Korean has gradually become one of the most popular languages, thanks to the increase in popularity of Korean movies, K-Dramas, K-Pop, and Korean culture. Due to the recent K-wave, people have started flocking to Korea for vacations, events, and job opportunities. However, this requires basic to advanced knowledge of the Korean language in order to interact with people and experience the rich culture.
However, everyone interested in learning Korean is often intimidated by the language's complexity. The reason is that Korean is a diverse language with various dialects, pronunciations, and accents. However, learning Korean is not a tough assignment, especially with learning platforms like Suerprof. Superprof is home to several competent online private Korean tutors. We will ensure to teach you Korean from a basic to a professional level in a short span of time.
What Is the Korean Language?
In this blog, we explore the best way to learn Korean and whether learning it for a non-native speaker is an uphill battle. In addition, we will shed light on helpful and practical ways to learn Korean constructively by making the process easier.
Korean is the official language of more than 80 million people in Korea. It is spoken in both north and south Korea. However, due to political conflicts, the language in both regions has undergone many vocabulary changes in the past 74 years. As a result, there are two types of Korean languages. –The Pyongyang dialect in North Korea and the Seoul dialect in South Korea.
The Korean language belongs to the Altaic group of Northern Asian Languages, which has many languages, including Turkish, Mongolian, and Japanese. The Korean language was invented by King Sejong, who personally wrote the Korean script (Hangul) in 1443.
The classic Chinese language has heavily influenced the Korean language. Many technical terms and 10% of the basic nouns such as a 'mountain' and kang' river' have been taken from Chinese. However, the Korean language has adopted its own writing system since the 16Th century. The language has been in constant evolution since its origin.
Korean is one of the oldest living languages and is gaining popularity as one of the most learned foreign languages today. Just like Korean people, their language is different but fun to learn. Learning the Korean language can offer you various gains, including;
- Easy to interact and communicate with Korean culture and people
- Open many work and business opportunities in the thriving region of Korea
- Excellent career scope with the emergence of many top-tier Korean companies like Lotte, Samsung, and Kia
- Say goodbye to subtitles if you are a fan of k-Pop and K-Drama
- It makes traveling to Korea easier and fun
- Learning Korean will phenomenally boost your brain power as it comprises complex writing and vocabulary requiring adequate concentration
- A deeper understanding of Korean traditions and customs
- A great chance to connect with billions of Korean speakers to grow your network
Wondering If It Is Hard To Learn Korean?
If you are fascinated by the Korean language and want to learn it, you might wonder if it is hard to learn. Well, Korean is a complex language with various dialects and scripts. It comprises complex writing styles and sentence structures. Moreover, this language has several connectors in a single sentence, making it long and difficult to interpret. While your brain comprehends the first half of the sentence, your native Korean friend would have already said five more sentences.
However, learning Korean is fairly straightforward, thanks to the accessibility of Korean media. Watching Korean entertainment and reading Korean literature will help you develop a basic understanding of the language and make it easier to build your proficiency with professional courses. Additionally, students can hire an online Korean tutor from Superprof to get one-on-one customized sessions to gain fluency in this language. Superprof has a unique approach to teaching our students by making the learning process fun and effective.
Like Japanese, learning Korean is also tricky due to the following factors:
| Factors | Reasons |
|---|---|
| Korean Alphabet | Unlike English, they are combined into syllable blocks. |
| Korean Grammar | The use of complex Chinese pronouns and verbs |
| Korean Vocabulary | Several words need to be learned to be able to speak basic Korean. |
| Korean Pronunciation | Several different and irregular pronunciation rules. |
| Korean Spelling | Words are written morphophonemically instead of phonemically. |
| Sentence Structure | A backward sentence structure is used. (subject-object-verb) |
How Hard Is It For English Speakers To Learn the Korean Language?
Learning a new language efficiently depends on several factors. One of them includes what your native language is. Since the maximum population of the earth are native English speakers or are fluent in it, they fear how difficult it will be for English speakers to learn a language.
