Travel Korea without Koran Language
You will not have any problems at all without knowing the Korean language. I have been living in Korea for more than 6 months and even work at a Korean Burger Shop. I do not know the Korean language as well.
It is a very common question if you want to visit Korea but don’t know the Korean language, isn’t it? To speak frankly, you don’t have to face any major problems while traveling. In Seoul and other parts such as tourist areas, English, Chinese, Japanese, and other language translators are available. To travel in Korea, no language is required, but if you want to stay for a while longer than a few months, it would be recommended to learn Korean.
Problem while not knowing Korean Language
If you are traveling in Korea and you don’t know the Korean language, you might encounter some problems, but they are not very major.
- At food shops, you may face some difficulty when asking about the food items or the recipe from the menu, as they might not know English. So, make sure you have Google Translator or Papago Translator. However, in most tourist areas, you will be able to find an English-speaking salesperson. For example, I work at Burgers Almighty in Shinsegae Department Store, Myeong-dong. If any foreigners come, I help them out.
- Asking someone for information can be challenging. For example, if you are in a historical area of Korea and you want to know about the history, you may not find a person who can provide you with information in English, as English-speaking individuals are rarely found in Korea for that purpose. In such cases, you may need to explore information on the internet.
Some of the apps make your Korea trip more fascinating : Travel Apps for South Korea
Is Korea English Friendly?
Foreigners are always welcome in South Korea. I have found that Korean people are very approachable and willing to help. They are always there when you need assistance. Some might thing that you are not friendly as they cannot speak with foreigners, it is not true. Rather, Korean people may be shy to speak English as it is a foreign language to them. However, if you need any kind of help, they are always willing to assist.
For example, I was looking for a job interview and had trouble finding the shop. I asked a Korean person for directions, and they not only provided guidance but also walked with me for 15 minutes to help me find the shop. This experience illustrates the helpful and friendly nature of Korean people towards foreigners.
Can I easily find a person who speak English?
Getting a person who speaks English might be difficult, especially if you are not in a city area. Older people in Korea typically cannot speak English, but younger generations can. In my workplace, everyone can speak English, though they are not very fluent. However, we can understand each other. This reflects the increasing English proficiency among younger Koreans.
Can I get a job without Korean language?
It might be difficult to get a job in Korea without knowing Korean language, but you can still find work if you are lucky enough, like me :). However, some shops are very old, and older people work there; they may not prefer a person who cannot speak English. But in many areas of Seoul, you can find a job just by knowing English. Additionally, there are many areas where you can find foreigners from America, Mexico, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Poland, and other parts of the world. Areas like Itaewon, Myeongdong, Pyeongtaek-si, etc., are particularly diverse and welcoming to English speakers.
Most Spoken Foreign Language
- Japanese
- Chinese
- English
Related Post
Joining me for latest travel news, offers, and events
Stay connected on Instagram