Korean may seem intimidating, but it's one of the easiest languages to learn for native English speakers. The recent K-wave has increased the language's popularity, with more people wanting to learn Korean.
The two most important things to remember when studying Korean are Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and Hanja, Chinese characters used in Korean to represent meanings of words that don't have a Korean equivalent.
Besides professional courses, watching Korean-language media is a commonly sought-after way to develop your listening comprehension. It helps you understand different pronunciations, dialects, and accents.
If you're planning to live in Korea and make it your home for the foreseeable future, you will need to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking Korean.
It pays to learn some basic Korean phrases and vocabulary even if you're going on vacation or a business trip to Korea. There are plenty of ways to learn Korean, and we will look into some of the best ones.
What Is The History Of The Korean Language?
Today, Korean is spoken by more than 80 million people globally. However, it was once exclusively used in Korea and Taiwan. In the late 1800s, Koreans migrated to other parts of Asia in search of career opportunities. These Korean immigrants brought their language, eventually spreading to Japan and China.
As a result, these countries now have large communities of Korean speakers. There are two types of Korean: North Korean and South Korean. The North Korean language has several dialects that differ considerably, and someone from Pyongyang can't understand someone from Seoul without studying or being taught the difference in dialects that prevails throughout Korea.
The South Korean language has four main dialects; Gyeongsang dialect, Jeolla dialect, Hamgyeongdo dialect, and Pyeongan dialect (also known as Honam).
The Gyeongsang and Jeolla dialects share similarities with the standard speech patterns on T.V. news channels because they are commonly heard on those stations. The Gyeongsang dialect is more accessible for beginners due to its similarity with English.
The Hamgyeongdo dialect also shares many characteristics with English, such as sentence structure and pronunciation. It makes this dialect a good choice for English learners with little to no knowledge of Korean.
On the contrary, the Pyongan dialect sounds similar to Mandarin Chinese, so it might be difficult for learners who do not speak Mandarin Chinese. Korean is an agglutinative language meaning that words are constructed from pieces or morphemes. Prefixes and suffixes are added to an existing word to form new words.
Different schools teach Korean differently depending on their teaching philosophy, but most focus primarily on improving the learner's reading and writing skills. Superprof is a leading online learning platform that allows students to choose their preferred teaching style. However, whichever mode of learning you choose, ensure that the school does well with placement tests.
Is Korean A Beneficial Language To Learn?
Learning Korean is essential because it increases your exposure such as a new culture, social life, etc. Korea has a rich culture and history, with the Korean language being one of the oldest languages in the world
A moderate to professional understanding of the Korean language will make traveling to South Korea a more fulfilling experience. It can also help you learn the nuances of how Koreans think and see the world. Learning Korean can help open doors for new career opportunities that may not be accessible otherwise, i.e., without this skill set.
Jobs such as translators or interpreters are just two examples. Choosing a specific one will make it easier to decide which approach is best for you. The focus can be on learning just conversational skills, or you may want to delve deeper into learning how to read and write in Korean.
It is advised to make learning pronunciation and fluency your primary goal, as several many effective approaches cater to these goals. With each level, from novice to expert, new resources and unique challenges come with them.
What Are The Easiest Ways To Learn Korean?
If you are wondering "how to learn Korean?", here are some of the most prominent ways for beginners!
Watch Movies In Korean
Learning Korean for beginners can be challenging, and it's easy to get discouraged when you're just starting. If that's the case, watching Korean movies is one of the best ways to learn Korean.
Learning from scratch without prior knowledge of the language, movies can offer a tremendous beginner-level resource to increase your vocabulary and introduce you to some essential grammar concepts.
This is because they tend to focus on dialogue-based conversations instead of narrative storytelling, and you can learn at your own pace in a natural setting.
You will also find that many Korean dramas come with English subtitles, so there is no need to worry about not understanding what is being said or the context.
Use Apps To Learn Korean
Many US-based Korean courses are available for download and on-demand. However, for people who can't afford a Korean tutor that caters to their requirements and expectations, apps can be a great way to begin learning.
The advantage of using an app is that it's easy to navigate. With such platforms, you can learn at your own pace without worrying about being late or missing out on any information.
