expat_life
How did you overcome the language barrier while working in a Korean workplace?
P
Phạm Văn Đức🇲🇳
Jan 31, 2026
I am a foreigner who has passed the Korean language proficiency test TOPIK level 6 and has been working at my current job for a month. In the first week, I was shocked by the fact that my Korean language skills were not at a native level. Especially when colleagues were speaking quickly in everyday conversations, and when unfamiliar work terms were used, I felt like I was missing a lot.
I can relatively keep up in one-on-one conversations or meetings, but I often feel lost in the natural flow of conversations among colleagues. Have any of you experienced this situation? How did you overcome it?
Fortunately, the work atmosphere is good. I work at a company in Gangnam, and my colleagues are understanding and always willing to clarify if there is something I don't understand. I can easily follow everyday conversations as well. I didn't expect to have a perfect native level as a foreigner.
Please share tips or experiences on overcoming language barriers in Korean workplaces.
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