Navigating school-related discussions in a foreign language can be essential for parents and guardians. This guide provides key Korean phrases and vocabulary needed for scheduling and participating in school consultations (학교 상담 – hak-gyo sang-dam) in Korea. Learn how to communicate effectively with teachers about your child’s progress, concerns, and school life.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 학교 상담
Pronunciation: hak-gyo sang-dam
Meaning: School consultation/counseling (This term refers to formal meetings between parents/guardians and teachers or school counselors.)
Basic Phrases for Scheduling
-
Expression: 상담 신청하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-dam sin-cheong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to request a consultation. -
Expression: 선생님과 상담 예약을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim-gwa sang-dam ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to schedule a consultation appointment with the teacher. -
Expression: 담임 선생님과 이야기하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: da-mim seon-saeng-nim-gwa i-ya-gi-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to talk with the homeroom teacher. -
Expression: 언제 시간이 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: eon-je si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: When are you available? / When is a good time for you? -
Expression: 다음 주에 상담 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-e sang-dam ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would a consultation be possible next week? -
Expression: 몇 시에 방문하면 될까요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e bang-mun-ha-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: What time should I visit? -
Expression: 상담 시간은 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: sang-dam si-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will the consultation take? -
Expression: 아이 문제로 상담 드리고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: a-i mun-je-ro sang-dam deu-ri-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to consult with you regarding my child’s issue. -
Expression: 학교에 전화해서 상담 예약했습니다.
Pronunciation: hak-gyo-e jeon-hwa-hae-seo sang-dam ye-yak-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I called the school and scheduled a consultation. -
Expression: 상담 일정을 변경하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-dam il-jeong-eul byeon-gyeong-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to change the consultation schedule. -
Expression: 혹시 온라인 상담도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si on-la-in sang-dam-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is online consultation perhaps possible? -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 있나요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any necessary documents?
Phrases During the Consultation
-
Expression: 저희 아이 학교 생활은 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: jeo-hui a-i hak-gyo saeng-hwal-eun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How is my child’s school life? -
Expression: 아이의 학습 태도에 대해 여쭤보고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: a-i-ui hak-seup tae-do-e dae-hae yeo-jjo-bo-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to ask about my child’s attitude towards learning. -
Expression: 성적에 대해 궁금한 점이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: seong-jeok-e dae-hae gung-geum-han jeom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have some questions about the grades. -
Expression: 친구들과는 잘 지내나요?
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-gwa-neun jal ji-nae-na-yo?
Meaning: Does my child get along well with friends? -
Expression: 수업 시간에 집중을 잘 하나요?
Pronunciation: su-eop si-gan-e jip-jung-eul jal ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does my child concentrate well during class? -
Expression: 특별히 어려워하는 과목이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi eo-ryeo-wo-ha-neun gwa-mok-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any subjects my child finds particularly difficult? -
Expression: 집에서 어떻게 도와주면 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: jip-e-seo eo-tteo-ke do-wa-ju-myeon jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How can I help at home? -
Expression: 선생님께서 보시기에 어떤 점이 부족한가요?
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim-kke-seo bo-si-gi-e eo-tteon jeom-i bu-jok-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: From your perspective, what areas does my child need to improve? -
Expression: 앞으로의 학습 계획에 대해 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ap-eu-ro-ui hak-seup gye-hoek-e dae-hae mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me about the future learning plan. -
Expression: 아이의 장점은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: a-i-ui jang-jeom-eun mu-eo-si-ra-go saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you think are my child’s strengths? -
Expression: 학교 활동 참여는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: hak-gyo hwal-dong cham-yeo-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: How is their participation in school activities? -
Expression: 더 신경 써야 할 부분이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: deo sin-gyeong sseo-ya hal bu-bun-i it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any areas that need more attention?
Discussing Concerns
-
Expression: 요즘 아이가 학교 가기 싫어하는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: yo-jeum a-i-ga hak-gyo ga-gi sil-eo-ha-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Lately, it seems like my child doesn’t want to go to school. -
Expression: 성적이 많이 떨어진 것 같아 걱정입니다.
Pronunciation: seong-jeok-i ma-ni tteol-eo-jin geot ga-ta geok-jeong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m worried because the grades seem to have dropped a lot. -
Expression: 친구 관계에 문제가 있는 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: chin-gu gwan-gye-e mun-je-ga it-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems there might be a problem with friendships. -
Expression: 아이가 특정 과목을 너무 어려워해요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga teuk-jeong gwa-mok-eul neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo-hae-yo.
Meaning: My child finds a specific subject too difficult. -
Expression: 숙제를 잘 안 하는 것 같아서요.
