새 학기, 새로운 생활A New Term and Current Life
Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe your current life — your school, program, living situation, and schedule — in fuller connected sentences than in Volume I.
- Identify and produce a topic chain: several sentences in a row about the same topic, using 은/는 once and omitting the subject afterward.
- Recognize and use expanded time and frequency words such as 요즘, 최근에, 아직, and 벌써.
- Connect ideas smoothly using the connectors reviewed from Volume I: 그리고, 그래서, 하지만, 그런데.
- Read a connected paragraph-length Hangeul text about someone's current life without romanization support.
- Introduce yourself and your current life to a partner or class, maintaining everyday polite -아요/어요 speech level throughout.
- Write a short organized paragraph describing your present situation, using topic chains and connectors accurately.
Communication Scenario
It is the first week of a new term. 라일라 has just finished Volume I of her Korean course and is now meeting a new classmate, 민호, in a slightly more advanced class. Instead of the short, simple self-introductions from the beginning of Volume I, 라일라 and 민호 now describe their current lives — school, living situation, daily schedule, and near-term plans — in longer, connected Korean.
- This chapter reviews and expands identity, routine, and existence patterns from Volume I rather than introducing an entirely new grammar system.
- The chapter's principal new focus is the topic chain: linking several sentences about the same person or topic without repeating the topic particle in every sentence.
- Hangeul remains the only script used for Korean text. No romanization appears in this chapter except where explicitly noted as pronunciation support.
Core Vocabulary
The vocabulary below supports describing current life — school, living situation, schedule, and general well-being. Items marked with a particle or construction note should be learned together with that pattern.
| Korean | Meaning | Use / Pattern | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 새 학기 | new term/semester | 이번 학기, 새 학기가 시작됐어요 | 새 + noun, "new ___" |
| 생활 | life, daily living | 생활이 어때요? | Sino-Korean noun |
| 계획 | plan | 계획이 있어요 | with 있어요/없어요 |
| 목표 | goal | 목표가 뭐예요? | |
| 관심 | interest | 관심이 있어요 | 관심 + 이 있다 |
| 취미 | hobby | 취미가 뭐예요? | review from Vol. I |
| 전공 | major (field of study) | 전공이 뭐예요? | |
| 학년 | school year / grade level | 몇 학년이에요? | counter-like usage |
| 반 | class (group) | 같은 반이에요 | |
| 시간표 | schedule, timetable | 시간표를 봐요 | |
| 동아리 | club (school activity) | 동아리에 들어요 | 동아리 + 에 들다 |
| 기숙사 | dormitory | 기숙사에 살아요 | |
| 자취방 | a room where one lives alone | 자취방에서 살아요 | |
| 이웃 | neighbor | 이웃을 만나요 | |
| 요즘 | these days | 요즘 바빠요 | time adverb, sentence-initial |
| 최근에 | recently | 최근에 이사했어요 | time adverb |
| 아직 | yet, still (not) | 아직 몰라요 | often with negation |
| 벌써 | already | 벌써 3주 됐어요 | |
| 계속 | continuously, keep on | 계속 공부해요 | review, expanded use |
| 서로 | each other | 서로 도와요 | |
| 함께 | together | 함께 공부해요 | more formal than 같이 |
| 우연히 | by chance, coincidentally | 우연히 만났어요 | |
| 적응하다 | to adapt, get used to | 적응해요, 적응했어요 | action verb |
| 바뀌다 | to change (intransitive) | 시간표가 바뀌었어요 | action verb |
| 지내다 | to get along, spend time | 잘 지내요? | formulaic greeting expands here |
| 신입생 | new/incoming student | 저는 신입생이에요 | |
| 선배 | senior (in school/organization) | 선배가 도와줘요 | address term |
| 후배 | junior (in school/organization) | 후배를 만나요 | address term |
| 동기 | classmate of the same year/cohort | 동기예요 | |
| 힘들다 | to be difficult, tiring | 요즘 좀 힘들어요 | descriptive verb; ㄹ irregular |
| 편하다 | to be comfortable | 기숙사가 편해요 | descriptive verb |
| 낯설다 | to be unfamiliar, strange | 아직 낯설어요 | descriptive verb; ㄹ irregular |
Receptive support: 개강 (start of a term), 휴학하다 (to take a leave from school) may appear in listening or reading with glossing but are not required for independent production in this chapter.
Pronunciation Focus
This chapter does not introduce a new sound-change rule. It develops the batchim, liaison, and intonation targets from Volume I into longer, connected stretches of speech, since this chapter's sentences are noticeably longer than typical Volume I sentences.
