Following the success of the initial Korean language course at the UV Centre d'Idiomes, we have contacted the course teacher, Hyun Lee Park, to ask her some questions that future students may ask when choosing to study Korean as a language.
- It is said that Korean, despite being one of the most difficult languages to learn, is one of the languages that has aroused the most interest recently.
The enormous soft power that South Korea has shown when compared with its neighbors has been the most determining factor: Korea realized some time ago that one of its strengths is the entertainment sector. Students who enroll in Korean usually do so because they are passionate about Korean culture in general or at least curious, so there is a predisposition that also helps them understand linguistic and/or cultural concepts with relative ease.
- Do you think that the furor for the style of Kpop music or series such as “The Squid Game”, have been called on when studying Korean?
Indeed, South Korea has stood out in recent years as an entertainment mecca. It has also come at the right time: with globalization, the Western world has been able to discover a world that was unknown and that has ended up attracting them in one way or another. But this is no coincidence: South Korea has Korean entertainment as a major part of its geopolitical expansion agenda.
- What do you think are the biggest differences between Spanish and Korean?
The best way to start is wondering what the biggest similarities are. Korean is a world apart, you have to think differently, and you also have to know how to reprogram one's way of thinking in order to understand such a different language. Having said that, I must say that my students have picked it up quite easily. This, among other factors, is because most show a special interest in Korean culture.
- Normally students from the Far East have a bit of a hard time learning Spanish, I guess the other way around it will be the same. What are the students at the UV Language Centre lIke?
I am very proud of my students. At first it seemed that the course contents overwhelmed them, but they are taking it on without problems. It must be borne in mind that first they have had to face a completely different alphabet and a very particular phonetics. Soon they will get to A2 and I couldn't be happier.
- At the moment at the Centre d'Idiomes UV we have the initial levels, but soon more levels will be opened. Do you think this will generate more interest?
I think so. There are already students who have basic notions that they would like to deepen them more in order to be able to speak it in a relatively short time. I know several students who want to go to Korea to study/work a for a period that, logically, show a keen interest in moving forward, according to what they tell me.
- Can anyone study Korean or do you need a foundation?
Anyone can study anything, even Korean. You just have to show interest and enthusiasm. I have had many students who came to class with very little self-confidence who in a couple of months ended up holding a basic conversation. If you want to learn Korean, you can.
- What is the hardest thing about learning Korean?
The student has to understand that he is facing a culture that sees the world differently, and this is reflected in his language. Many concepts do not even have an exact translation into Spanish, and at basic levels there is a lot of emphasis on explaining Korean culture, because otherwise, the teaching of the language is incomplete. It's about coming with an open stress-free attitude. What in the first class you do not understand, in the second class you will. If not, in the third or fourth.
- What is the best way to learn?
The first and most important thing is to learn the alphabet. I have seen many people who try to learn Korean without knowing how to read, and it never ends well. I would emphasise this point as the most important, and the second point for me would be to just have fun and not get stressed. I do not usually place much emphasis on watching movies and series in Korean because normally those who want to learn this language already do so.
- Do you think that studying Korean can open the doors to the labour market for students?
People usually think that this language is only learned as a hobby, or because you are a fan of some Kpop group, but the reality is that it does give a rather broad range of interesting work possibilities. Consider how fascinated Koreans are with the Western world: our football, our know-how, wine, etc. There are countless sectors today that need to hire the services of someone who is familiar with Korean culture, and this trend does not seem to be slowing down.
- Why do you recommend studying Korean at the Centre d'Idiomes at the University of Valencia?
I am aware that the Centre d'Idiomes at the University of Valencia has been working hard to open a Korean group, and I see it as a fantastic idea, because it is part of the University and therefore the means provided for teaching stand out from the rest. There are special prices for university students and it is a very interesting offer for the generation that is currently being trained.
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of studying Korean at the Centre d'Idiomes at the University of Valencia and what modality is recommended at the center?
I only see advantages! What better than the Centre d'Idiomes at the University of Valencia itself to encourage the learning of Korean culture and language. If I had to add a negative point, the only thing I can say is that since it is the first Korean course we are offering, everything is new: you have to create manuals, exams and test the first group to see what content and what speed to apply.
