3 mistakes to avoid when learning korean

It is always fun and exciting when you start learning a language. You want to absorb it all at once but soon enough you realize that you have to follow certain steps in order to be successful, plus you can't 'learn it all at once'. The same applies to Korean.

Each language has it's own unique characteristics and in most cases patterns to follow whilst studying, along with it is some mistakes that should be avoided. Over the course of my learning Korean, I have unfortunately falling prey to some of these mistakes. I hope I can help you to avoid them or to not repeat them.

21 question tag – the Korean learner version

1. Why Korean?
I used to repeat words and phrases when watching Korean Dramas and then I moved on to writing it down. One thing led to another and I was learning hangul. The rest is history...

2 . Daum or Naver (dictionary I mean)?
Naver! Recently started using it a lot and it has been awesome so far. Never tried Daum but I might give it a go.

3. First website that you visit everyday?

My Blog aka my Safe Place :) then Youtube or Viki.

4. Best thing that happened to you? (related to learning Korean)

All the amazing opportunities and fantastic friends I've made along the way and of course Kpop Academy :) It all wouldn't have happened if I didn't start learning korean.

5. Ever regretted learning Korean?

Absolutely not!! I am falling in love with it more rather. I can't imagine my life otherwise now.

6. Most common feedback/question you get when you say you are learning Korean?

Why Korea? Why not french or spanish (Ughh sick of this question...why not Korea?)

7. First Korean food that comes to your mind?

김치 볶음밥 Kimchi Fried rice (I can never get enough of this)

8. Most overrated Korean drama?

Boys over flowers

9. Most underrated Korean drama?

A Gentleman's Dignity

10.Latest milestone in learning Korean?

Having a conversation with a Korean who spoke little English and I was able to keep up like 60% of the time. Getting there, fighting!!

11. Favorite Korean word / phrase?

진짜 Really

12. Name 3 people (fictional / real) who motivate / influence your Korean learning journey
G-Dragon: He is my favourite Korean artist and I would love to meet him someday. I want to speak in korean when that happens.

The Men of Abnormal Summit: It is a korean TV show with a foreign cast. They comment about evryday problems in Korea. They're all very fluent and it's very motivating watching them.

Korean self-study learners who have exceeded expectations. They all motivate and inspire me. I feel assured that I can do it too!!! Aja aja!!


13. Secret ambition / goal (relating to Korean)

Meeting and chilling with G-Dragon and having coneversations with him in Korean. Possibly moving to Korea and working at YG. Dreams are never too big right??

14. I want to sound like _____ when I speak Korean

Sandara Park or Yoo In Na

15. Best compliment received (for Korean)

Wow your pronunciation is really good. 

16. When is the last time you sat down and study Korean?

2 days ago...I'm being a really good girl this days.

17. Favorite textbook?

I've just used the Sejong Korean so far but I like the TTMIK Workbook and Sogang Korean which I find online.

18. Special people you met (online or otherwise) through Korean?

The friends I made through language cafe's and those I still remain friends with, they've inspired me and taught me a lot. The amazing guys at Kpop Academy, I had the best time with them. And also the people I met through this blog who are also learning korean or are interested in Korean culture. They all mean a lot to me :)


19. How has learning Korean changed you / your life? 

It has made me more open-minded about life and cultures. I have also become more adventurous. I eat lots of korean food and I'm surrounded by korean related stuffs everyday. I love it!!


20. Ever dreamt in Korean?
No, but I wish I will. It'll be fun I know :)

21. Single best thing about learning Korean?

Everything. It feels so good when I understand a word or when I meet a korean and they react to me speaking korean. I guess it is the feeling I get from absorbing Korea ❤

Why don't you give this a go as well, I would love to know what your responses are. You could leave a link to your post or just answer the questions in the comment :)

meera

LEARN KOREAN WITH KPOP #3: The 3 bears song from full house {HANGEUL+ROMANIZATION+ENGLISH}

I'm back with another episode of learning korean using music. Although this song is not a Kpop song, It is as popular as kpop songs to fans of Korean dramas. If you have seen the drama '풀하우스~Pul-hauseu' (Full House) starring the king of Kpop 비~Bi~Rain (BTW that is his stage name and now you know how to say rain in Korean) and the gorgeous and talented Song Hye Kyo. I find it easier to understand the language in nursery rhymes because it is at elementary level. I hope this is of some help to you. Have fun!!

