Learn Korean with a Certified native Korean teacher, Phonetician (phonetic correction) ONLY WEBCAM

Find out more about Jaehan

• 1) Do you speak this language fluently because of your origins or because a teacher inspired you to learn?

  Yes, indeed. I was born and raised in South Korea.

• 2) Can you name a living, historical or fictional character that you think is the emblematic representative of the language's culture?

  If I had to choose one, it would be "King Sejong the Great." He did not discriminate against the common people and offered them opportunities, leading to essential inventions in Korean history. As a generous king, he found it regrettable that the people could neither understand nor write, which hindered communication. Therefore, he decided to invent a new alphabet called Hangeul, which allowed us to transcribe our words without relying on Chinese characters.

• 3) Is there a typical word, phrase, tradition or behavior in the language that you particularly like?

  We have a "pali pali" culture in Korea, which means "hurry, hurry." Koreans are known for their impatience. For us, everything must happen quickly and efficiently. However, Korean expatriates in Europe often need a lot of time to get used to life in Europe, where things generally happen more slowly. Similarly, European expatriates in Korea are often surprised from their first day in the country. However, due to our desire for everything to happen quickly, there can be some pressure on employees or workers. This cultural trait can sometimes be a disadvantage for those considering living in Korea and might make them reconsider.

• 4) Why does speaking this language matter to you?

  Korea is known in various fields such as cosmetics, PC games, technology, gastronomy, etc. Therefore, learning this language will allow one to experience Korea and better understand these different fields. The Korean language will also help in better understanding TV series, dramas, and songs, including K-pop. Finally, learning a new language allows one to discover a new culture, which is interesting in itself.

• 5) What is the main difficulty in learning this language and what can help the process of learning?

  I believe it's the fact that it is an agglutinative language. An agglutinative language is one in which grammatical features are marked by the assembly of basic elements called morphemes, with a morpheme being the smallest unit carrying a specific grammatical trait. In an agglutinative language, words are formed by assembling these morphemes, which, except in rare cases, are invariable. In Korean, to say "It would be a good idea," the following structure is used: "this + subject marker + which is good (in the present) + idea + verb 'to be' + possibility or probability marker + another verb to end + several endings depending on the relationship with the interlocutor, whether this idea is shared or not, affirmative or not." I think this is why it can be difficult. However, on the other hand, I believe it can be easy. For example, conjugation in Korean does not depend on the subject (there is no first/second/third person, nor plural/singular), and the tense system is relatively simpler. Unlike tonal languages, once you learn the Korean alphabet, you can read everything without any problems.

• 6) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your language learning or your days at school.

  For me, learning and teaching foreign or native languages is my passion. Everything around me becomes material for language teaching. For example, when I watch series or movies, I can't help but pause several times and take notes, thinking that this would be a great expression to teach, etc. Thus, an hour of fun can sometimes turn into an extension of my work time.

• 7) How has travel or a specific trip helped you to increase your skill and knowledge of the language?

  I'm delighted to share my travel experiences with you! I am a very curious person, eager to learn and discover new cultures. I have been fortunate to travel to more than 20 countries and visit over 100 cities, including more than 20 cities in France. During my travels, I have a preference for small villages, as I have a strong desire to know the daily life of the local people, rather than focusing on tourist attractions. I enjoy connecting with the locals, which is why I don't hesitate to learn the basics of the language of the country I'm visiting. Last time, for example, I learned Turkish, which was relatively easy for me because it is an agglutinative language like Korean. Thanks to my linguistic efforts, I was able to establish good relationships with the Turks, and they helped me a lot during my trip. Traveling and learning new languages have opened doors for me and allowed me to have authentic and enriching experiences around the world.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof in language?

  What makes me a Superprof goes beyond my ability to express myself in multiple languages. Here's why:
  I am passionate about foreign languages, and this passion is reflected in the way I teach. I approach each lesson with enthusiasm and energy, which stimulates my students' interest in learning.
  I enjoy sharing my linguistic and cultural knowledge with my students. I find it rewarding to see my students progress and acquire new language skills.
  I listen to my students and show patience, especially when they encounter difficulties in expressing themselves in the target language. I am here to encourage and guide them at every step of their learning.
  Being multilingual and having learned more than ten languages, I understand the challenges that foreign language learners may face. I know their needs and expectations from teachers, which allows me to tailor my lessons to meet their specific needs.
  I am not just a teacher but also a daily friend to my students. I believe in the importance of creating a positive and encouraging learning environment. By talking with my students outside of classes, I build a relationship of trust and motivate them to practice the language informally.