I started listening to Korean music and taking Korean calligraphy classes. I made flashcards and studied them on bus rides when I traveled.
I started improving little by little. In winter, I finally had a real test of my Korean abilities--my family came to visit me from the United States! No one in my family speaks Korean, so it was up to me to lead the way. I called taxis, ordered food and asked for directions. I led my family around Korean marketplaces and helped them barter. Even though I knew I had a long way to go, I realized how far I had come since I first came to Korea. I was able to navigate through Korea using what I had learned, and knowing this made me more motivated than ever to keep improving!
Learning a language or any new task usually isn't easy. In fact, Korean is one of the hardest languages for English speakers to learn. But learning Korean or any new language is a sign of respect for a culture. If I hadn't learned Korean, I wouldn't have learned as much about Korea this year. As a language teacher myself, I think studying Korean helps me connect with my students and empathize with them when they struggle with English. At the end of the day, I think when studying something difficult or trying to do a difficult task, it is important to remember your real goals. My goal with studying Korean is simple: I want to better connect with the people in Hwacheon. This goal motivates me to study whenever I can. I hope that I can continue learning Korean for a long time!
