Showing posts with label Learning Korean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Learning Korean. Show all posts

Thursday, 27 December 2018

Learning korean

The Korean language is spoken by more than 70 million people, primarily in North and South Korea. There are a number of native Korean language speakers in several countries, including the United States Australia, Canada, and Japan. The Korean language is made up of an alphabet of 28 characters that have been in used for hundreds of years. These characters are in no way similar the western alphabet that makes up the English, French, Spanish, and other languages. This can prove to be intimidating for someone interested in learning the Korean language. If you are a soldier, a diplomat, or just someone planning a trip to South Korea, learning the language will help you to break down cultural and communication barriers.

There are several ways you can learn the Korean language, to varying degrees. If you study Korean at a college or University, you will receive an intensive education on the alphabet, reading, writing, and speaking the language that will give you a leg up on communicating with Korean citizens and work associates. If you are planning a career in as a United States diplomat, for example, there is a chance that your job will take you to Korea. Being able to communicate with native Koreans will help you make the most of your job and experience in a new land. You will be a better representative of your country if you are able to demonstrate your willingness to learn the indigenous language. Your cultural sensitivity will be appreciated. Also, if you plan to be a teacher of English as a second language, being fluent in Korean will make your experience living there more pleasant. As an instructor of English, you will be teaching Korean students, but you will also be learning from them.

Another way to learn the Korean language is by enrolling in one of many accelerated courses that are available through community colleges and even online. An accelerated course in Korean will provide you with a basic knowledge of the language, which will allow you to understand basic phrases, and ask basic questions. You will also be introduced to the Korean alphabet, which might seem daunting. There is language instruction available for purchase, as well. You do not learn the language by memorization. Rather, native Korean speakers provide real-life scenarios that provide you the opportunity to learn as you go, using voice technology over your computer. You get immediate feedback, which is a less stressful way for you to learn. When the learning process is less stressful, you are more apt to take the information in and retain, thus learning the Korean language with greater ease than you thought possible.

Whether you are interested in learning the Korean language for your own intellectual development and enjoyment, or you are inclined to do so for a job such a international diplomacy or teaching, learning to speak, read, and write Korean gives you the knowledge to communicate with people of a different culture, and if you are working abroad, helps you to have a less worrisome experience communicating with native Koreans. There is nothing more stressful than being unable to communicate with people while in a foreign country. Learning Korean will alleviate that stress, as well as make a good impression with your overseas associates. Learning the Korean language will enhance your travels and work experiences in that you will be appreciate the lives and culture of the Korean people, a people that seem mysterious to us. Learning a second language such as the Korean language is an intellectually and personally improving achievement that will provide many benefits to you professionally and intellectually.

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

New Language Book: 한국어 어휘 연습 ~ Korean Vocabulary Practice for Foreigners

I bought a new book last night.

한국어 어휘 연습 ~ 
Korean Vocabulary Practice for Foreigners (Intermediate Level).

 I bought it through a local foreigners Facebook group, Bundang Buy and Sell.  It is in immaculate condition - like new - and only cost me 7,000원 (About 4 pounds).

The book is published by Yonsei University and is a kind of  dictionary, with the words organised into categories. (oh yeah, a vocabulary book!) The first category is 사람 - People.

The words are listed with a translated meaning, a Usage example (of the word) - Noun, Adverb, an example expression and 2 example sentences.

You can view / download the first 5 pages from the first chapter >Here<

So you can check if you want to buy this book...
File Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1udXhC2Un3HakZEaVNMUGNyTXc/view?usp=sharing

Friday, 24 October 2014

Learning Korean - 비정상회담 - Korean TV Show

I had a great Korean class last night...   We decided to have a free talking lesson before starting the next chapter of the Essential Korean for Business use (Oh I started making a Memrise for this book - Any one else use it? - more on that later)

We talked about  비정상회담 - This is a Korean talk show and features some foreigners who are are pretty awesome at speaking korean - If you don't know about this show you can check it out on youTube here 비정상회담

The name of this show is quite interesting

정상회담 means Summit  and the shows set looks like an international summit and the "Foreigner" guests are all from different countries; Turkey, UK, USA, Australia, Africa - these guys have reached a celebrity status in Korea... because of their language ability.

