At the beginning of the semester, I was identified by the Learning Style Test as a visual learner in which it suggests me to learn language by using symbols, graphs and charts. Thus, I have been using software such as memrise and byki where they have pictures for each vocabulary aside to assist learning. I discovered that it is most useful to learn a language through consistent listening and pronouncing. I have enjoyed learning Korean from the language partner Sun. She is extremely helpful in the way that she makes recording for each lesson so that we can practice and correct our pronunciation after class. Language partner is also a great resource to have when we encounter grammar questions. Sun would clarify our questions in the plainest language in which saves us the trouble to go through grammar book or search online for explanation. This self-study class has also allowed us the freedom to learn what interest us and learn the most useful phrases.
I have enjoyed watching Korean movies and dramas to learn the language as well as the culture. We watched a Korean criminal film with Sun and it was very helpful to have her pointed out some useful phrases in the movie and explain Korean movies. I also watched a Chinese reality show where three Chinese celebrity couples toured around Korea, which improved my knowledge of some of the Korean places to visit and food to eat. I believe watching television shows and movies can greatly facilitate and boost up interest in the language learning. For the cultural presentation, I was able to choose the topic of Korean drama, where I got to watch the drama “My Love from the Star,” which better helped me understand Korean culture and generate my interest to learn Korean as well as the theme song.
I have difficulty in pronouncing some Korean characters because my tongue has not been used to pronounce some characters especially with a “r/l” sound. I also have difficulty in memorize sequential words such as numbers. Thus, I need to continue to practice pronunciation and make myself use to the shape of the tongue.
In my original learning plan, I wrote that I want to focus on oral conversations, along with basic alphabet and reading because I believe oral conversations are the most useful thing to learn. Yet, I believe learning basic characters can help me learn Korean in a more systematic way because when there are overlapping characters for some words, I can remind myself of the character that I’ve learned and only have to learn the unrecognized counterparts. Overall, I think I have succeeded at focusing on my goals. However, there are a few topics I have not yet explored, such as asking directions and discussing weathers.
In the future I will continue to learn Korean by using memrise software, listening to Tuneln radio, and watch Korean drama and movies. I would like to explore topics that I have not yet learned, such as direction and weather, and I want to learn more about shopping and ordering food. In addition, I would like to learn more useful phrases, grammar and writing in Korean. This self-study language learning has greatly advanced my ability of self-studying, especially in making feasible plans, writing reflections on the things I learned, exploring culture of the target language. Those skills will benefit me in the future no matter whether I am learning a new language or acquiring a new skill-set. Additionally, the SDLC 105 class has been a wonderful supplement to my language learning because I am more motivated when I am surrounded with other language learners.
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