pissed that they wouldn't prorate the tuition since I joined 4 days late.

I may or may not try to join the Yeoksam location starting next month. I'm really gonna make an effort to go to SNU starting in March. YBM's tuition of 200,000 is much cheaper in comparison to the 1,300,000 -1,400,000 that most universities offer.

[SuperHero]

two years ago I took teh classes for two months. THey were the worst classes I have ever had and almost a complete waste of time.

[gang ah jee]

I used to work there and got the lessons half-price. I paid too much. You're much better off with self-study and some tolerant Korean friends than you are with the YBM lessons.

[Woland]

1 month of lessons, 9 years ago. Apparently things haven't improved.

[postfundie]

I've never been able to understand how a 'conversation' class can have so much time wrapped up in students quietly writing sentences...

[ajgeddes]

I take the classes in Jongno right now. I go 3 times a week for 2 hours and it only costs 110,000 won. As well, for the 2 hours, we basically just speak for 90% of it and usually do a little writing at the very end, maybe the last 10 minutes. We have lots of handouts, but just focus on speaking and usually we just leave them blank. I think it just depends upon the teacher. I really enjoy my class.

[postfundie]

could you describe your teacher's appearance...?? Also I don't think that it JUST depends on the teacher because almost everyone of those dang handouts is NOT conversation oriented..it's all about completing sentences or filling in sentences......

[ajgeddes]

[postfundie]

could you just give her surname then (I'd like to look into taking her class)....I'm just about sure it's not the teacher I had last time... and you are definately not using the standard handouts that most everybody else is using.

Sounds like you got a good set up going but I'd be damn willinger that it's inspite of YBM's current curriculum rather than because of it..

Ever had the director (short guy with classes)....???

[Hater Depot]

I took one Saturday class (level 5) as a tester. Mix of grammar worksheets and discussion of complicated words or concepts. Students had as much opportunity to speak as they wanted or could handle. Too bad their schedule didn't really fit mine. I also found it a bit expensive, but that's how the cookie crumbles after a certain point.

[ajgeddes]

The teacher's surname is 김 haha. I forget the rest of her name for now. The course is so cheap too, that's why I like it. 110,000 for 20 hours of instruction is damn cheap. The other two people in my class are great too, and we all get along and have a fun time with it. There is one Vietnamese girl and an English guy, and we are all the same age.

[gang ah jee]