The title of the show is a play on words adding 비  to the front, this is not a real word, but it makes the title mean "Normal persons summit' or 'abnormal summit'

- This show is actually a lot of fun.  See the video at the bottom of this post!!!

We talked about the show, TV shows and movies...

Phrases

매주 보는 것은 아니에요      I don't watch every week
매주 보지는 않아요               I don't watch every week
거의  ~ 않다                            rarely
example: 거의 콜라를 마시지 않아요  I rarely drink cola


Vocabulary

잊어버리다             Forget
기억나다 (하다)     Remember
특히                         Rarely
인상깊었던             Impressive






Thursday, 16 October 2014

Memrize Sogang Korean study

I have re-started using Memrize to study vocabulary, there are already Memrize courses for Sogang 1b, 2a, and 2b.  If you don't know about memrise, you can check it out here.

I use the Andriod App on my Note 3, and it works really well.  I last used memrize about a year ago and gave up as it was too hard to type on my phone, within the time limit.  Problems were caused by both the text input on my phone and the app itself, oh and probably my lack of ability!

The website works in the previous way with the timed countdown to type the word, but the app now has several methods to input the word. One is to select the English translation form a list of options, the other is to read the English word / phrase and select groups of Korean characters to form the Korean word / phrase.

For example:

Memrise has allowed me, through its gamified learning environment, to learn 321 words and accumulate 168,448 points.  I have no idea what the points are for, or what they mean, but what I like about the Memrise environment is that it is very motivating, you want to remember the words and a sense of achievement is given when the you get it right.

I also have been continuing with my conversation classes and will post something about them, later!

Happy studying!

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Learning Korean - Key to Korean - 30 Day speaking Challenge

30 Day Speaking Challenge - Key to Korean

This is really intense and don't think it would work for me. They suggest on the site to take twice as long and just learn 12 words a day - which is more manageable... but I still think that learning unconnected vocabulary, is really hard to do... But that is just me! - Oh! and then there is the Grammar!  But it is interesting!  Here is an example and some links to the site and material...


Day 1 - Vocabulary

1 추측                        Guess, supposition
2 예상(하다/되다)    Expectation, conjecture
3 장                            Chapter
4 나타내다                Express
5 표현(하다/되다)    Express, expression
6 단계                        Step
7 관련(하다/되다)    Relation, be related to
8 조금씩                    Little by little
9 예문                        Example sentence
10 통하다                  Pass, lead to
11 정확하다              Be correct
12 바라다                  Wish, hope, want, desire
13 모양                      Shape, signs, indication
14 겉                          Surface
15 감정                      Emotion
16 상태                     Condition
17 혹은                     Or
18 느껴지다             Be felt
19 과거                     Past tense
20 젊다                     Be young
21 익숙해지다        Get skillful
22 따라서                Therefore
23 보기보다            Compared to how it looks
24 남방                    Shirt (or southern region)

Download Week 1 Chapter 1 as a .pdf

Click to view the Key to Korean website

Friday, 19 September 2014

오늘의 영국에서!

저는 영국인지만 한국에 살고있어요. 
오늘의 영국에서 중요한 정치적인 이벤트가 일어나고있어요. 
스코틀랜드 영국함께 하지않합니다. 
지금 스코틀랜드 명 투표를 합니다. 
스코틀랜드 투표 '예'으면 영국에 어떤 일이 일어날 것인?





Translation: 
Today in the UK!
I am British but live in South Korea.
 Today in the UK an important political event is happening.
 Scotland do not want to be together with the UK.
Scotland are voting now. 
What will happen in England if Scotland vote yes?

Thursday, 18 September 2014

오늘은 시작 기타는 배울거예요.

오늘은 시작 기타는 배울거예요. 조금 불안해한다 왜냐하면 악보읽을 수없는 도 악기를 연주 할 수 없습니다. 사실은 내가 어렸을 때 바이올린을 배우고. 하지만 바이올린을 연주 하지 잘 없습니다. 열심해는 기타를 연주 하고싶다. 요즘에 많이바쁜지만 재미있어요. 일정을 알려드립니다. 일요일 - 한국어 말하기 수업 있다. 화요일 - 비즈니스 한국어 말하기 수업 있다. 목요일 - 기타 수업 있다. 다음주에는 일요일에 또 다른 한국어 수업 시작 해요. 그럼 일요일 에는 한국어 수업이 두 개 있어요. 역시 우리아내가함게 공부해요.

