Monthly Language Learning Journal (FEB 23 - 110 POST)
This month, my primary focus has been on learning to read Korean more fluently, with an emphasis on compound characters. In Korean, compound characters are formed by combining two consonants or vowels to create a new sound. For example, the combination of ㅂ (b/p) and ㅣ (i) creates the syllable 비 (bi), meaning "rain." To improve my reading speed and accuracy, I have been practicing reading words and sentences that contain these compound characters, allowing me to familiarize myself with their pronunciation and meaning in different contexts. My goal for this month was to master the pronunciation and recognition of compound characters, enabling me to read simple texts without constantly referring to a pronunciation guide. I wanted to reach a point where I could comfortably read children's books or short articles with minimal difficulty. Additionally, I aimed to expand my vocabulary by learning new words that incorporate these compound characters, reinforcing my understanding of their usage in different words and phrases. To support my progress, I have been working closely with my language partner, Isaac. During our sessions, we focused on reading exercises featuring compound characters, where I received immediate feedback on my pronunciation and comprehension. One challenge I encountered was distinguishing between ㅈ (j) and ㅊ (ch) when combined with vowels, such as in 자 (ja) and 차 (cha). My language partner explained that ㅊ has a stronger, aspirated sound compared to the softer ㅈ, which helped me refine my pronunciation. Hearing these subtle distinctions and practicing them in real-time significantly improved my ability to differentiate between similar-sounding characters. Duolingo has also been a key help. During the days I can not meet with Isaac, or spend less time with him I try to do a little work on my own through the app. Getting in more practice/repetitions has definitely helped the overall learning process. Overall, the strategies we’ve implemented seem to be working well. Moving forward, I intend to build upon what I have learned by expanding my reading materials to include more complex texts such as short stories. While I will continue practicing compound characters, I also plan to integrate more vocabulary-building exercises into my studies. By focusing on learning new words that contain the compound characters I have already mastered, I can further solidify my reading comprehension while broadening my vocabulary. Reflecting on my learning journey this month, I experienced a mix of frustration and accomplishment. At times, I felt overwhelmed by the number of compound characters I needed to memorize, but I also felt a great sense of achievement when I successfully read a sentence or understood a new word. The encouragement and feedback I’ve gotten has also played a crucial role in keeping me motivated and committed to my learning goals. Beyond the mechanics of reading, I discovered interesting connections between language and culture. Many Korean names incorporate compound characters, and learning to recognize them has given me a deeper appreciation of their meanings. Additionally, I found that compound characters are frequently used in Korean onomatopoeia, which adds a fun and culturally significant layer to my learning experience. These insights have made me even more curious about the ways in which language and culture intersect in Korean communication. Based on my experiences this month, I have revised my short-term goals to include more listening practice and vocabulary expansion. My long-term goal is also now more centered around reading and learning the culture. However, I now have a clearer understanding of the steps I need to take to reach that goal.
This month, my primary focus has been on learning to read Korean more fluently, with an emphasis on compound characters. In Korean, compound characters are formed by combining two consonants or vowels to create a new sound. For example, the combination of ㅂ (b/p) and ㅣ (i) creates the syllable 비 (bi), meaning "rain." To improve my reading speed and accuracy, I have been practicing reading words and sentences that contain these compound characters, allowing me to familiarize myself with their pronunciation and meaning in different contexts. My goal for this month was to master the pronunciation and recognition of compound characters, enabling me to read simple texts without constantly referring to a pronunciation guide. I wanted to reach a point where I could comfortably read children's books or short articles with minimal difficulty. Additionally, I aimed to expand my vocabulary by learning new words that incorporate these compound characters, reinforcing my understanding of their usage in different words and phrases. To support my progress, I have been working closely with my language partner, Isaac. During our sessions, we focused on reading exercises featuring compound characters, where I received immediate feedback on my pronunciation and comprehension. One challenge I encountered was distinguishing between ㅈ (j) and ㅊ (ch) when combined with vowels, such as in 자 (ja) and 차 (cha). My language partner explained that ㅊ has a stronger, aspirated sound compared to the softer ㅈ, which helped me refine my pronunciation. Hearing these subtle distinctions and practicing them in real-time significantly improved my ability to differentiate between similar-sounding characters. Duolingo has also been a key help. During the days I can not meet with Isaac, or spend less time with him I try to do a little work on my own through the app. Getting in more practice/repetitions has definitely helped the overall learning process. Overall, the strategies we’ve implemented seem to be working well. Moving forward, I intend to build upon what I have learned by expanding my reading materials to include more complex texts such as short stories. While I will continue practicing compound characters, I also plan to integrate more vocabulary-building exercises into my studies. By focusing on learning new words that contain the compound characters I have already mastered, I can further solidify my reading comprehension while broadening my vocabulary. Reflecting on my learning journey this month, I experienced a mix of frustration and accomplishment. At times, I felt overwhelmed by the number of compound characters I needed to memorize, but I also felt a great sense of achievement when I successfully read a sentence or understood a new word. The encouragement and feedback I’ve gotten has also played a crucial role in keeping me motivated and committed to my learning goals. Beyond the mechanics of reading, I discovered interesting connections between language and culture. Many Korean names incorporate compound characters, and learning to recognize them has given me a deeper appreciation of their meanings. Additionally, I found that compound characters are frequently used in Korean onomatopoeia, which adds a fun and culturally significant layer to my learning experience. These insights have made me even more curious about the ways in which language and culture intersect in Korean communication. Based on my experiences this month, I have revised my short-term goals to include more listening practice and vocabulary expansion. My long-term goal is also now more centered around reading and learning the culture. However, I now have a clearer understanding of the steps I need to take to reach that goal.
Comments
That was an excellent goal for this month. Specific, actionable, and undoubtedly meaningful. I also like how it had the unexpected benefit of helping you feel more confident in the Korean world being able to recognize the compound characters in personal and corporate names. I wonder what your goal is for next month. If you can keep it as specific, actionable, and meaningful as this month's, I think you'll be speaking like a native in no time!