[Sam Sik]

Hey there,

I want to learn Korean this summer because I finally have the spare time to do so. And also I really want to learn a 3rd language for future travel purposes.

I do have friends that could possibly help me out whenever I do need help in Korean.

However, my only resources are textbook and audio. I recently bought a textbook that is for those that want to learn Korean in terms of Beginner level. And the way the book is outlined is like for children which is excellent since that is how I find it easier to learn. Eventually, I have will other resources such as CDs and Audio. Pronunciation are available in the discs and I do have Korean friends that can help me out whenever at school.

The problem is I heard that you can learn a language a lot easier if you are exposed to that environment that constantly speak the language. But really, I don't think I will have the option of living in Korea anytime soon. So the only option I have right now since I am a High School student is by Textbook. Later on in about a year when I become a university student I'll have the option of taking courses and such. But that is later on in life and not now.

I know that I will miss out on Idioms and Slang words in the languages I will pick up in Korean. So has anyone learned any language by the use of textbook before without being surrounded by the language itself?

[ladee_bug]

I've never learned a language by myself with only textbooks or some sort, but if you're dedicated you can succeed eventually. A lot of people have done it and that's why the books are there.

I know a few europeen languages along with english and I just want to add that knowing what you've learned in English class can help a lot in becoming fluent. Someone who doesn't know what an adjective is or how to spot certain grammar stuff in their own language can cause some difficulties.
But I guess these days the tapes just give you some sentences to memorize without knowing where to place the verb, etc.
Books can be really helpful =)

And last but not least, don't give up so easily =( It all takes time!
I've met so many people who get all excited about learning a new language and ask me a bunch of questions and then a few months later I find out that they stopped learning.
I guess I learned the best way by going to the countries themselves, but you can always do that later in life and get a head start on the language now.

Good luck!

[Antz]

i used to read my korean language books all the time before and i've realised that i've learnt most of my korean stuff just from those books alone. i'm not surrounded by much korean stuff so it makes it harder. but it definitely does not happen straight away.

[Deziel]

I for one, believe it to be impossible to learn a language without frequent usage of it. It's like learning History. How much of it to you remember? Not much because you don't talk about it much. Anyways. I tried learning Japanese from the internet, but I don't have any Japanese people to talk to so I haven't made much improvement from a year ago.

[Melitus]

I for one, believe it to be impossible to learn a language without frequent usage of it. It's like learning History. How much of it to you remember? Not much because you don't talk about it much. Anyways. I tried learning Japanese from the internet, but I don't have any Japanese people to talk to so I haven't made much improvement from a year ago.

Yup yup, even though i use my textbook alot, however i was in a classroom enivroment...there we're a lot more pressure to learn it since it's for marks.
I've been trying to learn korean for like a year and I cannot remember most of it. I took japan for 1 semester i retain ALOT of it.

[busagiboo]

I haven't tried it yet, but I have this one friend who managed to teach himself French, Cantonese, and Mandarin. I don't know how exactly, but he's just really smart.

[understanding_fiction]

I don't think I can really help with advice because I was born in Korea myself ;P but..

How serious are about learning Korean? The problem about teaching yourself a language is that it's really hard to motivate yourself - I gave up studying Japanese because I just wasn't willing to spend enough time and effort on it.

The only thing you can really do about not actually being in a Korean environment is to practice it out on other Koreans. You should be spending a lot of time on the Internet and in real life talking with them. One problem about Korean is that speaking usually involves a lot of cultural references, idioms, slang, etc. so you might have some trouble with that at first.

Make use of the Korean Help thread :3

[Sam Sik]

I don't think I can really help with advice because I was born in Korea myself ;P but..

How serious are about learning Korean? The problem about teaching yourself a language is that it's really hard to motivate yourself - I gave up studying Japanese because I just wasn't willing to spend enough time and effort on it.

The only thing you can really do about not actually being in a Korean environment is to practice it out on other Koreans. You should be spending a lot of time on the Internet and in real life talking with them. One problem about Korean is that speaking usually involves a lot of cultural references, idioms, slang, etc. so you might have some trouble with that at first.

Make use of the Korean Help thread :3

I'm really serious. I have an outline on how much studying should go. I do have a few Korean friends that I might let me practice on them but..the fobs really don't like me. Except for a couple but I guess I'll have them help me out if I asked.

I am going to Korea to study more after I've taken a grasp at the language itself to get with the cultural references, idioms and slang. But yes of course, I do understand what you mean. After watching Hancock with 52 Chinese International students, not one found any parts of the movie funny because of idiots and slang. I did though haha

[PDURRR]

if your serious you can learn quite a bit

too bad i live somewhere wheres very few koreans lol
when im at the school library sometimes i'd hear some but yeah haha i'm not gonna go HI! lol

well if you got hangul down and stuff you can always get a headstart with
let's speak korean! on youtube
useful stuff
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oFquIh-g9XA

행운을 빕니다!

[demllequ]

pay someone to teach you, eg special classes. that way you can have someone to help you. i am sure its worth it

[ketchup?]

I've tried dude. I got past the first chapter in my book which was memorizing and learning how to read and write but after that my brain went through the roof and I haven't picked up the book and the audio since :[

[understanding_fiction]

I'm really serious. I have an outline on how much studying should go. I do have a few Korean friends that I might let me practice on them but..the fobs really don't like me. Except for a couple but I guess I'll have them help me out if I asked.

I am going to Korea to study more after I've taken a grasp at the language itself to get with the cultural references, idioms and slang. But yes of course, I do understand what you mean. After watching Hancock with 52 Chinese International students, not one found any parts of the movie funny because of idiots and slang. I did though haha

Haha :3 Find yourself some Internet friends!

The problem is that the current trend is to type like a friggin ten year old on the Internet so it could be pretty hard trying to decipher what they're saying until you get used to it.

NELL_____NELL
NELLNELLNELLNELL
NELLNELLNELLNELL
NELLNELLNELL
NELLNELL
NELL

[LittleCabbage]

LOL HAHA YEAH buh i just get to lazy and dont bother :L

[oh_miracle]

i forgot most of the stuff i learned in french and italian class. FAIL. .___.

[o0ochristieo0o]

maybe i just don't have enough patience to finish it LOL
need some motivation, like having someone testing or checking my hw LOL

[starskipper]

i am trying to learn thru books n videos and audios .
it's difficult n i can barely understand korean.LOL

I need motivation too!
anyone successfully master korean without attending lessons?

[j00nie]

i tired many times to learn korean from books but its just too hard

[ultimoroboto]

Try Koreanclass101.com! I bought a subscription during winter break and its pretty awesome. They have the audio and PDF files of the lessons. If you search around the website or sign up for the newsletter you can get discounts. I got mine for half off. I like it because they break down the audio really well and each lesson has a theme to it. It's actually fun to listen to as well.

[sushixlovesu]

I learn korean on my own too with textbooks and such. But to be honest the things that you learn in books cant compare to being taught by actually speaking the language. After learning for half a year i only understand the words, Putting it into sentences is still hard.

[aval-zo]

You have to be committed and have the time to learn the language. It'll take time alright. I took Spanish courses in HS and two years after HS grad, I can read and barely understand it. I took japn courses in uni and currently able to communicate i basic japn. I'm learning thai and korean by myself via the net and even though I don't have anyone to speak in thai and korean too, I can understand a bit of thai and korean shows.

So, if you're learning it by yourself, it is possible to successfully learn a language if you're committed and take the time to ingrain the lang. skills in your brain