Pronunciation: suk-je-reul jal an ha-neun geot ga-ta-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s because it seems my child isn’t doing homework well. -
Expression: 학교에서 혹시 무슨 일이 있었는지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: hak-gyo-e-seo hok-si mu-seun il-i is-eot-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m wondering if perhaps something happened at school. -
Expression: 아이의 자신감이 부족한 것 같아 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ui ja-sin-gam-i bu-jok-han geot ga-ta geok-jeong-doe-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried because my child seems to lack confidence. -
Expression: 선생님의 도움이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: seon-saeng-nim-ui do-um-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need your help, teacher. -
Expression: 이 문제에 대해 어떻게 생각하시나요?
Pronunciation: i mun-je-e dae-hae eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: What do you think about this issue? -
Expression: 혹시 따돌림을 당하는 건 아닐까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si tta-dol-lim-eul dang-ha-neun geon a-nil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could it be that my child is being bullied? -
Expression: 아이가 스트레스를 많이 받는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-i-ga seu-teu-re-seu-reul ma-ni bat-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like my child is under a lot of stress. -
Expression: 어떻게 해결하면 좋을지 조언 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-gyeol-ha-myeon jo-eul-ji jo-eon bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please give me advice on how best to resolve this.
Korean Culture Notes
Respect for Teachers: In Korea, teachers (선생님 – seon-saeng-nim) are highly respected figures. When interacting with them, using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) is crucial. Address them as 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim) and maintain a polite and respectful demeanor throughout the consultation.
Parental Involvement: Korean parents are generally very involved in their children’s education. Regular consultations are common, especially before exams or when transitioning grades. Teachers expect parents to be proactive in discussing their child’s academic progress and well-being.
Gift Giving: While gift-giving culture exists in Korea, strict anti-bribery laws (like the Kim Young-ran Act) regulate gifts to public officials, including teachers at public schools. It’s generally best to avoid giving expensive gifts. A simple thank you card or a very small, inexpensive token of appreciation (like a beverage) might be acceptable, but expressing gratitude verbally is often sufficient and preferred.
Focus on Academics: School consultations often heavily focus on academic performance (성적 – seong-jeok) and study habits. While social and emotional aspects are discussed, be prepared for detailed conversations about grades, test scores, and strategies for academic improvement.
Group Consultations: Sometimes, schools hold group parent-teacher meetings (학부모 총회 – hak-bu-mo chong-hoe) or grade-level orientations. Individual consultations (개별 상담 – gae-byeol sang-dam) like the ones discussed here are usually scheduled separately upon request.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) calls the school to schedule a consultation with their child’s homeroom teacher (B).
-
Expression: A: 여보세요, [아이 이름] 학부모입니다. 담임 선생님과 상담 예약을 하고 싶어서 전화드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, [a-i i-reum] hak-bu-mo-im-ni-da. da-mim seon-saeng-nim-gwa sang-dam ye-yak-eul ha-go sip-eo-seo jeon-hwa-deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello, this is [Child’s Name]’s parent. I’m calling because I’d like to schedule a consultation with the homeroom teacher. -
Expression: B: 네, 어머님/아버님 안녕하세요. [선생님 이름]입니다. 네, 상담 가능합니다. 언제가 편하실까요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-meo-nim/a-beo-nim an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. [seon-saeng-nim i-reum]-im-ni-da. ne, sang-dam ga-neung-ham-ni-da. eon-je-ga pyeon-ha-sil-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello Mother/Father. This is [Teacher’s Name]. Yes, a consultation is possible. When would be convenient for you? -
Expression: A: 혹시 다음 주 화요일 오후 3시는 어떠신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-eum ju hwa-yo-il o-hu se-si-neun eo-tteo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: How about next Tuesday at 3 PM, perhaps? -
Expression: B: 네, 화요일 3시 괜찮습니다. 그럼 그때 학교 상담실에서 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-yo-il se-si gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. geu-reom geu-ttae hak-gyo sang-dam-sil-e-seo boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, Tuesday at 3 PM is fine. Then I will see you in the school counseling room at that time. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다, 선생님.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da, seon-saeng-nim.
Meaning: A: Yes, I understand. Thank you, teacher. -
Expression: B: 네, 그날 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-nal boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, I will see you that day.
Practice Tips
Preparing for a school consultation in Korean can feel daunting, but practice makes perfect! Try role-playing the conversation with a language partner or tutor~ Focus on the key phrases for scheduling and discussing concerns. Write down your specific questions or points beforehand in Korean if possible.
Listen carefully to the teacher’s responses and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification using phrases like 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo? – Could you please say that again?). Remember to use formal language and show respect. Good luck with your school consultations! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
