Daily Busan
[INTERVIEW] Minjeong Kim wants you to learn Korean
We met Minjeong Kim, a skillful Korean instructor at BGCF.
The Busan Global City Foundation offers free Korean language lessons for international residents. Classes are offered in 15-week sessions and range from basic, phonics-level courses to advanced speaking. Since its launch in 2006, the program has grown from 76 students from 13 countries to 452 students from 50 countries in 2023.
Busan is Good spoke with Minjeong Kim, a Korean language instructor at BGCF with nearly a decade of teaching experience, about her insights into language education.
Q. What do you enjoy about teaching Korean?
A. I feel proud and fulfilled when I see students who initially struggled with reading and speaking develop into fluent speakers. I feel truly grateful when students thank me for helping them see that learning Korean is a stepping stone towards their goals, rather than an obstacle.
What is the most important aspect of teaching Korean?
Korean is unique in that a single phrase can carry multiple meanings. For instance, when someone says "이 음식이 정말 맛있네요" (i eumsigi jeongmal masinneyo), they are saying "the food is delicious," but the sentence also expresses that this is the first time they've tried the food or that they are surprised by how good it is.
Native speakers inherently know the difference between that sentence and "이 음식이 정말 맛있어요" (i eumsigi jeongmal masisseoyo), which also means "the food is delicious," but without any added meaning.
The nuance comes from the different endings, as "네요" typically expresses the speaker's personal appreciation. An online translator would interpret the two sentences as exactly the same, but native speakers know they are not.
That is a key focus in my classes: Introducing the nuances in expressions and encouraging students to create sentences using them in real-time.
Q. What are some characteristics of Korean learners in Busan?
A. Busan attracts a diverse group of international residents, each with different backgrounds, occupations and reasons for learning Korean. People come from all over the world - Asia, Europe, America, and Africa - each pursuing their own goals. However, they do share something in common: a curiosity about the Korean language and culture.
Many students are particularly fascinated by Busan's dialect. Phrases like "밥 뭇나?" (Bap munna? "Have you eaten?") and "어데 가노?" (Eode gano? "Where are you going?") intrigue them, as does the unique usage of "어" (uh) - which, depending on tone and pitch, can mean both "yes" and "no."
Q. How is the newly opened Busan Hangul Institute different from BGCF's existing programs?
A. While the BGCF Korean classes are open to all international residents, classes at the Busan Hangul Institute are tailored specifically for international students in the city. It provides career-oriented Korean language education to help them secure jobs and settle in the city.
The school offers practical programs, including resume writing and job interview preparation. There are intermediate and advanced TOPIK test preparation courses, as well as small-group conversation and writing workshops.
This is just the beginning, and we hope to see growing interest in the program as we continue supporting international residents in Busan.
Q. Do you have any advice for foreigners who want to learn Korean?
A. There is a saying: "Learning a language is like opening a window to another culture." The Korean language will undoubtedly reveal new perspectives and experiences you never knew existed. I believe that learning Korean can significantly broaden your horizons, so please do not hesitate to take on the challenge. I wholeheartedly support your determination to pursue this journey.
And, I hope to see you in one of our Korean classes!