Learn Korean?

[plutoplace]

I also studied in SKS for 2 years plus. I intending to take replacement test at NUS Ext or looking for korean tutor or self study. I won't recommend studied in SKS because u need to pass exam before going to next level. It too stressful and lots of homework to do, also need to catch shuttle bus by 6.30pm.
somehow i have exam stress.
Is it true that topik valid for 2 year? after 2 year u need to retake again? Is topik important? if people failed topik won't feel embarrassing?

한국어는 배우기 어렵지 않은데 잊어버리기 쉬워요. 포기하기 쉬워요. 실수하기 쉬워요. 포기하기 쉬워요.

Hi Tingyuan... Which level did you stop at? I left sks after advance 3 class.

I understand your pain. Because I have been in SKS for so long. At first it was really easy but as I advanced it became very difficult. There were so much grammar and words to learn. Watching drama helps a bit but not much. Really need to constantly revise your work. Sometimes we dun even understand what the teacher is talking even though we are at advanced class.

And guess what? After advanced 3, I am still a long way from topik intermediate level. I have to self study many more grammar, read more complex text and train my ears for very technical listening (Not drama conversation). And I only managed a topik level 3. Nothing embarrasing if you failed topik, it is really tough at the higher level. Topik is a gauge of your korean level, whether it is important depends on you.

But then you know you learn the most from SKS because of the homework and exams .

 

[plutoplace]

hello1 i study at sks too, abit stress when ask to read aloud in class, will stammer but read myself is ok haha

저도요!

괜찮아요. 한국말이 너무 어렵다.

 

[kjaskk]

What are the textbooks used at SKS?

Which text book is used at SKS?

I let SKS several years ago.

Looks like you are very very interested in korean language. Haha...

Ok. ssi 씨 is an universal honorific used for people of equal status. So basically you always address people with a ssi unless you have to address with other honorifics. Your friends, your classmates and anybody who has equal standing. (ssi is the safest way to address people if you are unsure)

For nim 님, it is used to address people of higher status .
Like Teacher, seonsaeng-nim
Professor, kyusu-nim
Father, abo-nim
Grandmother, hal-mo-nim

Oh I studied in SKS for 2 years . I will try not to miss the bus but sometimes when I do, I will skip the lesson. (Too expensive to take a taxi to SKS Lol)
Yup so if you definitely can't catch the shuttle bus, I would not recommend you to study in SKS.

Anyway I also had exam periods like you so I did miss lessons for 1 or 2 weeks. The teachers there are quite nice so they won't be angry if you can't make it.

 

[plutoplace]

Which text book is used at SKS?

I let SKS several years ago.

My time (2 yrs back) is still the kyunghee textbook.

Not sure now if it is yonsei or kyunghee..

 

[enrell69]

seems like SKS is very much well-recommended.

how about daehan? im thinking taking classes in july.

 

[tingyuan]

저도요!

괜찮아요. 한국말이 너무 어렵다.

저도요. 쓰기도 너무 어렵다. 하국어를 배우면 할수록 자신도 없다. 이제 한국어를 포기하고 생학할게요. SKS 고급3이 끝나서 한국 문법을 다 잊어버렸다. 나는 시험 기간 동안 스트레스를 받고 있으면 한국 문법을 다 잊어버려서 실수를 숩게 저지를 수가 있다. 한국에서 일하고 싶으면서 한국어능력시험이 가장 중요한다. plutoplace씨는요? i forgotten most grammar.

 

[tingyuan]

learn the language fully through online means? wouldn't it be incomprehensive?

thanks for the textbook recommendation!

better to learn from school. some people self study and go to sks aka klc to take replacement test to skip level.

seems like SKS is very much well-recommended.

how about daehan? im thinking taking classes in july.

u google daehan and see.

hello1 i study at sks too, abit stress when ask to read aloud in class, will stammer but read myself is ok haha

i also have same feeling as you. I get nervous when ask me to read aloud in class. u are cha seung won fan? 완전 먼진다

 

[enrell69]

better to learn from school. some people self study and go to sks aka klc to take replacement test to skip level.



u google daehan and see.



i also have same feeling as you. I get nervous when ask me to read aloud in class. u are cha seung won fan? 완전 먼진다

what i meant is daehan any better than sks?