When several sentences in a row share the same topic, Korean speakers keep a light, connected rhythm across the sentences rather than pausing sharply after every one, especially when the topic particle appears only in the first sentence and is then omitted. Practice reading the sentences below as one connected unit, paying attention to liaison between 기숙사에 and the following syllable, and to the batchim in 생활 and 시간표.
저는 요즘 기숙사에서 살아요 · 아직 좀 낯설지만 점점 적응하고 있어요 · 시간표도 벌써 익숙해졌어요
Grammar and Sentence Pattern Review
This chapter reviews the core Volume I systems — copula, existence, everyday polite present, past, and connectors — and expands them into topic chains for fuller, more connected self-description.
Review: Core predicate systems from Volume I
| Function | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | 이에요/예요 | 저는 신입생이에요. |
| Existence | 있어요/없어요 | 동아리 활동이 있어요. |
| Everyday polite present | -아요/어요 | 기숙사에서 살아요. |
| Past | -았/었어요 | 최근에 이사했어요. |
| Contrast/connection | -지만, -고 | 낯설지만 재미있어요. |
These forms are not new. If any form above feels uncertain, review the relevant Volume I chapter before continuing.
New focus: The topic chain
[Topic]은/는 + [sentence 1]. + [sentence 2, no repeated subject]. + [sentence 3, no repeated subject].
Once a topic is introduced with 은/는, Korean speakers usually do not repeat the subject in the sentences that follow, as long as the topic remains clear from context. Repeating 저는 in every sentence sounds unnatural and overly emphatic in connected speech or writing.
저는 신입생이에요. 기숙사에서 살아요. 아직 학교가 좀 낯설어요.
I'm a new student. (I) live in the dormitory. (Things are) still a little unfamiliar at school.
Compare an unnatural repeated version with a natural topic chain:
- 저는 신입생이에요. 저는 기숙사에서 살아요. 저는 아직 학교가 낯설어요. Unnatural: repeats 저는 in every sentence.
- 저는 신입생이에요. 기숙사에서 살아요. 아직 학교가 낯설어요. Natural: 저는 appears once; the topic carries across the chain.
Repeat 은/는 when the topic changes, when you want to contrast two topics, or when enough sentences have passed that the topic needs to be reestablished for clarity. Within a single short paragraph about one person, one 은/는 at the beginning is usually enough.
Expanded time adverbs
These adverbs typically appear near the beginning of a sentence and help situate a topic chain in time.
- 요즘 많이 바빠요.I'm very busy these days.
- 최근에 기숙사로 이사했어요.I recently moved into the dormitory.
- 아직 이름을 다 못 외웠어요.I still haven't memorized all the names.
- 벌써 3주가 지났어요.Three weeks have already passed.
Practice — Building a topic chain
Combine each set of short sentences into a natural topic chain by removing unnecessary repetition of 저는.
- 저는 2학년이에요. 저는 전공이 한국어예요. 저는 한국어를 좋아해요.
- 저는 요즘 바빠요. 저는 동아리에 들었어요. 저는 매일 연습해요.
- 저는 기숙사에 살아요. 저는 룸메이트가 있어요. 저는 룸메이트와 잘 지내요.
Model Dialogue
Setting: The first week of the new term. 라일라 meets a new classmate, 민호, before class.
내용 이해 — Comprehension questions:
- Where did 라일라 move this term, and what is it like?
- Why does 라일라 say she has been busy lately?
- What does 라일라 say has made this term more enjoyable?
- Identify one sentence in the dialogue where the topic particle 는 is not repeated even though the sentence is still about 라일라.
Guided Practice
Complete each task using vocabulary and patterns from this chapter and Volume I.
- Write three connected sentences about your own current living situation as a topic chain (use 은/는 only once).
- Complete the sentence with an appropriate time adverb: ___ 기숙사로 이사했어요.
- Combine these two ideas with -지만: 학교가 낯설어요. / 재미있어요.
- Ask a partner about their major and one hobby using 전공 and 취미.
- Describe one change in your schedule using 바뀌다 in the past tense.
Listening Practice
Ask your instructor, a language partner, or a text-to-speech tool to read the following passage aloud. Listen twice without reading, then complete the tasks below.
민호의 새 학기
저는 민호예요. 이번 학기에 3학년이 됐어요. 전공은 경영학이에요. 저는 학교 근처 자취방에서 살아요. 최근에 새 동아리에 들었어요. 동아리 사람들과 벌써 친해졌어요. 요즘 시간표가 좀 힘들지만 재미있는 수업이 많아요.
