Korean Job Discussion Forums

Yesterday

Had a discussion with a korean co-teacher today regarding students using the word "so-so"...

I had asked a student "How was the test.. easy or hard"?

the students (like normal) answered... "so-so"

I explained to my Korean teacher how much I hate "korean students" using that word... as I never heard it spoken before in my home-country...

..........I didn't believe it was real English.......

........its kindoff a "konglish" term and an excuse to me - for students to give a lazy answer instead of answering properly in conversation.....

etc etc

My korean-coworker - believes it is English... and that it is an appropriate answer...

I realise over the years - this has been discussed many times...

but I would like a few suggestions from other teachers and perhaps even an alternative (but short) answer the student could have given instead of using the word "so-so" -

(so that I may further discuss it with my co-teacher tomorrow)....

thanks

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

I've heard it used many times in England.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

It is English and isn't really a sign of lazy English. It is just a conversation killer. When someone answers with such a non-committal answer, there is no where to go with the conversation. Not exactly an ideal outcome in a language class.

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

butlerian · Joined: 04 Sep 2006 Location: Korea

Of course it's English, as many people use it. Of course, it's not a good answer for extrapolation, but you can't say it's not English.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I'm going to agree with the OP partway that it is sort of like Konglish. Koreans use it all the time as a default answer, just like how we'd say "okay." I've had Koreans laugh at me before because I always answer "Not bad" when they ask how I am.

Qinella · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Location: the crib

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/so-so

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

It's English, but I don't like how Korean students use it as a get-out for having to describe further.

rothkowitz · Joined: 27 Apr 2006

Well,in Korean they'd just be answering 응 or not even asking such question.

It's certainly a conversation killer to me but it often also signals they just want to get the exchange out of the way.

It's also an annoyingly overused expression-rates up there with "talent","S-line" et al.

However when you ask them what they did at the weekend for example,then,yes,it does often sound pretty bloody so-so."Computer game"...Great.Thanks for that.It's like I might as well just give them colour coded flags to raise when I ask something.

God I wish I could have a student who'd get drunk on his father's booze and crash the family car.Anything.Please.

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Where are you from?
I'd never heard it at all before I came to Korea.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

So so is common from where I come from. I think the kids like it because they're really saying "cow cow".

Bigs · Joined: 15 Oct 2006

It's the stock reply when you ask for a college student's opinion on anything in China as well (in my experience...)

The Hierophant · Joined: 13 Sep 2005

Whenever a student replies to a 'how are you/how was it?' type question I just continue with the queries.

Me: "How was school today?"

Panicking student: "Uhhhh... So-so."

M: "Really? Why?"

PS: "Uhhh... Just because..."

*teacher suicide ensues*