A disadvantage, however, is that it's not always possible to ask someone questions when you're unsure how something works, but this can also work in your favor because there is no pressure from anyone else. It's up to you to set your own goals, which can be a nice change if you've never learned Korean.
Take Korean Language Classes
It is better to take Korean language classes from a tutor who has first-handedly experienced the Korean culture. Such instructors are better able to offer an in-depth learning experience.
If you cannot find any instructors offering Korean language classes near you, explore Superprof. It is an online educational platform that delivers personalized learning from highly skilled Korean instructors.
There's no shortage of online information, from interactive games to movies and T.V. shows that teach you the alphabet and build up your vocabulary with every answer to free lessons that help make sense of grammar patterns.
The internet has plenty of sites that offer Korean lessons for beginners. You can also find podcasts that teach Korean or take a course in person at your local community college or university.
Learn Korean Vocabulary Words
When someone asks you to learn Korean vocabulary words, they expect you to increase your knowledge of the Korean language.
When you get a new word or definition that you might be unfamiliar with, make sure that you try and find a corresponding English definition or synonym so that you know exactly what the word means when people use it or talk about it.
If you're having trouble remembering new words, give yourself an English translation for each and then place the translation instead of trying to remember it.
If none of these learning strategies work for you, practice writing out all of your words from time to time because sometimes just seeing them on paper can help trickS your brain into admitting the information to the long-term memory.
Read Korean Books
The most basic way to learn Korean by yourself is to read Korean literature. There are plenty of people who think they don't have the time to start learning, but it's something that can be done with just an hour a day and a copy of a book you are interested in.
Learning other languages starts with teaching yourself to break down words, and reading is an easy way to start. After all, how often have you read a sentence without understanding it because you didn't know what the word meant?
You may not understand every word when reading a book, but looking up unfamiliar ones will teach you more than English-language explanations ever could.
Practice Writing Hangul
To learn Hangul, you must practice writing the letters in a notebook. You may also want to try copying the letters from the page, making sure that your copy matches the original letter for the letter. Eventually, you can set up a daily practice schedule for at least 15 minutes.
You can also find more resources on other pages and books that might help make learning more accessible if you're looking for extra assistance.
Hang Out With People Who Speak Korean
One of the best ways to learn Korean is by hanging out with people who speak it. Even if you don't have any friends who speak Korean, you can still make new friends by getting involved in online communities and forums where Koreans hang out.
The critical thing to remember when learning Korean through these avenues is that they'll be slower than courses at a traditional school or tutor sessions because they rely on self-directed learning rather than individualized instruction.
Get Immersed In Korean Culture
Another great way to learn Korean is to immerse yourself in the culture. You can do this in several ways, but learning Korean online via platforms like Superprof is a great option.
It will allow you to study anytime and anywhere, so when you want to watch a T.V. show or go to a movie and don't know what's going on, you'll be able to follow it easily. You'll also be introduced to many new words daily and get exercises and challenges designed by experts.
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Getting out of your comfort zone is one of the best ways to learn any new subject. You will come across many obstacles you won't have been prepared for, giving you a real-life feel for how daunting these new challenges can be.
This will help teach you the importance of planning, designing for what might happen, and building resilience by getting back up again.
Price Comparison Of Korean Language Courses
Here is a price comparison of different Korean language courses;
| Course | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular Korean | $289 |
| Intensive Korean – Part Time | $339 |
| Korean Language & K-Culture | $4,915 |
| Intensive (1 Lesson) | $215 |
| Weekend Korean Course | $347 |
| Intensive Korea | $339 |
| RK Korean Plus K-POP Course | $1,359 |
| RK General Korean Course | $1,128 |
| RK Semi-Intensive Korean Course | $1,194 |
| Regular Course | $201 |
| Intensive (5 Lessons) | $537 |
Want To Master Your Korean Language Skills With Superprof
Learning Korean has never been easier. You can choose various courses to suit your interests and learning pace, with many different teaching methods. It could be in-person, or you can learn Korean online to help you learn faster.
And if you have queries regarding learning which language will do you justice or have any other questions such as whether it is harder to learn Japanese or Korean—our experts can provide you clarity.
We have some of the best tutors on hand to provide high-quality lessons for any level or age group.
They will ensure that you progress as quickly as possible through different levels of the Korean language, from beginner to advanced speakers.
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