Reflection Paper #2:
This semester has been a very valuable experience for me as I got to learn more Korean as a language and I was also able to learn more about Korean culture. This experience helped me think more about the cultural aspects of Korean and how they relate to its language, and the things we see in everyday life and in media. I think that I realized that perseverance is very important when learning a language. Even when you think you understand and get the majority of a concept, it is important to keep going until you are 100% sure that you understand something fully. Early in the semester, I realized that I learn best through active engagement, like speaking with partners, listening to authentic materials, and practicing small writing exercises, rather than just memorizing vocabulary lists. I also discovered that mistakes are not failures but essential parts of the learning process. Over time, I became more comfortable trying new expressions, even if I wasn’t completely sure of them.
One difficulty I faced was mastering Korean honorifics. Honorifics are deeply tied to social relationships, and choosing the right level of politeness in conversation required careful attention. I also struggled with remembering specific topic-related vocabulary, or jargon, when discussing more specialized subjects. While basic conversation came more easily, speaking about particular areas like food culture, traditions, or historical topics required much more intentional vocabulary building.
I also really enjoyed learning about the cultural context behind the language. Readings like Figuring Foreigners Out and Hofstede’s dimensions of culture made me think more deeply about Korean cultural values like collectivism, respect for hierarchy, and indirect communication styles. Watching the video When Languages Die also made me appreciate the importance of preserving languages and cultural identities. Learning Korean wasn't just about vocabulary and grammar—it was also about understanding how language reflects deeper values and perspectives.
Going forward, I plan to continue my learning by integrating Korean into my daily life. I want to maintain a habit of listening to Korean podcasts and songs, using language exchange apps, and journaling a few sentences each day. I also hope to find a weekly conversation partner to keep practicing speaking. Over time, I aim to move from beginner-level conversations into discussing more complex topics like current events or personal opinions.
Among the readings and activities, the most useful ones were the articles on learner autonomy and the task-based learning strategies. Early readings like How to Successfully Learn a Language This Year and the FIRE model helped me build a sustainable plan and understand my learning style. In terms of activities, creating a self-directed learning plan and presenting it to classmates was very beneficial—it helped me organize my goals realistically and think carefully about how to use my study time effectively.
In the future, I would love to learn more about Korean dialects and regional variations. Standard Korean is taught in most materials, but I’m curious about how people speak differently in Busan, Jeju, or Gyeongsang regions. Overall, this semester gave me a strong foundation and made me excited to continue exploring the Korean language and culture beyond the classroom.
This semester has been a very valuable experience for me as I got to learn more Korean as a language and I was also able to learn more about Korean culture. This experience helped me think more about the cultural aspects of Korean and how they relate to its language, and the things we see in everyday life and in media. I think that I realized that perseverance is very important when learning a language. Even when you think you understand and get the majority of a concept, it is important to keep going until you are 100% sure that you understand something fully. Early in the semester, I realized that I learn best through active engagement, like speaking with partners, listening to authentic materials, and practicing small writing exercises, rather than just memorizing vocabulary lists. I also discovered that mistakes are not failures but essential parts of the learning process. Over time, I became more comfortable trying new expressions, even if I wasn’t completely sure of them.
One difficulty I faced was mastering Korean honorifics. Honorifics are deeply tied to social relationships, and choosing the right level of politeness in conversation required careful attention. I also struggled with remembering specific topic-related vocabulary, or jargon, when discussing more specialized subjects. While basic conversation came more easily, speaking about particular areas like food culture, traditions, or historical topics required much more intentional vocabulary building.
I also really enjoyed learning about the cultural context behind the language. Readings like Figuring Foreigners Out and Hofstede’s dimensions of culture made me think more deeply about Korean cultural values like collectivism, respect for hierarchy, and indirect communication styles. Watching the video When Languages Die also made me appreciate the importance of preserving languages and cultural identities. Learning Korean wasn't just about vocabulary and grammar—it was also about understanding how language reflects deeper values and perspectives.
Going forward, I plan to continue my learning by integrating Korean into my daily life. I want to maintain a habit of listening to Korean podcasts and songs, using language exchange apps, and journaling a few sentences each day. I also hope to find a weekly conversation partner to keep practicing speaking. Over time, I aim to move from beginner-level conversations into discussing more complex topics like current events or personal opinions.
Among the readings and activities, the most useful ones were the articles on learner autonomy and the task-based learning strategies. Early readings like How to Successfully Learn a Language This Year and the FIRE model helped me build a sustainable plan and understand my learning style. In terms of activities, creating a self-directed learning plan and presenting it to classmates was very beneficial—it helped me organize my goals realistically and think carefully about how to use my study time effectively.
In the future, I would love to learn more about Korean dialects and regional variations. Standard Korean is taught in most materials, but I’m curious about how people speak differently in Busan, Jeju, or Gyeongsang regions. Overall, this semester gave me a strong foundation and made me excited to continue exploring the Korean language and culture beyond the classroom.
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