Getting real feedback on proper pronunciation, being able to practice speaking, and meeting other people who enjoy and admire the Korean language and culture has been very rewarding.”
Lisa, Korean student
Lisa Wells is a Vancouver-based fibre artist and retired graphic designer who turned her passion for Korean dramas and music into a language-learning journey. Through UBC Extended Learning’s Korean courses, she has built her confidence, improved her comprehension and connected with others who share her appreciation for Korean language and culture.
What led you to seek out Korean courses?
I am a big fan of K-dramas and the music group BTS, and I wanted to be able to understand the dialogue and lyrics without being so reliant on captions.
What was a highlight for you in the Korean classes?
Getting real feedback on proper pronunciation, being able to practice speaking, and meeting other people who enjoy and admire the Korean language and culture has been very rewarding. We are encouraged to chat with each other in every class, and I’ve even made some friends!
What surprised you about the classes?
I really appreciated how well the instructor explained the rules and norms of the Korean language. There are a lot of intricacies that didn’t make sense until someone explained them to me. For example, there are two sets of numbers in Korean, native- and sino-, and it was tricky to figure out on my own when to use which set. My instructor explained the rules clearly and succinctly.
How are you applying the Korean language skills you learned in your personal or professional life?
I’m not fluent yet, but I am getting a lot more comprehension when I listen to songs and watch TV. I’ve begun to be able to tell the difference between the captions and what they’re actually saying in some cases.
Who would you recommend UBC Extended Learning Korean classes to?
Anyone who is serious about putting in the time. For every two-hour class, you need to devote about six or more hours of practice time per week, and if you do, the results can be very enjoyable.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Learning a new language, especially one with a completely different syntax and writing system, can be a big challenge, but our teacher, Dongkyong Jung, is so supportive, good-natured and patient that she’s a perfect ally for such an undertaking!