Correction from RingLing
오늘 기타 배우기 시작했어요.
악기를 연주할 줄도 악보를 읽을 도 몰라서 조금 불안합니다
어렸을 적에 바이올린을 배웠습니다.
하지만 바이올린을 잘 연주하지 못합니다.
기타   은 마음이 큽니다.
요즘에 전 많이 지만 또 많이 재미있어요.
제 일정 이렇습니다.
일요일에는 말하기 수업 있습니다.
화요일에는 직업 한국어 말하기 수업 있습니다.
목요일에는 기타 수업이 있어요
다음주 일요일에 또 다른 한국어 수업을 듣기 시작해요.
렇게 되면 일요일에는 한국어 수업이 두 개 있게 됩니다.
 아내도  공부해요.






Translation: I start to learn guitar today. I'm a little nervous because I cannot play an instrument and also I cannot read sheet music. Actually, when I was a kid, I learnt the violin. But I cannot play the violin well. I am eager to play the guitar. These days, I'm busy, but its a lot of fun. I will tell you my schedule. Sunday - Korean speaking class. Tuesday - Korean speaking class business. Thursday - Guitar class. Next Sunday, I will start another Korean class. So I will have two Korean classes on Sundays. I also study with my wife.

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

감기에 걸렸어요! - I caught a cold!

감기에 걸렸어요! 
어제 저는 재채기를 시작 했 습니다. 
어제 밤에는 코 막혔습니다. 
그래서 몸이 좋지 않아요. 
감기약을 먹고, 잘 잤지만, 지금도 피곤해요. 

(See below for translation)


감기 걸렸어요?                           Did you catch a cold?

  • 네, 감기걸렸어요.                        Yes, I caught a cold
  •    네, 목이 너무 아파요.                  Yes, my throat is so sore.
  •       네, 머리가 너무 아파요.                 Yes, My head hurts so much 
  •        네, 코 막힘에요.                            Yes, My nose is blocked
  •           아니요, 난 괜찮아요!                    No, I'm okay


걸리다 = to catch (a disease) 

감기 = cold

목 = throat 
       목이 아파요 = I have a sore throat

코 = nose
       코 막힘에요 = Blocked nose

콧물 = nasal mucus
       콧물이 나오다 = to have a runny nose

열이 있다 = to have a fever
        열이 있어요 = I have a fever

재채기 = sneeze
       재채기가 나오다 = to have a fit of sneezing

아파요 = Hurt / Sick (아프다 = Sick Painful)

감기약 = Cold Medicine 
       감기약 먹었어요 = I took cold medicine  (먹다 = eat)

자다 = sleep
잘 잤아요 = Slept well (잘 = well, 잤다 = slept)

Translation: 

" I caught a cold! Yesterday, I started sneezing Last night my nose was blocked
So, I don't feel well
I took cold medicine, so I slept well, But, I still feel tired". 

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Bathroom Vocabulary

Bathroom Vocabulary list from Learning Korean is easy

핀셋Tweezers (Pronounced as: 핀섿)
욕조Bathtub (Pronounced as: 욕쪼)
수건걸이Towel rack (Pronounced as: 수건거리)
수건Towel
치약Toothpaste
칫솔Toothpaste (Pronounced as: 칟쏠)
변좌Toilet seat
화장지Toilet paper
변기Toilet
비누Soap
세면대Sink, basin
샤워 커튼Shower curtain
샤워실, 샤워기Shower
면도용 크림Shaving cream
전기면도기(electric) Shaver
샴푸Shampoo
면도날Razor blade
파우더Powder
플런저Plunger
향수Perfume
손톱줄Nail file (Pronounced as: 손톱쭐)
손톱깎이Nail clippers (Pronounced as: 손톱까끼)
구강 청결제Mouthwash
거울Mirror
화장Make-up
로션Lotion
헤어 드라이어Hair-dryer
솔빗Hair brush (Pronounced as: 솔빋)
치실Floss
컨디셔너Conditioner
Comb (Pronounced as: 빋)
목욕 수건Bath towel (Pronounced as: 모굑 수건)
화장복Bathrobe

Monday, 15 September 2014

Korean through English Book 2

My Sunday Korean class, starts a new term next week, and yesterday we had a pre-term enrollment type session. At the end of the last term there was only one student - 'me' and we started the Sogang 2b book.  I enjoyed studying the first chapter and worked quite hard studying the vocabulary and completing the extra work book tasks.  But the new term sees new students and a change of teachers, I have been moved to a new group with a new teacher, which will be a conversation class.  I don't mind as it will be good to have some conversation practise.

