Language Learning Journal #4
As the semester comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve gained through this class, not only in terms of language, but also cultural understanding, confidence, and sustainable study habits. Our sessions with Eunkyung (은경쌤) and Kate have remained productive, and we’ve used this time to think about how we will continue our Korean language journeys after the course ends.
One of the key things I’ve realized is how helpful it’s been to combine structured learning with real-world media. Watching and discussing Moving (무빙) has helped me practice listening comprehension, expand my vocabulary, and understand how native speakers use Korean in everyday contexts. As we watched the final episodes, our discussions centered around the deeper messages of the show such as the theme of enduring hardship to grow stronger, as symbolized by the line about needing to fall many times in order to fly higher. We also talked about the portrayal of parental love in Korean culture, how it differs from Western expressions of love, and how it shows up in language, like through honorifics or actions rather than direct words. These conversations added variety to our weekly topics and challenged me to use Korean in more thoughtful and emotional ways.
In addition to cultural and thematic discussions, we’ve continued our spelling lessons through the end of the semester. Some of the more recent spelling challenges we reviewed included word endings such as “-스럽다” versus “-같다” when describing qualities or impressions (e.g., “자신감스럽다” vs. “자신감이 있는 것 같다”), and confusion between homophones like “일” (work) and “일” (day or number one), which must be distinguished by context. Keeping up with these lessons helped me become more confident in both my writing and reading accuracy.
Looking ahead, I’ve been thinking seriously about how I can maintain and grow my Korean skills beyond this class. I plan to continue keeping a language journal, where I reflect on new vocabulary, grammar, or expressions I encounter. I also want to keep using dramas, movies, and interviews as tools to practice listening and speaking in natural settings. I’ve found that hearing conversational Korean, even just 10–15 minutes a day, makes a big difference in maintaining my fluency.
I’m also excited to share that I’ll be traveling to Korea this summer. This opportunity will allow me to apply what I’ve learned in a real-world setting, especially in speaking and reading. I hope to grow more comfortable with casual conversation, improve my reading fluency in places like restaurants and public transportation, and build the confidence to engage in deeper interactions with locals.
Overall, this class has been a valuable way to stay connected to Korean while managing my other academic responsibilities. Its flexible structure made it easier to integrate into my weekly schedule, and the freedom to choose discussion topics made the learning feel personal and engaging. As we wrap up the final episode of Moving, I feel proud of the progress I’ve made and hopeful about continuing this journey, both on my own academic journey and in the Korean-speaking world.
As the semester comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve gained through this class, not only in terms of language, but also cultural understanding, confidence, and sustainable study habits. Our sessions with Eunkyung (은경쌤) and Kate have remained productive, and we’ve used this time to think about how we will continue our Korean language journeys after the course ends.
One of the key things I’ve realized is how helpful it’s been to combine structured learning with real-world media. Watching and discussing Moving (무빙) has helped me practice listening comprehension, expand my vocabulary, and understand how native speakers use Korean in everyday contexts. As we watched the final episodes, our discussions centered around the deeper messages of the show such as the theme of enduring hardship to grow stronger, as symbolized by the line about needing to fall many times in order to fly higher. We also talked about the portrayal of parental love in Korean culture, how it differs from Western expressions of love, and how it shows up in language, like through honorifics or actions rather than direct words. These conversations added variety to our weekly topics and challenged me to use Korean in more thoughtful and emotional ways.
In addition to cultural and thematic discussions, we’ve continued our spelling lessons through the end of the semester. Some of the more recent spelling challenges we reviewed included word endings such as “-스럽다” versus “-같다” when describing qualities or impressions (e.g., “자신감스럽다” vs. “자신감이 있는 것 같다”), and confusion between homophones like “일” (work) and “일” (day or number one), which must be distinguished by context. Keeping up with these lessons helped me become more confident in both my writing and reading accuracy.
Looking ahead, I’ve been thinking seriously about how I can maintain and grow my Korean skills beyond this class. I plan to continue keeping a language journal, where I reflect on new vocabulary, grammar, or expressions I encounter. I also want to keep using dramas, movies, and interviews as tools to practice listening and speaking in natural settings. I’ve found that hearing conversational Korean, even just 10–15 minutes a day, makes a big difference in maintaining my fluency.
I’m also excited to share that I’ll be traveling to Korea this summer. This opportunity will allow me to apply what I’ve learned in a real-world setting, especially in speaking and reading. I hope to grow more comfortable with casual conversation, improve my reading fluency in places like restaurants and public transportation, and build the confidence to engage in deeper interactions with locals.
Overall, this class has been a valuable way to stay connected to Korean while managing my other academic responsibilities. Its flexible structure made it easier to integrate into my weekly schedule, and the freedom to choose discussion topics made the learning feel personal and engaging. As we wrap up the final episode of Moving, I feel proud of the progress I’ve made and hopeful about continuing this journey, both on my own academic journey and in the Korean-speaking world.
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