I'm Starting To Learn How To Speak Korean, Difficult but Very Exciting
By Jellrey
@axlrate7 (1398)
Philippines
January 9, 2013 6:43am CST
I'm currently learning the Korean language right now and if your wondering why on earth I'm trying to acquire this language, that is because I just love the tone of how they spoke it and I also love their drama, I watched lot of it. It's kind of shallow reason but the thing is language is important tools for anyone, if you know how to speak Korean then you can able to understand them, you can speak with them, you can amaze any person who also want to learn the language and can be able to help them and be an inspiration to them. When you know many languages you also know what next to it, you have lot of opportunities to choose and enter, or you can also make your own program to help anyone across the globe to learn languages. I'm focusing now in English and Korean, but really my priority is English, I just add the Korean so that I can motivated myself to learn more and be more responsible in using time since I'm studying two languages now.
I'm searching some of materials and methods right now to aid me in how I can successfully learn the Korean language or how or where I can start learning it. To tell you the truth I have no idea how I can really start myself in learning Korean, I just start myself in reading some hello phrases this past week and other than that I don't know what to do next...
For all the people that is good in speaking Korean, I'm begging for your expertise and technique or method that you'd used, please help me. I'm really serious with this even though it is only for watching drama and K-pop, I'm dead serious to understand what they're talking without subs the way I'm understand English when I'm watching movies. God Bless to all... :)
1 person likes this
13 responses
@junerainemay (346)
• Philippines
9 Jan 13
I love Korean dramas. I watch a lot of it though I stopped watching for I think more than two years now. My schedule no longer allows me to waste my time watching these dramas. Anyway, learning a new language is always fun. I also want to learn Korean and you can count me in because those Korean dramas were the reason why I opted to enroll myself in Korean Language for my Elective Foregin Language subject back in college. Sad to say, I didn't have a good grasp of the language. The problem was with me that time. After hearing few words and learning Korean alphabets I suddenly lost my interest in the language. I even quite regretted why I took up Korean instead of Japanese.
Recently, when I was on my way to the airport to catch my flight, the cab driver told me he has been working in Korea for more than 4 years. He said the country is nice and he speaks Korean fluently. He's back in the country for good and drives taxi around the city to while away his time. We exchanged few coversation in Korean and it suddenly struck me that I still want to learn the language. If I could only go back to my college years, then I will surely attend my Korean class wholeheartedly. I have been skipping that subject when I lost interest learning it. Now, I'm also trying to find ways I can learn Korean.
Just a piece of advice, it's easier to learn a new language if you have someone to converse to. You might want to offer ESL service if you have ample spare time to Koreans. They gain something from you and you'll learn their language in exchange. Once you're good at conversing in Korean then you can learn how to write it next. :)
1 person likes this
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
9 Jan 13
Hi my fellow Korean drama lover, nice story you have there, I believe that it is never late to learn again, to continue things that's been interrupted from the past. If you really love experience more of the Korean language then start again to immerse yourself with it, we're still young and can able to do more things ahead of us. The regrets of past can be fix by what we are doing today so just continue to do what is necessary and what brings joy inside your heart, anyway I agree with your advice, I'd like to have someone I can converse with to practice with, I believe in this way I can boost my learning capability of Hangul, the problem is I don't know any. By the way, I'm just in the beginning stage of learning this language, I'm fluent in saying "annyeong ha saeyo", the first one that I've learned. There's some of phrases that I also learned yet but still confused of the system, mechanics and structure of Korean, this is where I'm stuck, need to search more and know thoroughly the way and how they using there language in everyday life just like how I'm using my native tongue.
I noticed in your response that you can speak Korean in a conversational level, I envious to the driver that can speak it fluently, how I wish that I can speak now the language... :D Back to your story, why you suddenly become uninterested with Korean and seen the Japanese more interesting instead? Did you just become lazy on that time or there another reason or story behind it?
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
It is a nice and refreshing experience to share stories with a taxi driver. I rarely do that because when I am inside a taxi I don't talk to the driver 
Anyway, the taxi driver is so lucky to have been to Korea and experience Korean life!