 

[plutoplace]

저도요. 쓰기도 너무 어렵다. 하국어를 배우면 할수록 자신도 없다. 이제 한국어를 포기하고 생학할게요. SKS 고급3이 끝나서 한국 문법을 다 잊어버렸다. 나는 시험 기간 동안 스트레스를 받고 있으면 한국 문법을 다 잊어버려서 실수를 숩게 저지를 수가 있다. 한국에서 일하고 싶으면서 한국어능력시험이 가장 중요한다. plutoplace씨는요? i forgotten most grammar.

문법은 이렇게 중요해요?

나에게 한국말로 대화를 나눈것은 더 어렵고 더 중요해요.

저도 많은 문법을 잊어버렸다. 당연하지.
연습이없다면 기억할수 없어요.

하지만 왜 이제 한국어를 포기해요?

어려워서 더 열심히 노력해야 해요.
끝까지 포기하지 마세요.


Dun Give Up =)

 

[plutoplace]

what i meant is daehan any better than sks?

Of course not. Daehan is a relatively new school. SKS has been teaching korean for 10 over years. If you want assured quality, go SKS.

I would say SKS is geared towards academic learning so you must prepare to work hard and do well in tests and exam. (Many grammars and vocab to remember)

 

[tingyuan]

문법은 이렇게 중요해요?

나에게 한국말로 대화를 나눈것은 더 어렵고 더 중요해요.

저도 많은 문법을 잊어버렸다. 당연하지.
연습이없다면 기억할수 없어요.

하지만 왜 이제 한국어를 포기해요?

어려워서 더 열심히 노력해야 해요.
끝까지 포기하지 마세요.


Dun Give Up =)

난 모르겠어요. 네, 포기하지 마세요. what the grammar for "told me"
can recommend me a book to self study to order. I don't think i have an opportunity to work in Korean company. I am still hesitate whether to take topik. I do not know whether it is important to me. I don't want to disappointed again.
U intend to enroll master class? luck also play an important role since u have topik level 3. what your plan?

what i meant is daehan any better than sks?

Which text book is used at SKS?

I let SKS several years ago.

You can either go NUSExt or SKS. But NUSExt Advance 1 using Yonsei book 4.

SKS now called KLC (Korean Learning School). They still using kyunghee book but they change new term http://sgkis.org/sgkis_klc.html

 

[enrell69]

난 모르겠어요. 네, 포기하지 마세요. what the grammar for "told me"
can recommend me a book to self study to order. I don't think i have an opportunity to work in Korean company. I am still hesitate whether to take topik. I do not know whether it is important to me. I don't want to disappointed again.
U intend to enroll master class? luck also play an important role since u have topik level 3. what your plan?

You can either go NUSExt or SKS. But NUSExt Advance 1 using Yonsei book 4.

SKS now called KLC (Korean Learning School). They still using kyunghee book but they change new term sgkis.org- Singpore Korean school Korean language course

Of course not. Daehan is a relatively new school. SKS has been teaching korean for 10 over years. If you want assured quality, go SKS.

I would say SKS is geared towards academic learning so you must prepare to work hard and do well in tests and exam. (Many grammars and vocab to remember)

Thanks for the advice bros

Im taking Korean just to prepare myself incase i want to move there. So i need a proper certification (topik etc) as an additional support.

 

[plutoplace]

난 모르겠어요. 네, 포기하지 마세요. what the grammar for "told me"
can recommend me a book to self study to order. I don't think i have an opportunity to work in Korean company. I am still hesitate whether to take topik. I do not know whether it is important to me. I don't want to disappointed again.
U intend to enroll master class? luck also play an important role since u have topik level 3. what your plan?

