5 easy steps to start learning Korean 🇰🇷
Hi everyone 안녕하세요 여러분! After several work collaborations and trips to South Korea, I was greatly inspired to learn the language. As common wisdom goes, language is key to understanding a culture because it opens you up to understand the mindset, values and culture of a place.
So if you’re interested to learn Korean like I was, here are 5 simple steps to get you started.
The tips I’m sharing below will make your very first hours of learning easy and joyful 😉 — it’s been tried and tested by me!
⌨️ Step 1 / Learn the Korean alphabet with @korean__unnie
👉 Start with this video category about « mastering the alphabet », grab a notebook and at the end, you’ll know how to read and write (slowly). Amazing right?
From my experience, learning the language without knowing the Korean alphabet is simply not a good idea because the alphabet is foundational (as in any language) and skipping this step will create bad habits down the road. The good news is that just a few hours are needed to master Hangeul!
4 hours and you’re done! Check the Youtube channel of @Korean__Unnie on this link , the best introduction to your first Korean words and sentences.
Looking to brush up on your Hangeul pronounciation? Check out This video.
👩💻👨💻 Step 2/ Take your first free classes on TalkToMeInKorean.com
Go to https://talktomeinkorean.com/ and create an account for free to access all the courses! This website is highly recommended by almost all the Korean language learners I know. You’ll find comfort in that it’s very well designed and structured by levels 1–9.
There’s also good news if you’re an auditory learner (I’m more of a visual learner) — you can play their podcasts here on Spotify which follows the exact order of the lessons: https://open.spotify.com/show/72o7yWXWuGR3A1bsTjUXYd?si=vWJNGmAxTjOW7ng-pTFjdQ
📲 Step 3/ Learn and practice your first vocabulary with the Quizlet mobile app
It’s very easy to use this app to create your own vocabulary lists per category. It’s a great app to store new words and practice with, including personalized built-in quizzes and all! Next time you catch a new word you don’t want to forget, drop it into Quizlet.
A bonus on this app is that you can also access existing lists created by other users!
Here is the App Store link to download the app. And the Google one. (if both methods don’t show results, search on your country App Store instead)
🙋♀️🙋♂️Step 4/ Connect with locals and start chatting!
If you already speak a plethora of languages (or even just one) and are keen to pick up Korean 🇰🇷, then HelloTalk is for you.
Type this on your profile settings and you’ll instantly get connected with native K-speakers who are learning YOUR native language. Don’t be shy and engage conversations. There is a feature that corrects mistakes in the direct conversations to help you practice and get the best feedback for improvement.
The only downside here is that many people will not be quite active, so once you have a good conversation, it’s always better to switch on a more common texting app with your new friend.
Here is the App Store link to download the app. And the Google one. (if both methods don’t show results, search on your country App Store instead)
👩🏫 Step 5/ Register to Korean classes in your city
Based in Singapore, I signed up for classes at Sejong School, when the “beginner 1 term 1” had open: https://www.sejong.com.sg/courses/#/beg-1-term-1. The course will cost you SGD 340 per term, which represents 1:30 hour every week for 3 months. Great teachers and amazing experience!
I must say it gives guidance and structure, and helps you make sure you are on the right path.
However, if you think learning with a private tutor better fits your needs, I recommend you guys to have a look at TUTOROO, a platform to find the best tutor in your city that operates in Singapore but also in many other cities like Sydney.
Another personal ritual I’ve picked up is to catch up with my Korean friends. I have the chance to have a friend based in Seoul (hi Junie👋) who teaches me the grammar and conversation once a week by visio. Oh là là 😇.
😸 And of course, have fun and interact as much as possible!
It’s obvious right, but the more often you will listen, read, talk (and dream?!) Korean, the faster you’re going to learn. So make your learning experience fun with K-movies, series, K-pop songs lyrics, Youtube videos and the like! Go to the Korean BBQ restaurant of your city (it probably exists! 😅) and chat with the waiters and owners for extra practice 😉.
Need a break from working or studying? This channel is 2 friends from the UK and one is “trying” to learn Korean https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOgGAfSUy5LvEyVS_LF5kdw. Originally their channel hit it off through a British guy speaking Korean and showing K-culture to others mainly through food https://www.youtube.com/user/koreanenglishman.
Oh I almost forgot! For your ears, here is my Korean songs playlist on Spotify.
Et voilà! 감사합니다 😗
Any questions or feedback, or other tips and resources? Or simply want to share your learning journey with me? Write me a short message on my new IG account @thesojufrog
P.S: After several friends asked me how I started to learn Korean, I kind of wrote some advice on a little iPhone note. I’m happy to have shared it with you today in a more structured way. Take it as a beginner’s guide to learn Korean efficiently and independently!
P.S: Other great resources available on the blog of language guru Lindie Botes https://lindiebotes.com/korean-resources/