I love watching Korean movies and tv series as well. Isn't Seoul seem so wonderful! I like to go there too someday!
I studied Japanese before and I can write Hiragana and Katakana and some Kanjis but I am not yet ready to take the JLPT exam (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Japanese is also fun to learn!
Anyway, the taxi driver is so lucky to have been to Korea and experience Korean life!
I love watching Korean movies and tv series as well. Isn't Seoul seem so wonderful! I like to go there too someday!
I studied Japanese before and I can write Hiragana and Katakana and some Kanjis but I am not yet ready to take the JLPT exam (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Japanese is also fun to learn!@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
You know before I pick to learn Korean, the number one in the line the I'll learn to speak is Japanese, and the reason for it is the anime. I watched lot's of anime before, actually till today, and for you to know my favorite anime is "One Piece". Sometimes I hate to watch anime while reading subs because there's a time that I can't fully enjoy the action scene. And then suddenly I discovered Korean dramas and swayed with the unpredictable stories and anticipating episodes. That's why I decided to take Korean to the be the first in the line to learn before japanese.
And one more of my story, if you watched before the "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episode about two people in different social status meet in Seoul, the woman was "Rica Paralejo" an educated and rich; the guy was "Sanjo Marudo" the poor one, OFW, I can't remember the title of that episode but on that time while I'm watching that I thought that Seoul is the capital of China, hehehe (the word Korea is not existed yet in my mind)... back to the MMk, Rica there is kind of surly type of person, she's on vacation until she bumped into some Korean and this Korean didn't apologized and that's where Sanjo appear in the scene, helping Rica, but Rica insisted that she's okay not to bother Sanjo, in a "masungit" way... Well I can't forget that MMK episode because that's where I discover Seoul even though I thought it was in China at first... :D
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
I have read before that one of the signs that you are a kpop addict is you want to learn their language. I actually laugh when I read that few years back because I was really into that during that times. I have collections of Korean movies and dramas. I watched them everyday and repeatedly. I like their music as well. I started to be familiar with some words because of watching them repeatedly. I always turn the TV to KBS even though I don't understand them. It is a good thing that some programs have english subtitles. Then one time, I went to the bookstore and bought this Learn to Speak Korean book. Back then, I can already read and write Hangul as well but not that much. Then I got busy and forgot about this kpop thing for years and realized that I also forgot how to read and write Hangul. But I can still talk some Korean words and lines.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Yeah I think you're right, maybe I am an addict with it, I don't mind labeling myself with that, I'm enjoying watching their dramas because of their unpredictable twist of stories, their OST's, K-Pop specially T-ara, they're all pretty for me and very sexy when they dance(kind of sad because Hwoayong is not in that group anymore). I know what you're talking about when you get used to it because you persistently listening to the materials, I also noticed myself sometimes talking into the tone of Korean and unaware that I'm doing some expressions that I've got from the drama. By the way, why not learning it again? I think you have a passion for it, I also can read Hangul but I'm no better than a child when it comes to speed, very slow, there's also some letters that same in sound and become different when in different position, that's what makes me confuse right now. By the way, I'm encourage you to go back and continue learning it, you don't know, maybe it can help you in the future... Anyway God Bless you... :)
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
19 Jan 13
Good luck all of the Asian languages seem like they would be hard to learn, even though they say English is the hardest, it is hard to believe because we speak it every day.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
18 Feb 13
I think every languages have their own unique difficulties, but I believe that there's no language that is greater than other language. English was the first language that was introduced to me since I was a child but yet until today I can't master that language. I can speak it but not naturally like as you can hear from a native speaker. It's been a long time since I learned the basics, I'm stuck in basics, but I'm doing what I can now to proceed and acquire more of it, actually I add one and it's Korean, imagine that.
@wwjwcom (237)
• Hubei, China
20 Jan 13
English is not that difficult for me while French is different to pronounce for me.
