Hey guys! Just one or two months ago I have uploaded a post which I shared about my journey of self--learning Korean and how I did it. For the past 9 years doing self learning of course I have noticed lots of pros and cons of throughout the way and in the end after many considerations (money, dream, future, time) I have decided to enroll myself for my first official korean language class in January. I have just finished my first term last week and I'm here today to share more about my experiences after attending the first term.
To ease your pain of trying to korek (dig) out my answers and comments I will do as same as the QnA session like the previous post.
1. Is language classes expensive and worth paying for?
I would not say it's cheap but affordable, for my first term I paid RM450 (8 week) and they don't count public holidays in the 8 weeks so don't worry. So it is about RM225 per month, might be ok for those who have already started working as it is only a portion of your salary probably. But I decided to take it anyway despite always living "in debt".
Language classes are usually around that range la to be honest, it won't go any much lower if you really want some quality teaching and learning. And I would say mine is really worth paying for! It's really different from how I did with self-learning (I will elaborate on this later).
2. How did your first class go? What do you learn during the first lesson?
My first class was hmm not bad? I did my placement test before I attended the first lesson and obviously I screwed up the paper. My tutor kinda gave up checking it and just handed me the exercise sheets. I didn't know my grammar is even worse than I thought until I took the placement test. Korean grammar is not as easy as I thought (cries).
Basically on the first, he evaluated on my performance and see how much I can learn and absorb in a 2 hours class. He started with all the basic korean grammar, sentence ending for noun and adjectives (입니다 , 입니까 , 습니다 , 습니까 ), object and subject particles (은/는, 을/를, 이/가). On my first class I was still working on getting used to caring so much the grammar usage. Korean grammar is really particular in the way they express a certain meaning/feelings, it would a completely different thing with just a word different.
3. What do you think of the way of teaching and learning?
The way of teaching and learning is called DSS a commonly used method in KLH at which students learn the new language on directed self-study basis. You will be given help from your tutor on the exercises given based on your learning progress. Basically, to put it in a simpler way everyone in the class might be at different level and learning at different pace and tutor will guide you based on your learning speed, so if you are a fast learner you can definitely progress faster and need not to wait for the others in the class which is of course saving a lot of time.
In my opinion, I was very comfortable with this way of learning as I already had a certain basic and I wish to strengthen my grammar and also sentences forming. I can move on as soon as I'm done with exercises and tests given, also when I have already fully absorbed what have been taught. I find learning in a big class sometimes tend to waste your time, it is either you spend most of your time waiting for others to be at the same level in order to move on to the next thing or you are too afraid of being slow and not being as "one" with the others so you pretendddd that you already understood which is definitely not a good way of learning. No worries for me la I went through so much shits learning English last time, being muka tembok (thick skinned) is one of my greatest skills just so you know.
4. Do you still recommend self-learning? Or do you think proper class should be first option?
Well, if were to let me choose again I would still prefer to do some self-learning before going for proper structured lessons. It saved me way too much time as I can just focus and work on my grammar instead of spending too much time and money on basic things like getting to know how to read, write etc. But it really depends on one's ability, some people prefer to go step by step and to be guided by tutor. 10years ago I didn't have that ability to pay that much for extra classes and Korean tuition class in my place was way harder than kena toto (exaggerated abit). I remember there was only one place that taught Japanese, basic that kind somemore.
So yea, if you're financially constrained and wish to not spend too much on foreign language classes, self learning could be a good choice!
5. How are you progressing so far?
There is one thing I really love about KLH is their module, it's all structured and arranged accordingly so it makes it really easy from me to go from this to the next. If you get what I'm trying to say, they start from the most basic grammar usage you would probably see it everywhere, the more common ones and once you got all the basic in mind they moved on to the harder and more complicated parts. It is something very different from me learning using those korean guidance textbook where the syllabus can just jump here and there so sometimes you will encounter much complicated grammar even only in the first two chapters.
As for now, I'm progressing quite well I think? I usually get to complete at least 2 sheets of grammar exercise per session included past year Reading and Listening test paper too within the 2 hours class. I think cause I worked really hard so I don't find it an issue catching up with the pace. I'm actually having lots of fun learning too, it is some kind of self satisfaction when you accomplished something. Especially when I managed to finish my homework within half an hour or scored 100 for test kekeke
Yes, it's possible to score 100 and even 200 full marks for the TOPIK exam (beginner level) cause the questions basically surround simple grammar usage and those common vocabs used in songs or drama, hmm well that's if you watch drama frequently. Knowing vocab is another thing, and it is something you can't just rush outta it.
6. Will you continue with the next term?
I'm already on my 2nd term and two classes before it ends. I have also decided to continue with 3rd term despite the busy schedule I have now with my school assignment (final sem architecture). But I have this very strong will to keep me going so I think I will be fine? Trust me, it's not something that hard or dreadful to be done, as long as your interest in there you will just go with the flow and progress smoothly.
One more thing, language is something you need to keep practicing so if possible try not to give up half way if you already get yourself into it. It really takes awhile for you to pick up the pace again. It is better if you keep practicing and fork out a little time everyday to do some work/exercises, watching korean speakers videos help too! It helps me lot in improving listening skill, beginner might not be too familiar with the accent and pronunciation of native korean speakers so you would want to keep it a habit to get familiarized with them.
This is the channel I subscribed to on youtube and it is called "Talk to me in Korean"
https://www.youtube.com/user/talktomeinkorean
They have short videos or sound clips which they will have people speaking in Korean of normal conversations, daily life, activities and etc, which some topics are actually quite interesting!
7. What do I need to equip myself with before attending the class?
Patience and persistence, do not give up easily when you are having a hard time remembering vocabs, grammar or conversation. I'm not good in speaking as well but I'm trying to read out every sentences just so I can train myself to have the ability to pronounce in the right way. To be able to have a conversation, it does require a certain level of understanding in their sentences forming and grammar besides knowing enough vocabs. So be patient, you will get there someday if you work hard and keep trying!
8. Is TOPIK exam necessary?
This is up to individual's choice, some people learn Korean because they like it and they see it as a hobby or interest. Well some might wish to be qualified in something for job entries or for scholarship application. But it is really no harm if you don't like the trouble of taking exam. To be honest, the beginner TOPIK I exam is not that hard as you thought. As for myself, my wish is to achieve advanced level of TOPIK II and have the chance to pursue further studies in Korean in Korea, yea that's my aim so I'm preparing myself for the coming exam in Oct.
I think that's all I wish to share in this post, feel free to drop me a message at the comment box if you wish to know more about learning Korean. I will try my best to answer you!
Cheers xoxo
