I hoped to learn more grammar and also different cultural aspects of Korean. I think I was able to accomplish these learning goals over the past two weeks.
One activity that we did was talking about our weeks in Korean. This gave us the opportunity to practice some of the conjugating that we have learned in previous weeks. We spoke in very simple sentences but it was good practice. Professor Kim was also able to help us if we were having trouble forming the sentence or conjugating. It was a very helpful activity and I look forward to practicing my Korean outside of the classroom.
Another activity that we did was more practice conjugating verbs in the present tense, polite formal expression. As Professor Kim mentioned different verbs, we would conjugate them on the board. I was really happy that I was able to remember the grammar point we learned last week. I was able to conjugate the verbs on the board and the conjugations were becoming easier with more practice.
Other activities that we did involve learning about the culture. We learned about when to use certain conjugations. Respect is very important in Korean, so it was really helpful to learn when to use certain conjugations and gave me practical knowledge to keep in mind when speaking. We simulated certain scenarios, such as teacher and student, friend and friend, and talked about which conjugation of a verb we would use in that situation. I really liked this activity since it is something that I will have to keep in mind when speaking Korean to people outside the classroom. Another cultural topic we learned about was dating. Professor Kim asked us about the topics we were going to present on for our final presentation and gave us useful information about certain words and topics we can incorporate it in. Professor Kim introduced some new vocabulary words that have to do with dating, and words that are used among the younger generation of Koreans. She also introduced slang words that are commonly used. I thought this activity was very helpful, especially in preparing my final presentation.
I think my strategies have been effective so far. I think that I am slowly becoming more comfortable speaking Korean. I am a lot more comfortable and quick when it comes to short responses in Korean. I will practice my responses, even when people speak to me in English. My Korean speaking friends continue to be encouraging and supportive of my learning journey.
In order to build on what I’ve learned about Korean so far, I hope to learn more vocabulary, especially more verbs. Verbs are very useful and will help greatly expand my abilities to form simple sentences. Learning vocabulary is always important and is necessary if I want to continue progressing into the more complex parts about Korean grammar. I hope that I will have more opportunities to practice my Korean. Not only do I want my speaking skills to improve, but I also hope to continue working on my writing and reading skills. Keeping this in mind, I will seek more opportunities to practice my reading and writing, such as going to a Korean restaurant and trying to read the menu.
Comments
I love to hear that you have fluent friends who have been helpful and supportive. This semester I was lucky enough to meet a Israeli exchange student and she would teach me little words like butterfly or just take about what the culture of Israel was like. I think have friends fluent in the language makes it real and now just an abstract that you have to struggle through. It also fun to learn new ways to communicate with your friends also a private language of sorts.
I’m glad to read that your Korean studies have been going well! Talking about your weeks in Korean seems like a good idea because that is basic and practical vocabulary that you can use often. I know you are constantly trying to improve your language skills because you always speak to me in Korean, so keep up the good work!
That is a really cool idea about simulating certain scenarios to practice conjugation. I think Korean can be hard sometimes because the language can really change drastically depending on who you are talking to. In addition, I think writing letters to different types of people might also help because you have to write differently depending on the recipient as well.