In this language learning journal, I want to reflect on last month’s effort to learn basic Korean vocabulary related to food. Learning a new language is an exciting as well as challenging endeavor, and my focus on food-related vocabulary is a fundamental part of my journey into Korean culture and language.
My primary task has been to expand my Korean food vocabulary. This involves learning the names of various Korean dishes, ingredients, and common food-related expressions.
Here is the list of vocabulary that I tried to remember:
- 비빔밥 (Bibimbap) - Mixed Rice with Vegetables and Beef
- 불고기 (Bulgogi) - Marinated Grilled Beef
- 김치 (Kimchi) - Fermented Spicy Cabbage
- 된장찌개 (Doenjang Jjigae) - Soybean Paste Stew
- 떡볶이 (Tteokbokki) - Spicy Rice Cake
- 김밥 (Gimbap) - Rice Rolls with Vegetables and Meat
- 삼겹살 (Samgyeopsal) - Grilled Pork Belly
- 만두 (Mandu) - Korean Dumplings
- 짜장면 (Jjajangmyeon) - Black Bean Noodles
- 해물파전 (Haemul Pajeon) - Seafood Pancake
I aimed to build a solid foundation of Korean food-related vocabulary so that I can navigate Korean menus whenever I visit it again in the future, engage in conversations about food, and achive a deeper understanding of Korean food culture.
I am connecting with native Korean speakers who helped me a lot in expanding my vocabulary. Interacting with them has provided me with the opportunity to practice pronunciation. I also learned cultural nuances about food and received immediate feedback on my choices of words.
Flashcards: I've created digital flashcards with Korean food terms on one side and English translations on the other. This has been a valuable resource for active recall and retention. I nearly used it for every learning process, not only in language learning. And I would recommend this to my peers since it’s so helpful.
Regular conversations with native Korean speakers have allowed me to apply my vocabulary in daily situations. And these interactions have been invaluable in improving my speaking and listening skills.
To make the learning experience more immersive, I've tried cooking some Korean dishes. It deepens my understanding of the vocabulary. Also, I feel more connected with the cultural aspect of food as I am exchanging food with my friends while using Korean.
I've explored language learning apps that provide lessons specifically tailored to food-related vocabulary. These apps have quizzes, pronunciation exercises, and interactive lessons that reinforce my learning. They are recommended by my instructor.
I plan to continue expanding my food-related vocabulary and dive deeper into the cultural aspects of Korean cuisine. I definitely want to learn more about traditional dishes with regional specialties and dining etiquette. I'll also explore recipes and try my hand at preparing more Korean dishes.
Reflecting on my learning methods,, I've realized the importance of making learning fun and practical. Cooking Korean dishes, for example, not only enhances my vocabulary but also immerses me in the culture. I'll continue to incorporate real-life experiences and interactive methods into my language-learning journey.
One of my most successful experiences was ordering food in a Korean restaurant and engaging in a brief conversation with the waiter entirely in Korean. This small achievement boosted my confidence and validated my efforts.
There have been times when I struggled to remember basic food-related terms during conversations. These moments have reminded me of the importance of consistent practice and revision.
As I progress, I've adjusted my goals to include more complex food-related terms and a deeper exploration of regional cuisine. I've also set long-term goals to become more conversational in Korean and explore Korean food culture on a broader scale.
Comments
Learning the language through food items is a really interesting way to approach it. But I feel like it would be very effective because it's also fun. I'm also glad you mentioned food other than just 갈비 (galbi) and 김치 (kimchi) as there are dishes that hold more cultural history than just those 2. I implore you to try these dishes too and I hope you won't regret it either.