Learning the Korean language is challenging for a majority native-English speakers. The reason is that there are many differences between the two languages. Let's compare some of them;
- The alphabet of English and Korean languages look and sound completely different from each other
- The English language uses consonant clusters, while the Korean language does not use more than two consonants
- The words of the English language are heavily dependent on stress and intonation. However, the word's meaning in Korean does not change with stress and intonation
- The pronunciation of words in English and the Korean language is very different
- The sentence structure in English uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) approach, while the Korean language undergoes a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) approach
You may notice that the Korean language is challenging to learn not only for English but also French and German speakers. This means that it may be difficult for you to learn Korean language if you speak a Germanic language.
However, the language is easier to learn for Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian speakers. The reason is the many similarities between Korean and other Asian languages as they all belong form the same group.
Nevertheless, with Superprof, you can learn Korean from world-class instructors at your preferred schedule and gain fluency in no time. Superprof guarantees to only provide you with the quality education that will help you both personally and professionally. Our personalized Korean lessons will help you master the language within months, if not weeks.
How Long Does it Take To Learn Korean?
Learning a new language is an exciting endeavor as it allows you to experience a new culture, interact with natives and explore new territories and opportunities. However, it demands adequate time and concentration.
Korean is a moderately difficult language. If you are new to learning Korean, you might have to spend a considerable amount of time practicing it in hopes of gaining fluency. It is estimated that an average student is required to dedicate 2200 hours to attain advanced level proficiency in Korean.
However, following the right approach can even speed up the process and make you as good as native Korean speakers in no time.
Five Effective Ways To Learn the Korean Language?
A smart way to learn challenging languages like Korean in less time is to hunt down effective methods. We have shared five effective ways to up your Korean learning game. Let's have a look;
1. Learn The Hangul
If you are wondering how to learn Korean, the best way to begin your Korean lessons is by learning Hangul. Learning the alphabet of a language with a different writing style from your native language provides clarity and makes the learning process easier.
2. Watch Maximum Korean Films, Dramas, and Content
It is time to fetch some popcorn and turn on your screens to binge-watch some K-Dramas and movies. Turn on the subtitles for a better understanding of the language and context. Not only are Korean films and virtual content entertaining, but they are also excellent sources for learning the language. The exchange of dialogues along with expressions will aid you in grasping the words and their meaning much quicker and more effectively. Watching Korean films offers more or less the same learning experience as sitting in a Korean language class.
3. Explore A Korean Dictionary
The dictionary is the best source to learn any language as there is a pool of words with meanings and explanations. Instead of wasting hundreds of dollars on lessons, it is better to self-learn Korean language through a dictionary and other similar tools. Moreover, using a Korean dictionary is necessary while learning Korean for beginners. This will ensure perfection and fluency in speaking the language.
4. Pay Heed On Konglish
Konglish is the term used to refer to the English-styled Korean spoken by the natives. This includes English loanwords that are appropriated into Korean. Although both languages contrast each other, many English words are not included in the language but are still used by natives while speaking Korean.
Therefore, you can start by learning Konglish words, as they are an easy way to dive into learning the Korean language.
5. Ensure Regular Practice
A significant stepping stone to learning the Korean language is consistent practice. Although it may seem challenging to learn Korean at first, you should not give up. Keep your spirits high and consistently practice what you learn on a regular basis. Over time, you will see the difference.
Want To Learn Korean With Superprof?
Students interested in learning this language can head to the web to learn Korean online. Several online resources, such as books, articles, and other content, can aid in gaining proficiency over time.
Moreover, you can also hire an online private Korean tutor, as this is one of the best avenues to learn this language. Hiring a private tutor ensures unhindered attention, flexibility, affordability, and an interactive session with your teacher. Learning a complex language like Korean requires adequate attention and concentration from you and your tutor. Therefore, hiring an online private tutor would be an effective way to learn Korean.
Hire an online private tutor from Superprof, the leading online education provider. We have years of experience in teaching students through the web. We use highly advanced technology to offer a smooth and glitch-free online learning experience.
We comprise a team of highly skilled Korean tutors with solid experience, verified reviews, and affordable per-hour rates. They run some of the best programs in the US to learn Korean.
You can rely on us to access world-class Korean teaching services as our main aim is to turn our students into successful professionals by delivering quality education.
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