Visit the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria

This centre was opened in 2010 to enhance friendship between South Korea and Nigeria through cultural and educational exchanges.  

With the growing interest in Korea across the globe, Nigerians are surely not left out. This was further indicated by a recent article on Korean dramas titled  "What do you think of Korean Dramas? Check out our Faves!" published on Bella Naija, the response was amazing. I had no idea that a lot of Nigerians have fallen in love with the sensational Korean dramas as well.

I remember the first time I found KCC, I was interested in Korea from watching K-Dramas and this led to me picking up the language. I was going to be in Nigeria over the summer so I went on my good 'ol friend google to find the address of the embassy so I could request for a language tutor. But lo and behold I found this precious gem of a place, you can imagine my excitement. I immediately emailed the centre and got a response from Mr Yoon who later became 윤 샘 (Teacher yoon) because he was the language teacher.

The traditional Korean Attire on Display at the centre

This was the beginning of my relationship with the centre and it became one of my favourite places in Abuja. It became a tradition for me to visit the centre the day I arrive in Nigeria regardless of how tired I am. When it comes to learning Korean my excitement is at an all time peak.

I digress...So here's what you need to know about their services..!!

[Review] Wagamama Japanese Restaurant Uxbridge

It is safe to say that every foodie, tom, dick, and harry have tried Wagamama. If you haven't, get on google and find the nearest one STAT!! So I suppose it is no surprise that I­— as well as most Brunelians (Brunel Uni students) and residents of Uxbridge, was excited for the opening of Wagamama in our dear town.

I waited with anticipation and planned on going to the opening but I unfortunately couldn't and had to keep putting it off, that is until tonight. I went for dinner with Gaya and a friend and to my surprise we had to wait for a table. I guess it is a smashing hit!! This might be because it's a Sunday night or because it recently opened, heck who am I kidding it is because it's Wagamama!!

We didn't have to wait for long but it was okay cos we got the chance to peruse the menu. One thing we noticed is that there's a difference from the regular menu and this one was limited  but most of the popular dishes were definitely on there (Calm down, there's a Firecracker ;). 

The sitting area was set out as the picture below and I liked it. It makes it comfortable whether you are in a group or alone. Plus I have a thing for East Asian architecture so I liked the way this was set up. The kitchen is an open plan setting and there are some stools around there as well. How nice to have your food prepared right in front of you (Note to self: try that out)

For the Love of Trot (트로트) Music.

My first encounter with Korean trot Music~트로트 was last summer. I attended the language class at the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, where I took part in the Sejong institute speech contest. At the event, my classmates and I performed Arirang and a trot song by Jang Yun-Jeong, (You might Know her from the reality show, The Return of Superman), called '어머나~Eomona' which translates to 'Oh My', an expression generally used by females kinda like 'Oh my goodness'. I remember clearly the day 샘 (short form for teacher)  played the song for the first time and told us about performing. She acted out the song for us and I thought 와우...재미있어 (Wow, it looks fun). 

The tempo was upbeat, the rhythm was nice and we were all bobbing our heads to it. We were all excited to perform it except for maybe the one male person in our class because it is perceived as a feminine song. 샘 mentioned that Koreans have a soft spot for this song and it has been a popular choice at noraebangs for years. I made it a point to ask some Koreans I met afterwards and they all agreed, with some even singing the song with me.

My first K-pop Concert Experience: Mini concert with Super Junior'sDongHae & EunHyuk.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the theatre was the stage. There was this huge lighting panels and bright lights with smoke and I thought, 'Yup this is it'!!! From when I got to the venue I could feel the general attitude and level of excitement, everyone was there because they loved Kpop and it was such a wonderful feeling being in that room. It was kinda like a community and this is where I belong...

Fans were handing out photo cards and banners and everyone was sharing kpop stories and asking about biases ( fave kpop idols) and what-nots. You could tell that the fans are very dedicated and this was not just a concert but it meant so much more...One of the fans designed a mini banner to celebrate the group's 9th Anniversary which was produced through Super Junior UK Fanclub and distributed at the event. The most surprising thing however is the demographic of the fans, as expected there were a lot of fangirls, but there were fanboys present as well as Mum's, Dad's and even Grandparents.