Maybe you can use topik as a motivation to learn korean. Getting a topik does not mean you can find a job in Korea.
You have to be able to communicate in Korean fluently.
But maybe you can have a better chance to work in korean companies in Singapore.

You are worried because you may fail the exam. But the process is more important than the results.
Use Topik as a stepping stone to revise what you have learnt and gain new knowledge. Have more confidence in yourself.

Why give yourself so much stress? You are only learning an language, that's all. It is not a do-or-die thing.Try to remember why you learn korean in the first place. And I am sure there is a reason why you preserve till A3 when most students actually drop out after E2. Reignite the spark that motivates you to learn korean and I am sure you will have a more positive attitude. There is much more than memorising grammar /doing well for exams in learning an language.

As for me, I have school commitment so I won't be enrolling in Master class. I dun have a definite plan/roadmap. Maybe if I have time, I will take Topik 4 this year. I am just taking it easy now, not giving myself so much stress. For books, it is difficult to buy in Singapore. I rely on online resources most of the time.

 

[enrell69]

Maybe you can use topik as a motivation to learn korean. Getting a topik does not mean you can find a job in Korea.
You have to be able to communicate in Korean fluently.
But maybe you can have a better chance to work in korean companies in Singapore.

You are worried because you may fail the exam. But the process is more important than the results.
Use Topik as a stepping stone to revise what you have learnt and gain new knowledge. Have more confidence in yourself.

Why give yourself so much stress? You are only learning an language, that's all. It is not a do-or-die thing. You should try to remember why you learn korean in the first place. And I am sure there is a reason why you preserve till A3 when most students actually drop out after E2. Reignite the spark that motivates you to learn korean and I am sure you will have a more positive attitude. There is much more than memorising grammar /doing well for exams in learning an language.

As for me, I have school commitment so I won't be enrolling in Master class. I dun have a definite plan/roadmap. Maybe if I have time, I will take Topik 4 this year. I am just taking it easy now, not giving myself so much stress. For books, it is difficult to buy in Singapore. I rely on online resources most of the time.

is topik really hard? i heard the earlier topik is easy to pass but not so for the later part.

 

[plutoplace]

is topik really hard? i heard the earlier topik is easy to pass but not so for the later part.

Seeing is believing. Go topikguide.com and download the topik papers.

My experience is topik beginner is super easy and topik intermediate much much tougher. Most ppl are happy to get a level 1 or 2 but it is of not much use.

 

[enrell69]

Seeing is believing. Go topikguide.com and download the topik papers.

My experience is topik beginner is super easy and topik intermediate much much tougher. Most ppl are happy to get a level 1 or 2 but it is of not much use.

in my situation, i have to complete the whole of topik right? what do you suggest?

any advice is much appreciated

 

[plutoplace]

in my situation, i have to complete the whole of topik right? what do you suggest?

any advice is much appreciated

Haha... What is your situation?

Are you planning to study/work in Korea?

Seems that you have not started learning korean yet. Hmm... If you are keen to take TOPIK you may want to try SKS. Because their curriculum prepares the students for topik. SKS has been offering topik for many years so their teachers are more experienced.

Haha... Whether you can complete the whole of topik depends on your intelligence and hard work. If you are learning from scratch, it takes about 1 year (of lesson) to reach topik level 1 and 2 (sure pass) , 2 years and more to achieve level 3 and 4. Once you hitlevel 4, then level 5 and 6 is just more self study and practice. If you hit level 5 you are good enough to enrol full time course in a korean university. Of course, it depends on the person as well. Some ppl are really good in korean and can hit level 4 in 1.5 years etc.

 

[tingyuan]

Maybe you can use topik as a motivation to learn korean. Getting a topik does not mean you can find a job in Korea.
You have to be able to communicate in Korean fluently.
But maybe you can have a better chance to work in korean companies in Singapore.

You are worried because you may fail the exam. But the process is more important than the results.
Use Topik as a stepping stone to revise what you have learnt and gain new knowledge. Have more confidence in yourself.