듣기 과제 — Listening task: Listen and answer in English.
| 질문 | 답 |
|---|---|
| What year is 민호 in, and what is his major? | ______ |
| Where does 민호 live? | ______ |
| What does 민호 say about his new club and his schedule? | ______ |
받아쓰기 — Dictation: Your partner or instructor reads two sentences from the passage above, once each at natural speed. Write what you hear in Hangeul, then check your spacing and particle accuracy.
- (a sentence describing where someone lives)
- (a sentence using -지만)
Reading Practice
Below is 라일라's short introduction post for her class's new online group chat. Read it and answer the questions below. No romanization is provided.
새 학기 인사
안녕하세요. 저는 라일라예요. 2학년이고 전공은 아직 정하지 않았어요. 이번 학기부터 기숙사에서 살아요. 룸메이트가 있고 방은 작지만 편해요. 요즘 시간표에 적응하고 있어요. 아직 학교가 조금 낯설지만 새 동아리에 들어서 벌써 친구가 생겼어요. 앞으로 다 같이 잘 지내고 싶어요.
This passage combines identity, living situation, feelings, and social plans using topic-chain structure. Only vocabulary and grammar activated in Volume I and this chapter are used.
내용 이해 — Comprehension questions:
- What has 라일라 not yet decided?
- Describe 라일라's room, using her own words as a guide.
- How does 라일라 say she has already made a friend?
- Identify the sentence where 은/는 first appears, and note that it is not repeated in later sentences about 라일라.
Writing Workshop
This chapter's writing task is a short paragraph, 나의 새 학기 ("My New Term"), describing your current life as a connected topic chain.
- Introduce your topic. Use 은/는 once to introduce yourself with one identity detail (year, major, or role).
- Describe your living situation. Use 에서 살아요 or 에 살아요 without repeating the subject.
- Add a feeling or change. Use a descriptive verb such as 낯설다, 편하다, or 힘들다, and a time adverb such as 요즘 or 아직.
- Connect two ideas. Use -지만 or -고 to link a difficulty and a positive point.
- Close with a plan or hope. Use -고 싶어요 or -(으)ㄹ 거예요 from Volume I.
- Revise. Check your draft against the editing checklist below.
체크리스트 — Editing checklist:
- 은/는 appears once at the start of the topic chain and is not repeated unnecessarily.
- The paragraph includes identity, living situation, a feeling or change, and a closing plan.
- At least one -지만 or -고 sentence connects two ideas.
- Speech level is consistent everyday polite -아요/어요 throughout.
- Only Hangeul is used; no romanization appears in the final draft.
Speaking Practice
통제 연습 — Controlled practice: 학교생활 소개 연습
Practice saying a three-sentence topic chain about your current life aloud until the rhythm feels natural, reviewing the pronunciation targets above.
의사소통 과제 — Communicative task: 새 학기 인사 나누기
With a partner or in a small group, introduce your current life as in the Model Dialogue. After each introduction, the listener asks one follow-up question using 요즘, 최근에, or 아직.
혼자 하는 연습 — Solo alternative
Record yourself presenting your "My New Term" paragraph in five to seven connected sentences, using a topic chain and at least one connector.
Culture and Communication
In many South Korean schools, workplaces, and organizations, the terms 선배 (senior) and 후배 (junior) mark a relationship based on when someone joined a school, class, or organization, not necessarily age. A 선배 often offers practical guidance to a 후배 during a transition such as the start of a new term, though the closeness of this relationship varies by school, department, and individual personality.
Learners who repeat 저는 in every sentence are understandable, but their Korean can sound stiff or overly emphatic to a Korean listener. Learning to build a topic chain is one of the clearest ways to sound more natural at this stage, without learning any new grammar forms — it simply changes how existing forms are combined across sentences.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Error: 저는 신입생이에요. 저는 기숙사에 살아요. 저는 아직 낯설어요.
Correction: 저는 신입생이에요. 기숙사에 살아요. 아직 낯설어요. — once the topic is established, omit 저는 in the following sentences unless you are contrasting or reestablishing the topic.
Error: 기숙사로 이사했어요 최근에.
Correction: 최근에 기숙사로 이사했어요. — time adverbs such as 최근에, 요즘, 아직, and 벌써 typically appear near the beginning of the sentence, not at the end.
Error: 낯설어요. 그리고 재미있어요. (when the relationship is actually a contrast)
Correction: 낯설지만 재미있어요. — choose -지만 or 하지만 when the two ideas contrast, rather than defaulting to 그리고 for every connection.
