Intermediate Speaking Check-in: The Social Trend Discussion

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Intermediate Speaking Check-in: The Social Trend Discussion

Testing Lessons 1–12 — discussing social issues, expressing concern, and building an argument

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Iru Challenge Note

Discussing social trends and issues is one of the hallmarks of intermediate Korean. This check-in tests Lesson 8 (expressing social concern) in a cumulative setting that draws on everything you've learned — from sharing opinions to persuading, from empathizing to adding information. This is where intermediate speaking becomes real conversation.

점점 심각해지는 것 같아요. 제 생각에는 해결이 필요한 것 같아요. 게다가 더 늦어지면 어렵거든요.

(It seems like it's getting increasingly serious. I think a solution is needed. Furthermore, the longer it waits, the harder it gets.)

🌐 What This Check-in Tests

Social trend discussions require the full intermediate toolkit. You need to express concern (Lesson 8), share opinions (Lesson 1), partially agree or disagree (Lesson 2), stack supporting points (Lesson 3), express emotional weight (Lessons 9–10), and build a persuasive case for what should change (Lesson 11). This check-in puts you in a group discussion on a real social issue in Korea.

📋 The Scenario

You're in a group discussion — with friends or colleagues — about a social trend in Korea: 디지털 격차 (the digital divide) — the gap between those who are comfortable with technology and those who are not, particularly among older generations. It's a genuine issue you can feel strongly about in multiple directions.

Expressions you should be using:

걱정이 돼요 / 우려가 돼요 / 심각한 문제인 것 같아요 (Lesson 8)

점점 심각해지는 것 같아요 / 해결이 필요한 것 같아요 (Lesson 8)

제 생각에는 ~인 것 같아요 (Lesson 1)

맞는 말이에요 그런데 / 어느 정도는 동의해요 다만 (Lesson 2)

게다가 / 뿐만 아니라 (Lesson 3)

이렇게 생각해보면 어떨까요? / 왜냐하면 (Lesson 11)

뿌듯해요 / 보람이 있어요 / 답답해요 (Lessons 9–10)

🗣️ Speaking Challenge

A. Introduce the topic. What do you think about the digital divide in Korea?

<summary>Sample Answer

제 생각에는 디지털 격차가 점점 심각해지는 것 같아요. 특히 어르신들이 키오스크나 앱을 사용하기 어려워하시는 걸 보면 정말 걱정이 돼요. (I think the digital divide seems to be getting increasingly serious. Especially when I see older people having difficulty using kiosks or apps, I feel genuinely concerned.)

B. A colleague says: "요즘 기술이 더 쉬워지고 있어서 괜찮을 것 같아요." Respond with partial agreement and your concern.

<summary>Sample Answer

어느 정도는 동의해요. 기술이 개선되고 있는 건 맞아요. 다만 제 생각에는 기술이 발전하는 속도보다 디지털 격차 문제가 더 빠르게 심각해지는 것 같아요. (I partly agree. It's true that technology is improving. But I think the digital divide problem seems to be getting more serious faster than technology is advancing.)

C. Share why this issue matters to you personally. Use emotional vocabulary.

<summary>Sample Answer

솔직히 말하면 이 문제가 정말 답답해요. 어르신들이 도움을 요청할 곳도 없고, 생각대로 안 되는 걸 혼자 감당하셔야 할 때 마음이 아프겠어요. (To be honest, this issue is really frustrating to me. When elderly people have nowhere to ask for help, and have to deal alone with things not going the way they want, their hearts must ache.)

D. Add two more reasons why this issue is serious, using 게다가 and 뿐만 아니라.

<summary>Sample Answer

게다가 디지털 격차가 커지면 사회적 고립도 심해질 수 있어요. 뿐만 아니라 행정 서비스나 금융 서비스에 접근하기도 어려워지거든요. (Furthermore, if the digital divide widens, social isolation can also worsen. Not only that, it also becomes harder to access administrative or financial services.)

