여러분 안녕하세요. 토미입니다.
Today, I would like to introduce the top 3 worst ways to study Korean that you should not do.
Everyone should have their way of studying.
However, the 3 wrong ways to study Korean I will introduce today are typical patterns of inefficient study methods for anyone.
Moreover, this is a pattern that beginners, especially those who have just started studying Korean, tend to end up.
Based on my judgment, I have ranked this article’s top 3 worst study methods.
These are as follows.
Worst 3: Not outputting
Worst 2: Distracted studying
The worst: Not setting goals and plans
If you use the wrong study methods described here, please refer to this and reconsider your study methods.
If you do, you can study in the shortest possible time without wasting time or money.
Furthermore, I will explain what kind of study you should do, so please stay with me till the end.
Now, let’s look at them one by one!
그럼 시작할게요.
Worst 3: Not outputting
The third worst study method is not doing any output. This is indeed not good.
There is input and output in language learning.
Very few people are aware of this.
And most people only do input learning.
Input is the act of taking in new information, and output is the act of taking out as your own thing.
Reading and studying reference books is considered input learning.
You will see a lot of exemplary Korean sentences and answers.
However, your knowledge will remain useless if you are done with it.
For example, if you learn how to teach yourself in a textbook, most people won’t be able to introduce themselves even if asked to do so.
In other words, if you don’t practice using the knowledge you’ve taken in beforehand, you won’t be able to use it when it comes.
On the contrary, if you have practiced such output enough, you will be able to understand the meaning of what you have learned more deeply.
Therefore, as those who have taken my beginner’s course know, we read it aloud and try to pronounce it with our mouths after listening to a conversation in my courses.
Also, I always give the students homework to write a composition at the end of the course.
Once I show them my model answers, I ask them to write their sentences in their own words.
For the vocabulary homework, I don’t just ask the students to memorize the words, but I also ask them to try the quiz after memorizing them.
This is because students think they have memorized the words by looking at them most of the time.
You need to take the knowledge you have memorized and pull it out of your head.
Then, you can confirm whether you have acquired the knowledge by checking whether your understanding is correct.
Knowledge learned through input alone has a low retention rate, but knowledge learned through output has a high retention rate.
I’m going to tell you something important now.
“Output immediately after you input!” This is the hard-core principle of efficient language learning.
Worst 2: Distracted studying
The second worst study method that you should not do is distracted studying.
Distracted studying is like studying while watching TV or playing with your phone.
Humans cannot concentrate on many things at a time.
Therefore, studying while watching TV or playing with your phone is not studying.
Also, people’s ability to concentrate does not increase instantly. Still, it requires a certain amount of time, so if you study while watching TV, you learn without concentrating.
TV is not a problem if you don’t go to the room where the TV is, but it is more challenging to handle a smartphone as it is something you carry around all day.
Turn off your phone while studying and leave it in the next room if possible.
It is very important to keep distracting things out of your sight. Also, make sure to clean your desk first when you study.
Make sure that there is nothing on your desk that is not related to your studies.
It may seem obvious, but the best way to concentrate on your studies is to create an environment where you don’t have to think about anything other than your studies.
Of course, some people may find it difficult to turn off their phones or other devices because they may receive a call from someone important.
But for example, just putting it on vibrate and keeping it out of sight can be effective.
Try not to have your phone on your study desk as much as possible.
Also, the most controversial aspect of distracted studying is music.
Many of you might say that you study while listening to music.
Some people say that it helps them concentrate better.
However, although some people like to study while listening to music, I’ve never heard of many who have improved their grades by studying while listening to music.
If you are currently in the habit of studying while listening to music, try studying without listening to music for even a week.
Then, you can decide which one is better for your study.
Also, music is not a problem as long as you can hear it like a noise.
I sometimes study in cafes, and I don’t mind if there is music playing that I don’t know or am not interested in.
On the other hand, it’s not a good idea to study while listening to your favorite songs that make you want to sing along.
The Worst: Not setting goals and plans
Lastly, here is the worst mistake you can make.
That is, not setting goals and plans.
This is something you should never do.
Do you have a clear goal and a plan for studying Korean?
Most of you started learning Korean because you like Korean dramas or K-POP idols.
However, that is not a goal but a motive.
If you only use this motivation to learn Korean, you will lose persistence when the learning process gets complicated.
We can work hard because there is a clear goal in our efforts.
So, you should be excited to achieve the goal.
On the other hand, people who don’t have goals have a higher rate of setbacks than those who do.
Therefore, it is important to go one step further from having a motive to having a clear goal.
For example, an example of a goal would be “I want to be able to send a heartfelt letter to a K-pop idol” instead of “I’m going to study because I like ____, a K-pop idol.”
When you turn this motivation into a goal, your motivation goes up manifold!
At least, I’ve never met anyone who said they lost motivation after setting a goal.
You should set goals that you are excited about and want to achieve.
And there is one element that every goal needs.
It is a deadline.
Set a date for when you want to achieve the goal.
It is okay to start with something vague.
A goal becomes alive only when you put a date on it.
On the other hand, if your goal has no deadline, the probability of achieving it is low.
Next, let’s talk about planning.
Do you have a study plan?
For example, the reference book you are currently working on, what date do you plan to finish it?
With any learning, having a plan and not having a plan can make a huge difference in your study efficiency.
One of the reasons for this is to understand your current situation.
First, you need to figure out how much of a gap there is between your ideal self and your current self.
Then, if you calculate the number of days left until your target deadline, you will know how much you need to work on today.
If you are studying while keeping track of where you are in your study and while knowing when your ability is likely to improve, you will feel your growth.
However, if you don’t have a plan, you will be studying aimlessly, and just a little thing can make you less motivated and prevent you from continuing to study, especially if you are learning independently.
Another reason why you should set goals and plans is to make a promise to yourself.
We want to keep a promise that is made with someone.
It works the same way when you make a promise to yourself.
It is very important to put pressure on yourself in this way.
Of course, it also helps to declare your goals and plans to your family and friends.
It’s like a last-ditch battle, and you can do it because you feel like you have to.
And be sure to make it clear whether the goals and plans you set were followed or not.
For example, “By the end of the year, I will finish my beginner-level reference books and write a heartfelt letter to my favorite idol and send it to her/him!” Things like that.
This way, your goal includes a deadline and is more specific, which will help you study harder and more effectively.
Please make a goal and a plan for your study.
I chose this “goal and plan” as 1st rank because the most essential thing in studying is your motivation, not what textbook you use or who teaches you.
Motivation is so influential that it can outweigh even the study method, which is inefficient.
Therefore, I hope you will manage your motivation by setting goals and making plans.
That’s all for now. I’ll see you next time.
그럼 오늘도 행복 가득, 웃음 가득한 하루 되세요！ 한국어 화이팅, 화이팅, 화이팅！！
