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gruegoo
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
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 Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 2:11 pm Post subject: Best Korean Language Class for Gyopos? |
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It seems like a lot of Korean as a Foreign Language classes are meant for individuals who are beginners or have gone through the system step by step.
Unfortunately, none of them really appeal to me because my Korean level is kind of unbalanced. I can speak conversationally, and can understand the equivalent to about half of what is being said in the average Korean tv show (mostly they just talk too fast). Generally speaking I can get by in a conversation as long as the other person doesn't use big words or talks too fast. However, I have almost zero reading and writing skills. Also my grammar isn't too hot.
Consequently, all the classes seem either too easy or too hard for me based on their description. Parts look simple, but parts look too hard.
Any others run into this problem? Are there classes out there specifically for people in my predicament? (in Seoul)
Many thanks! |
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icicle
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Gyeonggi do Korea
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: Best Korean Language Class for Gyopos? |
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| gruegoo wrote: |
It seems like a lot of Korean as a Foreign Language classes are meant for individuals who are beginners or have gone through the system step by step.
......
Consequently, all the classes seem either too easy or too hard for me based on their description. Parts look simple, but parts look too hard.
Any others run into this problem? Are there classes out there specifically for people in my predicament? (in Seoul)
Many thanks! |
An option for you ... which is one which I am considering for myself so I can define what I need to learn first ... Is to have an individual 1 on 1 class (private class) in one of the companies which offer Korean classes. I was looking the other day to see if I could find a class that could work for me ... I am just out of Seoul and there are no classes in the town I am in and most of the companies I looked at also had an individual class option which gave you flexibility to arrange lesson time and content. I will probably end up taking this approach if I can't find a teacher at school who is prepared to teach me (with pay) .... If you had someone else who was at a similar level to you then the cost would also be reduced ... For me the price was high but reasonable for what I was going to get ... To me it was worth paying more than the normal class because I was going to get what I needed ...
Icicle |
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europe2seoul
Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Location: Seoul, Korea
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Best Korean Language Class for Gyopos? |
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| gruegoo wrote: |
It seems like a lot of Korean as a Foreign Language classes are meant for individuals who are beginners or have gone through the system step by step.
Unfortunately, none of them really appeal to me because my Korean level is kind of unbalanced. I can speak conversationally, and can understand the equivalent to about half of what is being said in the average Korean tv show (mostly they just talk too fast). Generally speaking I can get by in a conversation as long as the other person doesn't use big words or talks too fast. However, I have almost zero reading and writing skills. Also my grammar isn't too hot.
Consequently, all the classes seem either too easy or too hard for me based on their description. Parts look simple, but parts look too hard.
Any others run into this problem? Are there classes out there specifically for people in my predicament? (in Seoul)
Many thanks! |
1-on-1 class is aiight since in a larger group you will be bored. Since summer is coming - if this is a summer-time thing, then be prepared that most gyoppos come for summer vacation and just party.
If you are staying and commiting for a longer time - make friends with koreans and also find & date a korean. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Private 1 on 1 is the best way. That way you can focus on the areas you need more help in. |
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icicle
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
Location: Gyeonggi do Korea
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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For those people who have taken the Private 1-1 route to learning Korean ... How many lessons did you usually have in the week? Or wish you could have had? Is one lesson a week enough to make progress? ... or do you think more are needed? I would be happy to do some work out of class as well ... but really want to know how many lessons I should try to budget for each week .... I live out of Seoul in Gyeonggi but there is good transport into Seoul ... but I do need to factor the travelling involved into the equation.... I am interested in knowing what other people think about this ...
Icicle. |
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Ilsanman
Joined: 15 Aug 2003
Location: Bucheon, Korea
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 5:16 pm Post subject: yes |
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| However, if you decide to go through a university intensive program, Yonsei is the best for gyopos. |
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Ginormousaurus
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit
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| Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: Re: yes |
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| Ilsanman wrote: |
| However, if you decide to go through a university intensive program, Yonsei is the best for gyopos. |
I agree.
Yonsei focuses on grammar so you'll definitely improve in that area. However, when I studied level one there, there was a gyopo in the exact same situation as you. She spoke very well but didn't know how to read or write. Despite her being able to hold actual conversations with the teacher, they still placed her in level one. She sat in on the classes for about a week and then due to sheer boredom dropped out (understandably).
