Pimsleur CDs always gets me speaking and understanding another language quickly. The pronunciation guides in most how to speak books/CDs in America stink (this one had pronunciations the way British people say the words, like l- is like "a" as in cat--I had to deprogram my brain from how I learned Korean sounds from that book!) and they all stink in town here. Due to the nature of the way sounds are made here, I think CDs are really the only way to go. I couldn't pronounce students' names to save my life and I know my name can't be easy for them!

There are podcasts I forgot, I found. Maybe it's students driving me crazy that makes me not enthusiastic to learn Korean or which makes me forget words quickly when I try. I do empathize with the students about the fear of making mistakes in public. I only don't give them English names because they may think I am being disinterested in them, so I try then (and I try the "Hello"s and "Thank you"s in Korean elsewhere).

If Korea does have an inferiority complex, as I've heard, I can empathize with that as well, as I feel the burn of not having teaching experience. I don't mind the curious looks. I just have little self-esteem. I usually take things out on myself and/or forums (laughing), but I've been working on the latter as I can be a real SOB on forums if I'm not careful.

Thanks!
Phil

BTW the website has a 30 minute sampler for Korean to English if you want to show your boss.

Most military are only here a year, and feel it is a waste of time to really learn to do more than speak a few words. Generally that is true. I believe, based on my 10 years in country, that a teacher will do well to learn from a local person. Don't spend money on CD's. You will get more confused, as you already found out. Make a friend and talk often. All you need is a copy of the alphabet and learn to read first. Believe me. Then continue conversation. Most college students want desperately to have an English speaking friend and will teach you if you teach her/him! Ask around.