Learning Korean
I've been trying to study Hangeul or the Korean Language ever since I started teaching Korean kids three years ago. My first teacher was my five-year-old student, Yulan. She would sometimes get tired of studying English so we would take a break and exchange roles for a few minutes. She would teach me the basics even though at that time, she was still starting to study Hangeul herself. But, she was a very good teacher. :)
Since then, I studied Hangeul by myself until I finally learned how to read and write using the Korean alphabet. I understand a few basic words and sentences but my comprehension is still bad. It helps a lot to listen to Korean songs and watch Korean dramas because it allows you to know correct pronunciation and learn the flow of normal conversations. Books would teach you a lot, but sometimes using sentences learned from the book do not sound natural when spoken.
In the span of three years, I haven't improved much. But this year, I promised myself I would try harder. What I learned would just go to waste if I won't continue honing my skills. It's fun and interesting to learn a new language because it's not just the language per se that you get to understand and appreciate but the culture as well. Korean culture is very much reflected in its very unique and systematic language.
I am looking forward to the day when I could finally understand Korean movies without subtitles. And talk to my Korean friends without any language barrier. :)
Han-kuk-eo-reul kong-bu-ham-ni-da. I am studying Korean.
Na-neun hak-saeng im-ni-da. I am a student.
Geu-ri-go, seon-saeng-nim im-ni-da. And I am a teacher.
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