Emily Kim posted a status
Feb 26
Monthly Language Learning Journal 2

In my Korean class, we focused on developing practical language skills for professional and business settings. The course emphasized how to communicate clearly and politely in Korean, especially in formal situations. Throughout the class, I learned that business communication in Korean follows a clear structure and requires careful attention to tone, hierarchy, and word choice.

One major topic we covered was business email writing. I learned that a formal email in Korean usually begins with a polite greeting such as “안녕하세요, ○○팀 ○○입니다,” which clearly introduces the sender and their team. After the greeting, it is important to state the purpose of the email directly, using expressions like “관련하여 연락드립니다.” I practiced making requests politely with phrases such as “확인 부탁드립니다” and “전달드립니다,” and I learned to close emails respectfully with “감사합니다.” Through writing request emails and responding to messages, I became more aware of how structured Korean business emails are. Compared to English emails, Korean emails seem more formulaic and emphasize respect and clarity. Even small differences in phrasing can change the level of politeness, so paying attention to detail is very important.

In addition to writing, we practiced speaking formally in meetings. We learned useful expressions for participating in discussions, such as “의견 있습니다” to share an opinion and “제가 정리해보면…” to summarize ideas. I also found phrases like “추가로 말씀드리면” and “질문 하나 드려도 될까요?” very helpful because they allow me to speak naturally while remaining respectful. Through role-play activities, we simulated team meetings and practiced giving updates on projects. These exercises helped me become more comfortable speaking Korean in front of others and organizing my thoughts clearly. Speaking formally requires correct sentence endings and appropriate vocabulary, so repeated practice was essential for building confidence.
Another important part of the class was learning how to read and write report-style documents. We studied grammar patterns commonly used in formal writing, such as “-에 따라,” “-을 바탕으로,” and “-에 대한.” These expressions are frequently found in reports and professional documents. We also learned vocabulary related to progress and planning, including “진행 상황” and “향후 계획.” Practicing these structures helped me understand how information is logically organized in Korean business writing.

Additionally, we read many real company documents and discussed what to focus on when analyzing them. For example, I read a document from PwC Korea and shared their key insights regarding sustainability this year. This activity was especially meaningful because it connected classroom learning with real-world business communication. By reading authentic materials, I improved my comprehension skills and learned how companies present their strategies and priorities in a formal tone.

Overall, this Korean class has significantly strengthened my professional communication skills. I feel more confident writing emails, participating in meetings, and understanding business reports in Korean. The practical focus of the course has made me more prepared to use Korean effectively in a future workplace environment.

You need to be a member of The SDLAP Ning to add comments!

Join The SDLAP Ning