I have been married to a Koran lady for more than a decade, but never have learnt more than two words of 안녕하세요(Greetings) and 고맙습니다(Thank you). Reason being my wife, hailing from Gwangju, have learnt my native language Hindi (Indian) as well as English on her own, without any contribution from me. Obviously I never felt the necessity of leaning this foreign language as I really visited Korea.
     However, this time my wife for her sabbath, decided to visit her hometown for relaxation as well to look after her aged parents. She would not trust me to live alone as a bachelor and dragged me for a long stay at Gwangju. As earlier, I used to have only short trips to Korea, basically to enjoy mountain climbing, I was wondering as how would I pass my time during a year plus stay.
     So my wife suggested me to learn Korean language at an institute, on researching, Chonnam National University was found the best choice, though the fee of $ 10,000 seemed prohibitive. However, the fee and the stay arrangements were somehow made by beloved wife, obviously for her own cause.
     I was under the impression that this winter one year intensive language course at the Language Education Center would be attended by senior people, who have to learn the Korean language for business or job (embassy). However, I was surprised that the bulk of students were youth and mainly from China, who were probably doing the said academic course, for passing the Korean Language Proficiency Test ─ basically to get a job in Korea, for reasons known to all. Majority of them had already undergone such training, but were repeating it to pass the said proficiency test.
     Unlike in my country, where first few days are spent only on introduction and admission formalities, here on the very day 1, the class started at sharp 09:00 hours. All the talking was done in Korean language (which only flew over my head like a babble. I remembered the bible passage, where people possessed by the spirit, speak in tongues, and I observed most of the students kept nodding their heads, demonstrating that they were understanding every word. I felt like a lost child and wondered if I would really last in my effort to learn the language, the script of which looked very beautiful, in perfect geometrical proportions.
     Then followed the classes on the script and to my horror, I found the language was based more on sounds (some of them very difficult to pronounce). Korean language has more vowels (21 against 5 of English language) than consonants. It is said that the foreign language can put into words even a screeching sound. The speed, at which the lessons were proceeding, was a nightmare to me and I told my wife that at this advanced age of 65 years, I would not be able to undergo this course, along with teenagers, who already, with Chinese background, were at home with the Korean language. Probably the ‘lost’ look on faces of 3 foreign students (Indian, African and a Vietnamese) gave signal to our 3 teachers who then started, translating few of important words in English.
     Later, over a period of one month, with innovation and ingenuity of our 3 lady teachers (all very young and attractive, and one of the reasons for my not abandoning the course), things looked comfortable. The Korean teachers not only are thorough professionals but have humility and understanding. Because of my being a “harabeojee” (grandfather) in the class of teenagers even the teacher paid due regard to my endeavor to learn a rather difficult language, at this advanced age and that too without any significant motive. One of the teachers, Ms. Song Mi, was found to be very humorous and easily mixed with the students, to ease the tension.
     Earlier, I used to wonder how King Sejong who invented this “Hangeul”, by mixing half Chinese and half newly introduced language could claim the language to be most scientific language in the world. But this rude (though not intended) comments by me, led to a ‘world war’ at my home, as my wife considered it to be a ‘blasphemy’ by me.
     Gradually, I learnt that the main ‘culprit’ for a foreigner, in the Korean language is the 받침 (last syllable and with the literal meaning of support floor, which results in adding endless decorations of 이, 가, 은, 는, 을, 를, 에, 예, 으러, etc.). If the student can understand and master this, the language can be learnt with more practice in speaking, than just silently reading or writing. Agreed, with varied terminology for a single word, the student has to stress his/her memory power. But then it is a universal rule for learning any foreign language.
     The worthy 선생님 (teachers) insisted upon more speaking practice and tests to make students abreast with daily lessons, and to desist students (most of them with no financial problems) from wasting long weekends, plenty of homework was given. A beautifully made CD was also given with the text book, to enable students to practice talking and pronunciation.
     I observed that the text books also have been prepared with lot of thought and research. It is a fact that the students have to leave their own/other languages at home, and converse only in Korean, as advised on the very first class to us. On analyzing, I further realized that probably this is the reason the Koreans though start learning English language from primary school level, but end-up in only knowing ‘Konglish’, as till lately, the English language was taught in Hangeul.
     My earlier complaint, as to why the text book of Korean language was not in bilingual, received the reply on its own (only fools like me, learn from own experience, than from others). Another thing noticeable is the close co-ordination between the 3 teachers. Each teacher knew very well up to where the earlier teacher has taught in the same topic. To further give impetus to learning and breaking ice between the students and the teacher, teachers volunteered to frequently visit the hostel of the students and interact with them for solving academic and personal problems.
     Besides above, 한국친구 (Korean friends) are deputed with students for conversation skills learning. These Koreans are basically students who are willing to share knowledge and is an excellent device for making up of the foreigners with the locals. To break monotony cultural trips to important monuments/places are also organized to educate the foreign students about the rich and varied culture of the island.
     I was under an impression that in comparison with my country, the university fee was prohibitive of the Chonnam National University. However, later checking fee structure of other private universities in the area, I found the fee paid for such a course, is a chicken-feed.
     The sprawling complex of the Chonnam National University of more than 6 decades is self- contained, including an affordable market for daily needs. The hostels are like luxurious studio apartment and ensure comfortable living. To make students independent and live within means students are afforded all facilities, special attention is paid to cleanliness by helpful and efficient staff. Surely an education for most of us, foreign students. In between I had given up but hats off to my worthy teachers who tactfully have helped us to maintain interest in the studies and not low down to imaginary fears or sheer laziness.
     Now I intend to pursue the full academic course of 4 years, than to be content with the basic course of one year. Surely, God has blessed the Koreans, especially the Gwangjuites with able brains, to compensate the country for lack of natural resources. No wonder this small country has its stamp, all over the world, for its beautiful script, food, courtesy and brain with brawn.

By Surgit Singh Puri, Indian Student, Regular Korean Language Course,
Language Education Center, Chonnam National University