E. A colleague says: "개인이 스스로 배우면 되지 않나요?" Respond diplomatically.

<summary>Sample Answer

일리가 있어요. 개인의 노력도 중요하죠. 그렇지만 이렇게 생각해보면 어떨까요? 모든 사람이 같은 학습 환경에 있는 건 아니거든요. 왜냐하면 접근 기회 자체가 다를 수 있거든요. (That makes sense. Individual effort is important. But how about thinking about it this way? Not everyone is in the same learning environment. Because the opportunities for access can differ in the first place.)

F. Propose what you think should be done about the issue. Use persuasion expressions.

<summary>Sample Answer

제 생각에는 지역 사회에서 정기적인 디지털 교육을 제공하는 게 더 효과적인 것 같아요. 왜냐하면 반복적으로 배우면 더 오래 기억할 수 있거든요. 이렇게 하면 어떨까요? (I think providing regular digital education in the community seems more effective. Because when you learn repeatedly, you can remember longer. How about doing it this way?)

G. Someone shares a positive story: "저희 동네에서 어르신 디지털 교육을 했는데 반응이 정말 좋았어요!" React with joy and pride on their behalf.

<summary>Sample Answer

잘 됐다! 제가 다 뿌듯해요. 그런 시도가 보람이 있는 것 같아요. 뿐만 아니라 이런 사례들이 더 많아지면 정말 좋겠어요! (That's great! I'm proud for them. That kind of effort seems really rewarding. Not only that, it would be wonderful if there were more cases like this!)

H. Express the concern that without action, the gap may continue to grow.

<summary>Sample Answer

우려가 돼요. 지금 해결하지 않으면 더 심각해질 수 있어요. 해결이 필요한 것 같아요, 빠르면 빠를수록 좋을 것 같고요. (I'm worried. If we don't address this now, it could become even more serious. I think a solution is needed, and the sooner the better.)

I. Wrap up your position. Use at least three expressions from Lessons 1, 3, and 8 together.

<summary>Sample Answer

제 생각에는 디지털 격차는 심각한 문제인 것 같아요. 게다가 방치하면 더 많은 사람들이 사회적으로 소외될 수 있어요. 뿐만 아니라 이 문제는 기술의 문제가 아니라 사람의 문제예요. 해결이 필요한 것 같아요. (I think the digital divide is a serious problem. Furthermore, if left unaddressed, more people could become socially marginalized. Not only that, this issue isn't a technology problem — it's a human problem. I think a solution is needed.)

J. A group member says: "오늘 이런 주제로 얘기해서 좋았어요." Close the discussion warmly.

<summary>Sample Answer

저도 정말 좋았어요. 이런 대화가 보람이 있는 것 같아요. 솔직히 이런 문제에 대해 한국어로 얘기할 수 있게 된 것 자체가 뿌듯해요. 감사해요! (I really enjoyed it too. I think conversations like this are rewarding. Honestly, I'm proud that I've become able to talk about issues like this in Korean. Thank you!)

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Target Expressions — Lesson 8 + All Prior

Expression	Lesson
걱정이 돼요 / 우려가 돼요	8
점점 심각해지는 것 같아요	8
심각한 문제인 것 같아요	8
해결이 필요한 것 같아요	8
제 생각에는 ~인 것 같아요	1
어느 정도는 동의해요, 다만	2
게다가 / 뿐만 아니라	3
이렇게 생각해보면 어떨까요?	11
왜냐하면 ~거든요	11
뿌듯해요 / 보람이 있어요	9
답답해요 / 마음이 아프겠어요	6/10

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Self-Check

After each response, ask:

Did I express genuine concern (not just describe the issue)?

Did I use expressions from at least two different lessons naturally?

Did I respond to what the other person said, not just deliver a monologue?

Good social discussion is reactive — it builds on what others say.

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Discussion Tip

When discussing social issues in Korean, it's important not to sound like you're lecturing. Soften strong opinions with 제 생각에는 and invite others' views with 어떻게 생각해요? This keeps the discussion feeling like a conversation, not a speech.

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Keep Going!

Social trend discussions are one of the most valuable things to practice for real Korean fluency. Pick any topic you care about — environment, technology, work culture, education — and try this same format. If you can express concern, build an argument, and respond to pushback all in Korean, you're well on your way to advanced conversation.