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Learn Korean as a Digital Nomad

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Learn Korean as a digital nomad in Korea to enhance your experience. Overcome language barriers, connect with locals, and immerse in the culture.

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Nov 18, 2023

Introduction

When traveling to a foreign country, it's common to encounter situations where the locals don't speak English or menus are not written in English. However, instead of getting frustrated, we should embrace these challenges as they can open up new opportunities for personal growth and cultural immersion. In the case of Korea, learning the Korean language can greatly enhance your digital nomad experience. Not only will it help you navigate the country more easily, but it will also allow you to connect with locals on a deeper level. In this post, I’ll share my personal experience of how I learned Korean. The quite unconventional ways that helped me get fluent without getting stressed. Learning Korean can benefit your digital nomad journey.

Koreans don’t really speak English

It might sound surprising to you, as a country this developed is being promoted all over the world. With High Tech exports and K-Pop and millions of visitors coming to Korea. But reality does look a little different. Many restaurants and cafes only have menus in Korean. Most Koreans were forced to learn English from a young age. But their purpose is not speaking or communication; it's about passing the test. They only learn the pattern to solve the multiple-choice questions. For them, displaying the correct grammar is more important than a conversation with a foreigner. Thanks to Netflix and watching more English-speaking content while also being more exposed to foreigners, Koreans have dramatically improved in Seoul compared to 10 years ago, when I first arrived.

How I Became Fluent in Korean

I did not have any formal education in Korean. While I took a course once a week at my university, I have to admit that it didn't really help me much. What really accelerated my learning was watching Korean dramas. Initially, I was drawn to romantic comedies, but nowadays there's a wide variety of Korean shows available. I would pick a show and simply start listening, getting used to the sounds and facial expressions. Unconsciously, I found myself mimicking those expressions and learning from them. I discovered a lot about Korean culture, especially the formalities and how people address each other based on their relationship, whether it's a friend, someone older, younger, or in a work environment. Observing these interactions provided valuable lessons.

The next step in my journey was learning how to read the Korean alphabet. Surprisingly, it was not as intimidating as I had initially thought. The Korean alphabet, known as Hangeul, has a logical structure that can be grasped within minutes. Unlike Chinese characters, the Korean alphabet has equivalent counterparts to the Latin alphabet, which remain consistent. I took the time to learn the basics, understanding that syllables are formed by combining consonants and vowels, and that they are read from left to right and top to bottom.

After mastering the alphabet, I began practicing chatting and forming my own sentences. This allowed me to apply what I had learned and start expressing myself in written Korean. It was a gradual process, but with regular practice and exposure, I began to feel more confident in my language skills.

However, the most challenging part was actually speaking. It took a lot of courage to start speaking confidently. I found it helpful to engage in conversations with native Korean speakers, whether it was a language exchange partner or a Korean friend. By actively participating in conversations, asking questions, and discussing grammar points, I was able to improve my pronunciation and gain valuable insights into Korean culture and daily life.

Overall, my journey to fluency in Korean was a combination of watching Korean dramas, learning the alphabet, practicing chatting and forming sentences, and gradually building confidence in speaking. It wasn't always easy, but the rewards of being able to communicate, connect with locals, and fully immerse myself in Korean culture made it all worthwhile.

Learn the Korean Alphabet

I understand that learning a new alphabet can be intimidating, but the Korean alphabet is actually quite simple and easy to learn. Unlike Chinese characters, the Korean alphabet has equivalent counterparts to the Latin alphabet that remain consistent. I'll teach you the basics in less than 5 minutes!

The Korean alphabet, also known as Hangeul, is a fundamental part of learning the Korean language. It is a phonetic writing system consisting of consonants and vowels that are combined to form syllables.

The Korean alphabet, known as Hangeul, has a very easy logic that is easy to understand and grasp within minutes. Here are the basic rules:

Syllables are made up of consonants and vowels.

Consonants + Vowels

Syllables are read from left to right and top to bottom.

Now, you can try it yourself and practice reading Korean syllables using these rules!

Here are a few examples of easy Korean words you can try:

Here’s a little challenge for you! You need to use the numbers from the chart to build a syllable inside the bracket []. Each number corresponds to a specific character in the Korean alphabet. By combining these characters, you can form a syllable. For example, if the number is 1, you would use the character ㄱ. If the number is 2, you would use the character ㄴ. Once you have the syllable, place it inside the bracket [].

For instance:

To build the syllable 김, you would use the numbers [1, 24, 5].

To build the syllable 밥, you would use the numbers [6, 15, 6]

Keep in mind that the numbers correspond to the specific characters in the chart, and each syllable is read from left to right and top to bottom.

