I recently came across a Reddit post where someone struggled with the decision to learn Korean. Although the poster had a strong personal interest, their parents and friends argued that learning Spanish would be far more beneficial for their future career.
With Spanish spoken officially in 21 countries and ranking second globally in native speakers (2024 data), their argument made sense. In contrast, Korean is primarily spoken only in Korea and ranks 16th among world languages. From a purely career-oriented perspective, studying Chinese, Spanish, or English may seem like a more practical choice.
Why Are You Learning Korean?
Whenever I meet new students, I ask them a simple question: Why are you learning Korean? Surprisingly, very few mention career advancement. Most say something like, "I just love Korea," "I love the Korean language," or "I'm passionate about Korean culture." There’s often no grand plan or strategic reason—just pure personal interest.
One American student once shared that her grandmother was Korean. After several lessons, I asked, "Now you can speak to your grandmother in Korean, right?" She gently replied, "She passed away long ago." It moved me deeply. Her reason for learning Korean wasn’t tied to career goals or academic achievement. It was simply emotional—a personal connection she wished to preserve through the language itself.
The Pitfalls of Learning Solely for Academic or Career Reasons
In Korea, English education starts early, from elementary school, and continues through college. Yet many Koreans still struggle with speaking English fluently. I was no exception. I studied English solely for grades and test scores, viewing it as an academic subject rather than a means of communication. Instead of enjoying the process, I was busy memorizing answers and chasing the next high score.
Because fluency and real-world communication were not my goals, I found English boring and frustrating. It wasn’t until later that I realized learning a language should be about building connections, enjoying new experiences, and opening new worlds—not just passing exams.
Finding Joy in Language Learning
In college, I participated in an international exchange program where I met university students from Japan and China. We bonded quickly, even though none of us spoke English perfectly. After the program ended, I decided to study Japanese and Chinese—not for career benefits, but because I wanted to communicate better with my friends.
Some people around me thought it was a waste of time, especially as graduation approached. But a year later, I met those friends again. We talked in Japanese and Chinese, and it was one of the most rewarding moments of my life. That's when I truly understood: learning a language is not just about practicality. It's about connection, joy, and opening new doors you didn’t even know existed.
Should You Learn Korean?
➤ If you love K-pop, K-dramas, Korean food, or simply the culture itself, learning Korean will be an incredible experience for you. Sure, from a career perspective, Korean might not offer as many global opportunities as Spanish or Chinese. But if your heart is drawn to Korean culture, that emotional connection will fuel your motivation far better than practicality ever could.
Choosing a language isn't just about statistics or career prospects. It's about passion, curiosity, and joy. If learning Korean excites you, that’s reason enough.
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