I think it depends on your surroundings. I studied French throughout my elementary and highschool years, and I couldn't speak French afterwards - at least not well. I've lost almost all of my French now since living in Korea. All of my friends spoke English, my family was English, there was just no need for me to speak French. In Korea, every child is now studying English, but as soon as they leave the classroom they're speaking Korean again. With the background that you guys have in English, after living in a foreign country for a year, your English usually sky rockets. That is unless you only associate with Koreans in the foreign country. I think when you learn a language there are two things - your studying and your surroundings. Korean people get a lot of studying done in English, but of course their surroundings limit the amount of practice they'll get in a practical way. It's taking me a long time to learn Korean, but I've only just begun to really study it. I came into this country with no background in the language.
I recently met a girl from Armania. She studied Korean in Russia. When she came to Korea, it didn't take her long to be able to speak Korean fluently because she already had the grammar knowledge and now she has the right surroundings.
Don't be hard on yourself. English is a very different language from Korean. The important thing is that you're trying

shsong21,

Don't be too hard on yourself or Korean people. Learning a language is very difficult. It's even more difficult for you since you are not among English-speakers all the time or even in an English speaking environment. I bet if you lived in an English-speaking country for 16 years, you'd be jamming right now with long speeches and lectures in English on this forum!

It's not a matter of being dumb or smart, either. Some people just have a nack for language; some don't...kind of like good and bad drivers. I've met many Koreans who've lived in the states for many years and can't speak it well opposed to those who have never been out of Korea and speak it quite fluently.

Anyway, keep trying and don't give up.

Why not good at English Korean pepole ?
What do you think about this ?
What's the reason ?
Do you know that ?
I have studied for 16 years in English, but I still not speak to English.
Why I do not good at English ?

Thank you, Eddie !
English is my biggest obstacle to success.

[English is a very different language from Korean. The important thing is that you're trying]
Thank you very much, Agashi !
I always wish to your happiness and your Korean boyfriend.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU !

Here is the unvarnished truth about Korean English! Older Koreans first learned British English from Europeans. Then came the American "English". The Native Korean "Teachers" ,for too many years, taught poor pronunciation and incorrect grammar. There was no one to question them, and they were allowed to do a really poor job. In the early 1960's native Korean teachers were stealing money from students of all ages, teaching," Thesu ezzu a housu! Thessu ezzu where I leavoo! Are you leady to go? " There has been a lot of improvement in pronunciation with the influx of native speaking teachers.

Some of them teach British, American, Australian and Irish accents! But don't expect correct English, British or American. I am sorry to say that most of the younger teachers may be good at teaching conversation, but they admit on their blogs that they don't have time to teach proper grammar and spelling. They blame their schools. Personally, I find many would not be able to teach in America. One teaches students to end a sentence in a preposition! I inquired where he got his degree. The answer was,"We don't have time for that," and, "We teach conversational English". The lack of spelling ability in the blogs tell me there are still some teaching poorly-degree or not! He didn't answer if he had a degree. What am I saying? Don't try to learn American English conversation from a Native Korean. It is necessary to learn the difficult pronunciation of R's and L's and F's from a native speaker. At least don't pay for it. Free help from an educated Korean is fine for beginners, but not after a few weeks. Many Military Posts and Bases have qualified instructors who volunteer to teach free. Ask around.

I don't think the situation has changed much. I'd say it this way:

The Native Korean "Teachers," for too many years, have been teaching poor pronunciation and incorrect grammar. No doubt the influx of native speaking teachers has helped. But most of the native speakers coming to Korea to teach have no background in teaching, much less teaching English as a second language.

I think the biggest difference in the last twenty years is that hundreds of thousands of Koreans now travel overseas every year - many going to English speaking countries and staying for extended periods. And they have a great deal more exposure to English speaking media - television in particular. Think about how many channels you had 20 years ago: KBS, MBC, and a couple of others (AFN if you were lucky). English programs were practically non-existent. Now you turn on the tv and via satellite you can watch dozens of channels where the language is English.

Think about all of the English words that have creeped into the Korean language in the last 20 years. There are literally thousands of them. Where did they all come from? Not from the local English teachers. They come from television, internet, and other forms of mass media.

I concur with the comment on the ESL teachers in Korea. The majority of them were unable to find employment after graduating from college. The perception of the Korean system has some serious issues. When they first began recruiting for ESL teachers the only requirement was a 4 year degree. This 4 year degree could have been in any area and any college. Any reasonable person knows a 4 year degree only means an individual met the minimum requirements for the field of study. I have seen individuals w/o a degree outperform those with. I have also seen people with PhD who are challenged tying their shoes.

I would not disqualify an individual from being an ESL based on their country of origin. I know several Koreans who have an excellent command of the English language in oral and written communication. In fact they were actually better than some of the individuals where English was their only language. These individuals also enjoyed teaching English and their exuberance showed in their classes.

As I have posted previously to the same individual who posed the same question. The problem is in the system. The majority of the ESL students also attend several other classes throughout the week. Their only exposure to English is the short time they spend with the instructor. In almost every case they return to Korean media (TV, radio, newspaper, music, etc) The successful ones immerse themselves in topic when they have a desire to excel.

If you wish to improve your ability to write effectively then read more. If it is oral communication then speak more. Do not be afraid to make a fool of yourself. This is how we learn.

__________________

Chill

Hi..
Your posted is very impressive.
You look like know to many things about Korea.
Yes, you're right.
Korea will be change more than by television, internet and all mass media.
Korea is very small country, but Korea is very "dynamic country".
Why ?
Because Korea is very small.
But, We are never weak. Korea's history is very long.
We are have been in the past more than Columbus.
We are subjugated to China in 3 B.C.
Present, a half of China's land was Korea's land in old days(3 B.C. ~ 427years).
Do you konw ?

However, sometimes you really should end the sentence with a preposition. I don't know how the teacher you referred to was teaching writing or speaking, but sometimes the rules of the English language are more flexible than you would think. Churchill once exclaimed, "Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put. "

There are similar problems with the use of the plural “their” for a singular pronoun. Take for example:

“Everyone loves his own mother.”
“Everyone loves his or her own mother.”
“Everyone loves it’s own mother.”
“Everyone loves their own mother.”

Which of the four do you consider the most correct? Which do you consider the strongest sentence? I prefer the use of “their.” However, many grammarians would disagree, saying it is an incorrect form of English even if it can be found in Shakespeare or other great writers’ works:

God send every one their heart's desire!
[Much Ado About Nothing, Act III Scene 4]

There's not a man I meet but doth salute me,
As if I were their well-acquainted friend.
[Comedy of Errors, Act IV Scene 3]