Why give yourself so much stress? You are only learning an language, that's all. It is not a do-or-die thing.Try to remember why you learn korean in the first place. And I am sure there is a reason why you preserve till A3 when most students actually drop out after E2. Reignite the spark that motivates you to learn korean and I am sure you will have a more positive attitude. There is much more than memorising grammar /doing well for exams in learning an language.

As for me, I have school commitment so I won't be enrolling in Master class. I dun have a definite plan/roadmap. Maybe if I have time, I will take Topik 4 this year. I am just taking it easy now, not giving myself so much stress. For books, it is difficult to buy in Singapore. I rely on online resources most of the time.

네, 결과보다는 과정이 더 중요하다고 생각해요.
I also have some commitment so i can't enroll in Master class. Last time I usually go gmarket.co.kr to order Korean book. My Korean friend told me topik not important. I think he said not important because he is a Korean mah. I am worried I will be a failure. How to built confidence? Topik beginner is easy to pass. Perhaps i will do some revision before I enroll to master class. Luck also play an important role.
Topik is getting difficult than those previous year.

I learn Korean because of Korean Actor/Actress. I can watch Korean drama without sub. i self study also a good thing to me. i can relax and take it easy, watch Korean drama, read Korean news rather than taking exam. Your much more is referring to practice/speak Korean to friend?

There's also people without topik certificate working in Korean company.

 

[plutoplace]

네, 결과보다는 과정이 더 중요하다고 생각해요.
I also have some commitment so i can't enroll in Master class. Last time I usually go gmarket.co.kr to order Korean book. My Korean friend told me topik not important. I think he said not important because he is a Korean mah. I am worried I will be a failure. How to built confidence? Topik beginner is easy to pass. Perhaps i will do some revision before I enroll to master class. Luck also play an important role.
Topik is getting difficult than those previous year.

I learn Korean because of Korean Actor/Actress. I can watch Korean drama without sub. i self study also a good thing to me. i can relax and take it easy, watch Korean drama, read Korean news rather than taking exam. Your much more is referring to practice/speak Korean to friend?

There's also people without topik certificate working in Korean company.

Yes TOPIK is getting more difficult these days. Soon ( 2yrs time, I think) there will be an oral component for TOPIK. So there are listening , essay writing, reading comprehension and oral for a full topik paper.

In Singapore, there is no need to have a topik cert to work in korean companies because most of the jobs do not need korean language proficiency . If needs arise, korean staffs will cover the jobs. This is unlike jap companies which expect a JLPT cert(Similar to TOPIK) from their employees.

Yup Just take it easy, Take it as a hobby. No need to stress yourself over exams.

 

[plutoplace]

For anyone interested to live in S.korea (From Yahoo)



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Immigration to Korea is probably harder than immigration to any other OECD country. Korea does not give permanent residency unless you are extremely rich or married to a Korean.

If you are really dedicated, you can live in Korea for several decades scrimping and saving at one-year contract jobs, until you have saved 500,000,000 won, then you can open a business with that money using a D-8 visa and eventually get permanent residency that way. You can come in with 5,000,000,000 won and get instant permanent residency.

You can also marry a Korean, and this is the route that the vast majority of immigrants take.

Besides permanent residency, it's possible to apply for citizenship if you have lived in Korea for at least five years, but this is almost never granted, and you can look forward to naturalization tests in Korean, an assessment of your Korean language level, immigration officers checking to see if you've made a contribution to Korean society, etc. AND THEN you might get drafted into the military to serve your two years. However, it is highly unlikely that, even after passing all the tests, they'd choose to give you Korean citizenship, unless you were a professor or doctor or something like that.

In short, immigration to Korea is much harder than immigration to Singapore, Hong Kong, or even Japan, and while I have never met a Korean PR holder, I have met MANY permanent residents in Hong Kong, Japan, and I also know Singaporean permanent residents. I personally recommend that if immigration is your goal, you check out another OECD Asian country instead -- Korea is NOT immigration friendly.

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