I don't know the going rate for a quality Korean tutor, but I imagine you could find one that could teach you for an hour or so a day, five days a week and it would cost less than an intensive uni course. If you happen to go this route and do find a good teacher, please let me know. I'll probably be looking for a tutor in a couple months after I graduate from Sogang. |
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seoulis
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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| Wondered what you went with in the end, gruegoo? |
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gruegoo
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Location: Toronto
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:36 am Post subject: |
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Still haven't decided...  |
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Toon Army
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:44 am Post subject: Re: yes |
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| Ginormousaurus wrote: |
| Ilsanman wrote: |
| However, if you decide to go through a university intensive program, Yonsei is the best for gyopos. |
I agree.
Yonsei focuses on grammar so you'll definitely improve in that area. However, when I studied level one there, there was a gyopo in the exact same situation as you. She spoke very well but didn't know how to read or write. Despite her being able to hold actual conversations with the teacher, they still placed her in level one. She sat in on the classes for about a week and then due to sheer boredom dropped out (understandably).
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I know some people at Sogang who were in level 2 and 3 for the speaking/reading/listening but they were allowed to do level 1 for the writing classes since they didn't know the grammar. I guess at Yonsei you can't do that(?)
Well anyway, Sogang beats Yonsei hands down IMO |
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Ryst Helmut
Joined: 26 Apr 2003
Location: In search of the elusive signature...
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:35 am Post subject: Re: Best Korean Language Class for Gyopos? |
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| gruegoo wrote: |
It seems like a lot of Korean as a Foreign Language classes are meant for individuals who are beginners or have gone through the system step by step.
Unfortunately, none of them really appeal to me because my Korean level is kind of unbalanced. I can speak conversationally, and can understand the equivalent to about half of what is being said in the average Korean tv show (mostly they just talk too fast). Generally speaking I can get by in a conversation as long as the other person doesn't use big words or talks too fast. However, I have almost zero reading and writing skills. Also my grammar isn't too hot.
Consequently, all the classes seem either too easy or too hard for me based on their description. Parts look simple, but parts look too hard.
Any others run into this problem? Are there classes out there specifically for people in my predicament? (in Seoul)
Many thanks! |
Although I am a cracker, I'll sport a reply. I, too, was/am unbalanced in my Korean skills when I attended a full-time Korean language study programme. You see, I did it bassackwards...I enrolled after living in Korea for 6 years! Anywho, when I took their entrance exam (ala TOEIC style...minus the listening) they put me in beginner level. When I arrived in class I was (nearly) immediately relocated into the 'high intermediate' level. I floated for a few days and then took it upon myself to get placed where I belonged.
So, after some chatting with the director I was placed in high intermediate /advance speaking/listening, but beginning/low intermediate grammar/reading writing. I was much happier with the outcome and was challenged appropriately.
Any help?
!shoosh,
Ryst |
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cookie7
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm in a similar situation too. I speak pretty fluently and I guess I'm at a intermediate level for grammar/reading. But usually if I take classes it's either too easy or too hard; never just right for gyopos. Anyone know about classes geared specifically for gypos? I actually heard from somewhere that there are classes for gyopos teachers that teach them to become bilingual enough for the specific purpose of training them to be teachers in Korea. |
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pkang0202
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:05 pm Post subject: |
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| cookie7 wrote: |
| I'm in a similar situation too. I speak pretty fluently and I guess I'm at a intermediate level for grammar/reading. But usually if I take classes it's either too easy or too hard; never just right for gyopos. Anyone know about classes geared specifically for gypos? I actually heard from somewhere that there are classes for gyopos teachers that teach them to become bilingual enough for the specific purpose of training them to be teachers in Korea. |
I think the best way for gyopos to learn Korean, is to get together with another gyopo who wants to learn. There are a few benefits to that:
1. Both are motivated to get better at the language.
2. Most gyopos are on the same level. Speak fluently, can read but have trouble writing and with reading comprehension.
3. Common background in Korea. You already know the generalities and the basics. You want focused learning on a specific area of the Korean language.
I'm a gyopo and I am looking for someone to study Korean with too. I have a couple textbooks and I took Korean school during my elementary/middle school days in the US. If anyone is interested in a study partner, I'm available. |
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cookie7
Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Location: Suji, Yongin
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="pkang0202"]I took Korean school during my elementary/middle school days in the US.[/quote]
HAHAHA. You went to those too? Gosh, I hated going soooo much... |
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seoulis
Joined: 29 May 2007
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| Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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Last edited by seoulis on Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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