@mukhlissa (57)
• Indonesia
10 Jan 13
May be it is like "Anyeonghaseo..." "Kamsahamida.."? I love korea from the music wave in genre Kpop especially by label SM entertainment
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Right, I love everything about there language, especially when it comes in ending. Like you I also like their music, I'm listening to it everyday and got used to it, sometimes I can say the lyrics ahead of the song. I saw your profile dude and you came from Indonesia, are you learning Korean language too? Or just a fanatic?
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
13 Jan 13
Yup, their language sounded very polite and I like hearing it whenever I'm watching of their dramas and songs. Base on what I've heard in some pods, it's better to learn first all the polite way of communication in Korean language than the infromal, to avoid for future troubles and conflict because I think they have a strong culture regarding of politeness. Anyway, enjoy listening to every Korean music, and have a great day, God Bless you... :)
@mukhlissa (57)
• Indonesia
12 Jan 13
I never thought that I would be learn the language despite I love their genre of music. Im just a fanatic, sure. But its interesting to learn the language, they were very polite way of speaking
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
12 Mar 13
My interest in Korea Language (HANGUL) started 3 years ago, I learned how to read and how to write Hangul by myself, it's easy but I am lack in pronouncing
Its not easy to remember the vocabulary also. The Korean drama on TV though helps me for some simple vocabulary and sentence.
Its not easy to remember the vocabulary also. The Korean drama on TV though helps me for some simple vocabulary and sentence.@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
13 Mar 13
Had you ever tried to speak with a real native Korean speaker before? Anyway, as for me I set aside my time of practice in Korean language temporarily becoz I need to focus myself more in learning English. I'll be back again in learning Korean after I arrange my time carefully. I think pronouncing Korean language is very easy to me, and yeas I agree to you that Korean dramas are very helpful when it comes in vocabulary.
@wwjwcom (237)
• Hubei, China
20 Jan 13
Hi.One of my good friends love Korean very much.Almost all of the TV series are Korea series and she always imitates the lines in the series.Every time she has free time she will watch Korea entertainment programs and TV series,laughing for jokes and funny things in them.Till now she can speak a little Korean and she will surely watch them all the time.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
18 Feb 13
Hi wwjwcom, you seems like a Korean in look. Anyway, I watched lots of Korean drama too before, I just stopped because it consume me a large quantity of my time just to watch the whole story but you know I'm not saying that I'm regretting watching korean dramas in fact I enjoyed it I would say that it is worth my time to watch it but of course there's also important things to be done rather than entertainment right. I'm sure your friend is always updated with the latest dramas, anyway are you also interested in Korean stuffs?
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
10 Jan 13
Oh yeah Koreans have that way of speaking you can pick them out of anywhere. Even if you don't fully understand the language. To me it sounds like they are always saying everything in the form of a question.
l watch Korean dramas and look up or ask about any words that are not translated to English in the subtitles.
Good luck with your learning.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
I'm glad to know that you actually understand what I'm saying about the way they speak. I'm totally agree that they always sound like in question form, because of the ending "yo" "wayo" "eyo" something like that, I love the sound of it, whenever I heard it in some dramas and songs, I feel like I want to do it too. Besides the Hangul charming tone, what makes also appealing to learn is there own alphabet which is more kind of a drawing for me instead of letters. I know a bit of it, I can read some of Hangul when I see short phrase, but can't able to extract the meaning yet, just can only read.
I still can't watch Korean dramas without sub, maybe I'll do it when I become in a conversational level, I'm glad that you can watch it raw, that's amazing you know... I'm wishing for myself that too someday... Anyway, do your best in learning Korean language... God Bless you... :)
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
10 Jan 13
I have a lot of interest in foreign languages. It can broaden your horizons and youer outlook on life. It is not always easy to learn a new language but it cqn bring a lot of joy and understanding about new cultures in your world.@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Me too, I do love to learn many languages as many as I can, the more you know the better you can understand many people, the more you can understand people the more you can have friends, and it's great to live having many friends. I know the downside of learning languages, sometimes it'll really frustrate you that you can't identify what's next, or how you gonna level up from what your currently know. When I'm on that moment in my English acquisition, I just watch television program, TLC, travel living channel and enjoy everything I'm seeing from it. And when my mind is relax that's when I'll go search again for some answer for my questions in the internet. I believe for what you said that language can bring you good benefits after you succeed learning it, it can really broaden of someone horizon and I think it can help you to better understand someone also yourself.