The conversation class will be based on a 'new' book Korean through English by Sang Oak lee.  i was surprised to see the book on the table as I have this book although I never studied it.  I bought this book about 10 years ago, when I got home and checked the book my which  has written some translations for me in it, so at some point I must have attempted to study it. I think it was too hard at the time.  Now, it seems okay - there are lots of new vocabulary and it will be interesting to see how the conversation class is formed out of the book's text.  I am going to need to study a lot before each class to try and keep up with it.

Here is the vocab from our first lesson (Next week)


And here is the text we will use, for the conversation class - The text is quite short, first i plan to read it until I understand it, and then memorize some of the sentences, then try to write my own opinion sentences.  Lots to do before Sunday!!!
There is an English translation, but I am trying to read it - YET!


I will post about the class and my own writing work later...

You can download all pages as a pdf > Korean Through English Book 2  Page 13 <

useful stationery!

I found this English vocabulary note book in Daiso at the weekend. I
am going to use it for korean vocabulary (of course)

You  write the word on the left side and the translation, meaning or example sentence on the right. you can the memorize the word and test your knowledge by covering either the word or description. ... Stationery is so cheap in korea, this cost 1,000원 (58p or $1).

Friday, 12 September 2014

주방 / 조리 Kitchen / Cooking Vocabulary

A vocabulary list for the kitchen / cooking from learning korean is easy

끓다To boil
Jar, bottle | It has other meanings too
굽다To grill meat, to roast, or to bake bread
Cup
요리Cookery, cooking
도마Cutting board
물병Jug
밀대Rolling pin
Sieve | Has other meanings
후라이팬Frying pan
쟁반Tray
컵받침Coaster
받침 접시Saucer
찻숟가락Teaspoon
찻주전자Teapot
접시Plate
그릇Bowl
젓가락Chopsticks
숟가락Spoon
포크Fork
Knife
Kettle
소스Dressing, sauce
참기름Sesame oil
양념Seasoning, condiments, and spices
소금Salt
부엌Kitchen

Thursday, 4 September 2014

딱 걷기에 좋은 날씨 - Perfect walking weather

During my lunchtime walk today, I learned the expression "딱 걷기에 좋은 날씨".
Which means "Perfect Walking Weather"

At first I was quite confused as I misheard 딱 걷기 as 닭고기 (Chicken) Good weather 
- Oh how they laughed (at my expense (not really - just a bit)) 

But it seemed logical to me as on the first and last day of summer Korean people eat Chicken soup Samgyetang (See picture) so it kind of made sense that on a day like today "오늘은 날씨가 엄청 좋다!" ("Today the weather is really Good") that chicken would be involved somewhere...


So I got the expression explained and broken down for me...

Vocabulary

딱 = Perfect 걷기에 = Walking 좋은 = Good 날씨 = Weather

So "딱" - is a really useful word which can kind of be translated to 'perfectly'/'Properly'/'Suitably'


So I was advised to add this to the beginning other sentences/expressions

"딱 좋아!" = Perfectly Good!

And So on... which is 딱 좋아!

Monday, 7 April 2014

오늘 공부 - 네 쓰기

I wrote the test and got corrections through www.lingring.net ... 
네 쓰기
지난 토요일에는 우리 회사에서 마라톤 있어요.  
나 가 우리아들하비 함께 5km 달리다. 
너무 재미 있었다. 
하비는 경쟁력 소년 깨달았다.   
다른 소년 과거으면  하비 열심 달리다. 
우리가 우승하지 않았더라도 재미. 
다음에년 다시 갈거에요!

