Motivation
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New Korean books, new motivation
I haven’t been updating the blog for a while, but don’t take this as a sign that I haven’t been studying Korean. In fact, I’m probably studying harder than ever. I recently received books 9 and 10 in the Integrated Korean series. Being the “high advanced” level, they complete the whole series. There are 10…
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When memorization makes sense
Memorization (암기) does not have the best of reputations in Western education. Teachers and lawmakers worship at the altar of creativity (창의성) and critical thinking (비판적 사고) instead. This is all well and good, but where is the creativity if you have nothing to be creative from? And how can you be critical of anything…
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Childish Korean
Since the past week has been spring break, you would think that I would have had plenty of time for studying Korean. Well, think again. On the other hand I have been spending plenty of time with family – both my own and my husband’s. Of course I have been cramming Korean for 3-4 hours…
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Dealing with the language learning plateau
Any language learner familiar with the awesome comic Itchy Feet will probably at some point have seen the one about reaching Mt. Fluency. I feel like that all the time these days. In many ways I do feel fluent in Korean. I mean, I’m able to express myself in almost any situation and when listening I…
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How I improved my Korean writing
누가 도와준 거예요?! “Who helped you write this?!” Those were the words greeting me as I picked up the phone when my LP called to give me feedback on an essay I had sent to him. 제가 알아서 썼거든요!!”No one, I wrote this alone!!” I exclaimed, not knowing whether I should feel offended at his accusation that I would “cheat”…
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What happened to my Korean study routine?
I used to have a perfectly planned study routine. One hour of reading in the morning, podcasts throughout the day, grammar points and chapters in textbooks to study in the afternoon and evening. It’s worked like that for a long time but recently it seems I can’t make myself stick to it. I’m still studying…
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When, how, and what to memorize?
Teaching is a significant part of my job and naturally, I want my students to do well when they enroll in my courses. That requires learning a lot on their own. After all, the four hours they spend with me every week is not going to cut it. I once heard a thought-provoking and even…
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Language tag
First of all thank you to fellow polyglot and awesome blogger Maria from Dedidated Polyglot for tagging me in this language tag. I’ll get right to answering the questions and hope you may find this post interesting. What would you consider your native language? Danish is my native language. It’s the language spoken in my…
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The power of reading (in Korean)
I recently finished my first book in Korean, and I’m now over halfway through my second one. I’ve really come to enjoy my Korean reading time, and I love the satisfaction that comes from seeing a newly learned word in a new context and immediately understanding it. In fact reading in your target language when…
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Uhmm… what’s it called… uh… dealing with Korean speaking paralysis
Once more I’m in the lucky position of having real Korean tutors in my life, and not only do I have one – I actually have three, which really comes in handy in cases where two people end up cancelling. Anyway, I’ve had four face-to-face sessions over the past few weeks and I really enjoy…
Sofie to Korea 