So far my language learning so far has been different from how I have learned languages in the past. In the past when I learned languages, it was in a classroom setting with the teacher or professor helping us along and teaching us the proper way to say words and the grammar behind the language. However, in this language class, it seems as though I am completely on my own without any guidance. What I mean by that is that we do not have a teacher or a professor helping us with the language because we have not been assigned our language partners yet for Korean. Personally, when I’m learning a new language, I need someone who I can go to for guidance and ask certain questions, but since we have not been assigned our language partners, I have been relying on Google and Korean apps for assistance.
My relationship with understanding the target language has not changed since I started learning it, except now when I hear it, I instinctively start to translate in my head the few words that I do know. In this way, I find myself picking up the speed of the language and the way that the language flows, this is also what I observe when I watch Korean dramas. Although sometimes in the dramas some of the ways that words are said can be a bit dramatic and not realistic, i.e. you would not always pout if your boyfriend makes you upset and storm off. A few weeks ago, I celebrated Lunar New Year with my Chinese, which is also a holiday that is celebrated in many Asian cultures including Korea. Through many of my peers presentations on Lunar New Year in Korea, I had the chance to learn more about how Koreans celebrate Lunar New Year, such as the foods that they eat, the games that they play, and the traditions of greeting the elders, etc. This was different in some ways from how the Chinese celebrate, but in some cases, it was also similar.
In addition to my relationship to the Korean culture, I learned a lot more about filial piety and how it is greatly rooted in the Korean culture. Filial piety comes from Confucianism where one should respect their parents and care for them. It is based on obedience, honor, and duty to one’s family even as one gets older and leaves the house. In other words, everything that you do is a reflection of you and your family.
There is much that I need to improve on within learning the Korean language and my communication skills. I learn best through reading and writing, so writing words out over and over again can help me that way I can recognize them so I can use them to communicate with my peers. Also, speaking the language more to native speakers will help out a lot because I can practice more. The more that I speak the language, I think that more that I will become comfortable with it, that way I can get over the fear of messing up when I speak.
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