Prior to my arrival in Korea, I would take an intensive Korean course; My plan is to receive TOPIK5

I am trying my best to write the study plan for KGSP 2019. Hope that you guys can comment and help me figure out whats not good in my essay. Thanks a million to you guys~~

KGSP 2019 Language Study Plan

Question: Study plans to improve foreign languages(Korean, English, etc) required for taking a bachelor's degree course
BEFORE and AFTER you come to Korea.

My essay:
Prior to my arrival in Korea, I would take an intensive Korean course which lasts around 1,5-2 months and spend all my time to maximize my Korean language ability. I will start by learning the Korean alphabet, essential vocabulary and grammar. After that, I practice what I learn by listening to Korean songs with subtitles and reading simple books (children comics or manhwa) so that I will grow used to the words, pronunciation and structure of Korean language. As I get better, I would opt for more complicated sources such as news, movies and articles. Also, talktomeinkorean. is a good choice for me to improve my skills by conversing with native Koreans.

After arriving in Korea, I will immediately focus on studying Korean language. My top plan is to receive TOPIK 5 after 6 months of studying and start my degree in the Fall 2019 semester. This would obviously be a challenging task for me, but I believe it is possible with my solid foundation, effort and dedication. In this time, I will attentively join the chosen language class, and then study from extra materials (books, online videos, etc.). Some websites and applications for language learners such as Memrise or Italki would be of great assistance to me as well. I would also prefer to engage in some social activities organized by local residents and students in order to practice my skills in a natural way. During this time (from March to September), I will take the TOPIK test 3 times in May, June and August (according to the 2018 TOPIK schedule) to continuously evaluate my improvements and adjust my study method.

If the mentioned plan could not work, I would finish the 1 year language course, receive TOPIK level 5 and then attend the main course as normal.

During my 4 year program at university, it is compulsory that I continue working on my Korean. As all classes will be operated in Korean, I would have the opportunity to enrich my vocabulary with technical terms and academic words. The assignments and projects that require working in group would definitely enhance my overall language capacity ; and needless to say, I will converse and befriend with many Korean students at my university and other places through classes, clubs or student organizations.

My English proficiency now is at around upper intermediate level, so after I come to Korea, I will study to improve my English at the same time as I work on my Korean. Besides taking English classes in university, I would try to search for further study materials of my profession in English, as well as practicing frequently on all 4 skills by reading news, watching TV programs in English, updating my blog and so on. Moreover, I will make a lot of international friends at my university, and we could help each other with our language learning - not only Korean and English but maybe also other languages. At the end of my sophomore year, I hope to achieve a 7.5 or 8 in the IELTS exam, which is equal to C1 level.

Upon graduating my university program, I hope that I would be proficient in both Korean and English. I may strike up a conversation and discuss a topic freely with a native Korean/English speaker. More importantly, I would be able to perform all tasks related to my profession at the workplace, including making presentations, exchanging ideas and opinions about work, making reports, etc. That is my utmost goal when I study these languages.

@jimjimnie This is a very good study plan for both English and Korean languages. The fact that you knew to focus the discussion first on Korean is something that not all applicants remember to do. I have to say though, you don't need to add any information in parenthesis for these types of discussion. The reviewer already knows what you mean and you need not remind him in optional form, which is what the parenthesis is all about. It takes away from the academic tone of your presentation. Even without your scheduling reminders and types of learning material reminders, the essay remains strong and focused. It would be best to remove those references in the essay just to keep the reviewer focused on what you are saying rather than superfluous information contained in the parenthesis.

Overall, this is a well focused and highly developed essay representation of your language development plans. Save for some little details that need to be addressed, I would not change any of the major content that you are presenting in the essay. The whole presentation is based on logic, facts, and actual practice requirements. This is indeed, a very good job that you have done.

Mary, thank you a lot!! I am so happy that I receive your comment on my work, cause I am struggling with all the essays here and I have nobody around to help. A million thanks to you ~

And I am also working on my personal statement, which will be done in around 1 day. I really hope that you could read it too.

Love you~