@IntrovertShy (2780)
• Marikina, Philippines
10 Jan 13
Oh yes. If we love or if we have passion on something even its difficult, we really have desire to learn like Korean language. It is because they influence us from movie and/or from drama on tv. Well, there is hope. I think, there is a Korean school or short courses that would help you learn about Korean languages, but the only problem is you have to pay for it.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
11 Jan 13
True, and that influence made me to decide to acquire of their language so that I can understand more of them profoundly. For me I'm not content of just watching when there's something that I really like, instead I'll do something about it and get more of it. I'll go take some short courses maybe when I know all the basics of Korean, I'll study first by myself, and I'll take all the good advice of many people in the net. Are you learning Korean too?
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
9 Jan 13
It is nice to hear that you are learning Korean. And for sure it is so good when you can speak many languages. I can speak a little bit Korean also since i am in Korea now but i don't spend my time on learning Korean...since i don't watch Korean drama regularly, i like US/UK movies and musics.
If you have time/money, you can go to Korea for learning, it just takes 6 months, you can speak korean fluently.
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
9 Jan 13
You know that's one of the great idea that you can do for yourself to learn quicker of your target language, but very expensive. But of course if your dying to learn and to speak this particular language then it is acceptable even though it will hurt your wallet. I think I gonna plan my way there, but right now I would save up first and learn the basics so that when the time comes that I go there, I will not be ignorant, can able to read sign in hangul, and can ask questions even though only in basics. I think there's a lot of method that I can use to learn Korean effectively even though I'm not in Korea, I gonna stick to the alternative for the moment. But what you said is the most effective, I'll go to Korea too when it is time for me to go, but like I said, I will learn the basics first and then do the rest in that country. :)
@djlesgm (14)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
I love Korean dramas. I love to hear their language, too. Koreans speak sweetly. I wish I will also have the guts to study their language. Good job axlrate!
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Of course you have guts... Everyone have guts, just in different conditions I think. You already have a passion in everything, you just need to focus yourself in something that gives you joy, if everything in Korean really gives you happiness then you will automatically react and take an action for it. Anyway, I believe you will learn it and you'll actually speak it fluently and sweetly the way you hearing it from the drama one day. I think just watch Korean shows as more as you can to get used of there tone and expressions and then read some of the meanings from the internet, that's what I'm doing right now, getting familiar first. By the way thank you for the response, God Bless you... :)
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
11 Jan 13
That's true my friend, everything can be learn because of passion and your burning desire. There's lot of hindrances that will block you along the way such as frustration, laziness, and lack of inspiration and motivation, but of course if you're really determined to succeed ultimately, then success will happen. I just heard to other people that Russian is one of the strangest when it comes in grammar, is that true brother? I don't have any slight comprehension with that language, maybe you can give me a little bit of details about Russian. :)
@leeandrew (1225)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Wow! I think I'll be able to learn that language too if I want to. Learning language is not that bad specially when your really motivated to do it.
My sister in-law is crazy about k-pop though and she's learning about Korean Language, culture and people and the place. It would not surprise me if one day she'll go to Korea for fun or for work co's I could tell that she really loves it.
I hope that you'll get better in what your doing and enjoy the fruit of it. God bless!
@axlrate7 (1398)
• Philippines
10 Jan 13
Yup, you can, actually everyone can, its only a matter of how you can motivate yourself to continuously do it. The truth is I also frustrate learning this language because there sometimes that I don't really get, but I think that's only normal coz in the first place I don't really have knowledge of the Korean unlike the English that I'm studying since I was a kid.
Anyway, its not unusual today that many people here in the Philippines trying to learn everything in Korean because of there charm and culture, there's no doubt that your sister in law will definitely make her way in that place one day, I'm betting on that also even though I don't know her, my mind is telling me the same thought that when the time comes that I can talk in conversational level, surely I plan my way to Korea. Anyway, are you a Korean fanatic too?