Now, give it a try and build the syllables for the following words:

김밥 (Rice Roll): [1, 24, 5] [6, 15, 6]

안녕하세요 (Hello): [8, 14, 2] [2, 18, 8] [14, 15] [7, 27] [8, 20]

감사합니다 (Thank you): [1, 15, 5] [7, 15] [14, 15, 6] [2, 24] [3, 15]

사랑해 (I love you): [7, 15] [4, 15, 8] [14, 25]

I hope you were able to read all the words in that little challenge.

Sometimes, you might wonder why certain words are pronounced differently than what the chart indicates, which can be frustrating. However, accents and dialects also influence how words are pronounced and can change over time. Take this chart as a starting point and learn how to pronounce words. You can practice by using Google Translate to read the words out loud!

Trust me, when you gain confidence in reading the menu at a restaurant, cafe, and subway station, you will be able to navigate around in Korea quite easily! Keep practicing and don't be afraid to challenge yourself

Chatting with a Korean Friend: Improving Reading and Writing Skills

One of the most effective ways to enhance your reading and writing skills in Korean is by engaging in conversations with native speakers. By chatting with a Korean friend, you not only improve your language proficiency but also gain insights into Korean culture and daily life. If you don't have a Korean friend yet, don't worry! You can still practice your skills with the help of ChatGPT, an excellent partner for language practice.

Copy this to ChatGPT:

I would like to have a little chat with my favorite Korean friend Kim Jiyoung, to practice Korean. If there are any words that sound strange in my pronunciation, please correct them. Feel free to talk to me comfortably. I want to talk about topic [Insert Topic (Example: “How was your day?”)]

Role Playing Scenarios

Daily Life: You can simulate everyday conversations with a Korean friend. Practice discussing your daily routines, hobbies, or favorite Korean foods. For example:

A: 안녕! 오늘 뭐 했어?

B: 안녕! 나는 오늘 친구들과 함께 영화를 봤어. 너는 어떻게 보냈어?

(Translation: A: Hi! What did you do today? B: Hi! I watched a movie with my friends today. How about you?)

Travel: Imagine you're planning a trip to Korea and seek advice from your Korean friend. Discuss places to visit, local customs, or recommended Korean phrases. For example:

A: 한국에 가본 적이 없어서 어디를 가야 할지 잘 모르겠어. 어떤 곳을 추천해줄 수 있을까?

B: 서울에 가볼 만한 곳은 광화문이에요. 한복 체험도 할 수 있고 국립 박물관도 가보세요!

(Translation: A: I've never been to Korea, so I'm not sure where to go. Can you recommend any places? B: Gwanghwamun in Seoul is worth a visit. You can also experience wearing hanbok and visit the National Museum!)

Language Learning: Pretend you're attending a language exchange meetup with your Korean friend. Practice asking questions, discussing grammar points, or even correcting each other's language mistakes. For example:

A: 한국어로 "I like to eat kimchi"는 어떻게 말해요?

B: "나는 김치를 먹는 것을 좋아해요"라고 해요.

(Translation: A: How do you say "I like to eat kimchi" in Korean? B: You say "나는 김치를 먹는 것을 좋아해요.")

Remember to actively engage in the conversation, ask follow-up questions, and utilize newly learned vocabulary and grammar. Take turns and be patient with yourself as well as with ChatGPT or your Korean friend. Practice regularly, and you'll see improvements in your reading and writing skills over time!

Speak Up!

When I used to meet up with my friends, I had quite good listening skills in Korean, but I would always answer in English. It created a dynamic where I spoke in English and my Korean friend would understand, and vice versa. However, when it came to speaking, I was always shy. My biggest fear was using informal language with someone older than me. But as foreigners trying hard to communicate, nobody would take offense if we made mistakes or were too casual. In fact, Koreans themselves sometimes feel burdened by using too much formality, so they appreciate the fresh and casual approach with foreigners.

It took me 15 years into my language-learning journey before I started speaking Korean. Until last year, I made a decision to accelerate my Korean and try to make it my default language. It's worth noting that I have a Korean appearance, so people often assume I am a Korean until I open my mouth and tell them I'm German with Vietnamese parents. This revelation often blows their mind. Your situation may be different, but I encourage you to give it a try and embrace speaking the language confidently! I have made many mistakes and my Korean friends would laugh but you will learn quicker when you put yourself out there!

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning the Korean language can greatly enhance your digital nomad experience in Korea. By embracing the challenge of language barriers, you can develop problem-solving skills and adaptability. Additionally, learning Korean allows for a deeper appreciation of the culture and a more immersive experience. Finally, it enables you to build connections and forge meaningful relationships with locals. So, why not take the opportunity to learn Hangeul and unlock the full potential of your digital nomad journey in Korea? But most importantly have fun learning and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.