Genuine interest key to language learning

Eleven panelists from different countries appear on “Abnormal Summit,” a talk show on cable TV channel JTBC, to discuss the overuse of social media with three hosts and a guest. The program aired on Sept. 22. / Courtesy of JTBC

‘Abnormal Summit’ panelists stress importance of communication

Tyler Rasch from the U.S.

Daniel Lindemann from Germany

Enes Kaya from Turkey

By Chung Hyun-chae

Learning a foreign language is always challenging, especially when its components, such as syntax, word order and vocabulary, are entirely different from those of one’s mother tongue.

However, the 11 panelists on popular TV entertainment program “Abnormal Summit” on cable channel JTBC show that mastering a foreign language is quite attainable, regardless of one’s linguistic background. On the show, the panelists, each from a different country, discuss sensitive issues in Korea in the Korean language with remarkable proficiency.

Three of the panelists ― Daniel Lindemann from Germany, Tyler Rasch from the U.S. and Enes Kaya from Turkey ― told The Korea Times that the best way of mastering Korean is to have an affinity for Korea or Korean, which would naturally lead to a genuine interest in learning the language.

“At first, I became interested in Korean martial arts, which inspired me to study Korean in Germany,” Lindemann said.

“While learning Korean, I wanted to get to know people who speak that language and became interested in the culture associated with the language as well. That’s why I came to Korea as an exchange student,” he added.

Rasch, meanwhile, was attracted to the Korean language because it was so different from his native English language. It also helped him get genuinely interested in the Korean culture and people.

“I think each language has a different feeling. For example, the Korean language enables me to think like a Korean. I enjoy feeling the difference,” he explained. Kaya, who has been dubbed as a “Turkish confusion” owing to his conservative nature, which is apparent in “Abnormal Summit,” has been living in Korea for more than 10 years and has been married to a Korean woman.

Purpose of learning a language

The panelists’ motivations for learning Korean are different from those of Korean students, who have been studying English as a requirement for entering university or for getting jobs. Because such students are learning English out of obligation and not out of a genuine desire to learn, many of them still have poor English communication skills by the time they enter university, even if they have been learning the language for more than 10 years on average.

The three panelists said students will successfully learn a language only if they truly want to learn it.

Rasch said he found the English education method in Korea inadequate.

“English education here is very much exam-driven. It seems to me a modern version of a civil service examination of the Joseon Kingdom that gives scores according to English-speaking ability, instead of Chinese-speaking ability,” he said.

“Learning a language is fundamentally human; Language is an expression of a people’s culture and personality. But sadly, many Korean people ask me to recommend American dramas that they could watch to prepare for a TOEFL test two months later, not because they are truly interested in the U.S., or American culture,” he added.

His interest and knowledge of Korean history and culture, which is greater than those of many ordinary Korean people, has helped him master the Korean language.

Meanwhile, Kaya and Lindemann pointed out that the purpose of learning a language should be better communication. Keeping that goal in mind, they said, will help one master another language.

“I feel language classes in Korea is not alive because it is just mandatory for students,” Lindemann said.

“A Turkish proverb says, ‘If one is forced to eat something, he or she will have either a headache or a stomachache.’ The same goes for language learning,” Kaya said.

How to study Korean

Nothing can be attained without effort. That’s why the three panelists put in a lot of work to ensure a good TV show.

Rasch gave detailed advice on how to effectively study a language in one’s everyday life.

“I recommend exposing oneself to the language by creating an environment that’s conducive to learning. In my case, for example, I changed the language settings on my Gmail account to Korean so that I can get used to the language,” he said.

“I often listened to Korean podcasts and utilized applications that help memorize words,” he added.

In addition, whenever he came across interesting Korean words or phrases, he took note of and repeated them.

“As I decided to live in Korea and thus, wanted to converse with people without difficulty, I voluntarily, enjoyably learned Korean,” Kaya recalled.

He attended Konkuk University’s Language Institute for about one year to learn Korean systematically. But he didn’t describe himself as an earnest student back then.

“I preferred to learn outside of school with friends. I thought foreign languages could not be learned in a classroom alone,” he said.

“But only being talkative does not make you fluent in a foreign language. It should go hand in hand with reading and writing classes,” he added.

Lindemann also stressed the importance of comprehensive learning.

“It is important to put the notion of grammar in the background, as well as to expand vocabulary, in order to achieve clarity,” he said.

“You should not neglect any part of learning ― reading, listening, writing and speaking ― in order to attain a good command of a language,” Lindemann said.

How to adapt to foreign culture

Hard work is required not only in mastering a foreign language but also in adjusting to a different culture.

“The key is to accept it the way it is and to not try to change it or oneself,” Kaya said.

“I cannot drink because of my religion, so at first, I didn’t go to any drinking sessions. But I became aware of the importance of drinking parties in developing deeper relationships in Korea. So I tried to find other ways to get along with people ― I always order soft drinks at such events,” he said.

“My high school teacher told me not to be a ‘frog in a well,’ which means not to hold stereotypes about something. So when I experience different cultures, I try to accept their differences and never judge them according to my own standards. This helps me adapt to Korean life,” Lindemann said.