Learning in Singapore

I first thought that it’s kind of odd learning Korean in Singapore. I should be learning the official languages while I'm here, right? I should be studying Chinese Mandarin, Malay or Tamil language instead of Korean.

Well, I have plans studying Chinese Mandarin and Japanese but not after 2-3 years. Since I already acquired basic foundation with the Korean language, I might as well resume studying it. But this time, the motivation is different. If previously, my drive was to study the foreign language as one of the prerequisite to land a job in Korea; this time, it’s more of a personal goal. I plan to go Korea as a tourist when I’m confident enough to carry a conversation in their language.

However, if there will be a right opportunity for me to work in Korea, I might consider it as it will also be an opportunity to be totally immerse in the language. I might consider it because aside from learning the spoken language, I also want to learn the visual language of the Deaf in Korea. Why the interest in sign language?

Prior to learning the Korean language, I have learned the visual-gestural language of the Deaf community when I was in the Philippines. The opportunity came when sign language interpreters volunteered to teach the visual language in our hometown. The curriculum lasted 2 years but I learned the language mostly by immersion within the Deaf Community. Since then, I joined various Deaf awareness programs, accepted interpreting gigs and promoted Filipino Sign Language for many years.

Therefore, Korean language is my 4th foreign language. American English is the first, since it’s always our subject from Elementary to College. Second is Filipino Sign Language & third is American Sign Language, studied both simultaneously.


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