Chapter Review
Section A — 어휘 (Vocabulary)
1. Give one word each for a place to live, a school activity group, and a school-relationship term introduced in this chapter.
Section B — 문법 (Grammar)
1. Explain in your own words what a topic chain is and why 은/는 is usually not repeated within one.
2. Correct the error: 저는 신입생이에요. 저는 기숙사에 살아요.
Section C — 독해 이해 (Reading Comprehension)
1. According to 라일라's group-chat introduction, what has she not yet decided, and what has already happened for her socially?
Section D — 쓰기 (Writing)
1. Write your "My New Term" paragraph following the Writing Workshop steps and checklist.
Section E — 말하기 (Speaking)
1. Present your paragraph aloud to a partner or record it, following the Speaking Practice guidance.
누적 복습 — Cumulative review
This chapter recycles identity, existence, everyday polite present, past tense, and connectors from Volume I, and expands them into topic chains and fuller current-life description. If any earlier form still feels uncertain, review the relevant Volume I chapter before continuing to Chapter 2.
Practical Performance Task
수행 과제
새 학기 소개 — Introducing My New Term
You will produce a connected spoken and written introduction of your current life, combining identity, living situation, feelings about the new term, and a plan, using a topic chain and at least one connector.
- Written: Write your "My New Term" paragraph from the Writing Workshop, including identity, living situation, a feeling or change, a -지만/-고 connection, and a closing plan.
- Spoken: Present the same content aloud to a partner or recorded alone, as in the Model Dialogue, and answer at least one follow-up question.
- Reflection: Write one English sentence identifying one Volume I system you feel confident recycling here, and one area of this chapter — such as topic chains or time adverbs — you want to keep practicing.
| Criterion | What is evaluated |
|---|---|
| Identity and living-situation accuracy | Correct use of copula, existence, and everyday polite present forms |
| Topic-chain control | 은/는 used once appropriately, not repeated unnecessarily across the chain |
| Time-adverb accuracy | Correct placement and choice of 요즘, 최근에, 아직, or 벌써 |
| Connector accuracy | Appropriate choice between -지만 and -고 for the intended relationship |
| Vocabulary range | Appropriate use of at least four chapter vocabulary items |
| Cohesion | Identity, living situation, feeling, and plan form a logical connected paragraph |
| Hangeul and spacing accuracy | Accurate spelling and level-appropriate spacing throughout, no romanization |
| Scope discipline | No structures used beyond Volume I and this chapter |
Answer Key
Grammar Review Practice — Topic Chains
1. 저는 2학년이에요. 전공이 한국어예요. 한국어를 좋아해요.
2. 저는 요즘 바빠요. 동아리에 들었어요. 매일 연습해요.
3. 저는 기숙사에 살아요. 룸메이트가 있어요. 룸메이트와 잘 지내요.
Model Dialogue — Comprehension
- She moved into the dormitory this term; she has a roommate and the room is comfortable.
- Her schedule changed, so she has been busy/disorganized.
- Joining a new club.
- For example, 룸메이트가 있고 방이 편해요. continues describing 라일라 without repeating 저는.
Listening comprehension
- He is a third-year student majoring in business administration.
- He lives in a room near school that he rents on his own (자취방).
- His new club members have already become close to him; his schedule is a little difficult, but he has many interesting classes.
Reading comprehension
- She has not yet decided on her major.
- Her room is small but comfortable.
- She joined a new club and already made a friend.
- 저는 라일라예요. is the first sentence with 는; later sentences about her do not repeat it.
Chapter Review — Section B
1. A topic chain links several sentences about the same topic; 은/는 usually appears once because repeating it in every sentence is unnecessary and sounds unnaturally emphatic once the topic is already clear.
2. 저는 신입생이에요. 기숙사에 살아요.
Section D — Sample "My New Term" paragraph
저는 라일라예요. 이번 학기부터 기숙사에서 살아요. 아직 학교가 조금 낯설지만 새 동아리에 들어서 재미있어요. 앞으로 친구들과 잘 지내고 싶어요.
Check that: identity, living situation, a feeling/change, a -지만 connection, and a closing plan all appear; 은/는 is used once; speech level is consistent everyday polite throughout; particles and spacing are accurate.
Looking Ahead
지금 할 수 있는 것 — What you can do now
You can describe your current school life, living situation, and near-term feelings in a connected topic chain, use expanded time adverbs, and read a paragraph-length Hangeul text about someone's current life without romanization.