수정 숙제
지난 토요일에는 우리 회사에서 마라톤 대회가 있어요.
나는 내 아들 하비와 함께 5km 달리다.
너무 재미 있었다. 
하비는 경쟁심이 강한 소년이라는 것을 깨달았다.
다른 소년이 앞에 있으면 하비는 열심히 달렸다.
우리가 우승하지 않았더라도 재미있다. 
내년에 다시 갈거에요!

Thursday, 6 March 2014

I had a spare 10 mins after lunch so I tried to study from a grammar book called "Essential Grammar for Korean as a Second language" - Here is what I studied.

A. Inflect the following verbs as indicated: 

i. 가다 to go 

1) Honorific Head-Suffix (존칭 선행어미): -시- 
The head-suffix ‘시’ elevates the attitude towards the person whom you are talking about (typically the subject of the sentence). This is done independently of the attitude elevation towards the person whom you are talking to, which is typically done by the tail-suffix.

▶ 선생님이 지금 학교에 _____ + ______ + ________.
       stem honorific head-suffix normal closing tail-suffix [FP] 

 Answer
▷ 선생님이 지금 학교에  갑니다 
     Teacher is going to school now. 

verb: 가다  definition: 1. to go 2. to go, continue      type: regular verb
declarative present formal high: 갑니다
View all verb conjugations here > 가다 < (dongsa.net)

BUT:  According to the Grammar book note (above) the Honorific should be formed with '시'.
So, should it be '선생님이 지금 학교에가 십니다' ?
- To be honest I am confused - But pretty sure I am right!
                                                              

ii. 먹다 to eat 


2) Tense Head-Suffix (시제 선행어미): -는-, -았/었-, -였-, -더-, -겠- 
Tense Suffixes example 
Past (과거) -았/었-, -였-, -더- 우리는 어제 영화를 보았다.  We saw a movie yesterday. 
Present (현재) -ㄴ/는- * 나는 매일 많이 걷는다.  I walk a lot everyday. 
Future (미래) -겠- 나는 오늘 저녁에 숙제를 하겠다. I will do my homework this evening. 
* The present tense head-suffix is used only for verbs with some tail-suffixes such as 
‘-다’ (normal) or ‘-가’ (interrogative). 
For many other cases, the closing tail-suffix itself indicates the present 
unless there’s a past or future tense head-suffix attached.


 ▶ 아침에 밥을 많이 _____ + _____ + ________.
stem past-tense head-suffix normal closing tail-suffix [FP] 

 ▷ 아침에 밥을 많이 먹었어요. 
      I had a big breakfast this morning. 



verb: 먹다   definition: 1. to eat, to have, to take type: regular verb
declarative past informal high 먹었어요
View all verb conjugations here > 먹다 < (dongsa.net)
                                                               



Monday, 3 March 2014

Back to Basics with TTMIK

Not that I have enough time to study what I am studying now, but I have finally decided to give TTMIK a go, it comes highly recommended (on the Web), is free, and is really well thought out and planned.

I flicked through the lessons from levels 1,2,3 and found nothing that I didn't already know - trouble is my memory is so bad that I don't really know it completely, So I picked a random lesson from level 3 and I am probably going to start here.  I think this was one of the first phrases I learnt but when i thought of the responses :-

앞 [ap] = front
뒤 [dwi] = back
옆 [yeop] = side
위 [wi] = top
밑 [mit] = bottom

I couldn't remember back and side immediately so I chose to start here for now!




Thursday, 13 February 2014

Sogang 2A Chapter 6 p103 -으면 안되다

Sogang 2A Chapter 6 p103

SOGANG Level 2A

Chapter 6


Page 103 

-으면 안돼다

A 여기에서 전화 해돼요?
B 아니요, 여기에서 전화 하면 안되요.

2
A 수업 시간에서 물 마셔도 돼요?
B 네, 수업 시간에 마셔도 돼요.

3
A 수업 시간에 음식을 먹어도돼요?
B 아니요, 수업 시간에 먹으면 안 돼요.

4
수업 시간에 문자 메시지 보내 도 돼요?
B 아니요, 수업 시간에 보내면 안 돼요. 

5
A 음악 들어도 돼요?
B 아니요, 들으면 안 돼요.