Have you ever heard of Hallyu or “The Korean Wave”? Both terms refer to the same thing: Korea’s big opening to the world!
Thanks to people’s fascination with Kdramas, K-pop music and Asian customs in general, nowadays, Korea is one of the most important players in world affairs of any kind, from the music business, like Hybe Corporation, to ICT industries, such as Samsung.
And as experts assert that Korea’s influence in the world will continue to grow, a great number of people are considering learning this country’s language. The only problem is how to begin. After all, Korean has different syntactical combinations, sounds and alphabets!
Luckily for you, there are plenty of resources to give you a hand. And as we specialize in language learning and teaching, we have compiled the best Korean tools in a single list. Just keep on reading, and you’ll find everything you need to know about them.
As the number of Korean tools continues to grow, it’s becoming harder to choose the most suitable ones. But there’s no need to stress about this either. While making the list, we also took into account that students have many individual learning differences.
Thus, in addition to compiling the best Korean learning tools, we also divided these resources into various categories that can fit every learner’s studying approach. And to make things better, we also thought about revealing the secret to becoming a native speaker in little time. 의 시작하자!
As you probably know, learning a language is an enthralling ride that will expand your cultural and professional horizons. But, due to the amount of knowledge that you’ll have to acquire, it can also be tiring and time-consuming. Luckily, there’s a way to learn Korean at any place and any time you choose. We’re talking about using language learning apps. Apart from being more affordable than courses, and sometimes completely FREE, apps give you the chance to start practicing Korean with a variety of methods and unique features.
Although you’ll have to pay a subscription fee, it’s definitely worth it. Rocket languages sports a comprehensive Korean course, divided into distinctive modules that cover every single skill, from grammar to listening and speaking. It even includes a section called “survival kit”, where you’ll learn enough basic Korean expressions to visit this country and communicate with locals.
This app also focuses on developing skills but with a twist. Rather than hosting activities, HelloTalk is a language exchange app, where you can chat with Koreans to practice your writing and speaking abilities in real-life situations. What’s best, this app boasts text-to-voice and grammar recognition software to correct your pronunciation and written messages.
TenguGo deals with the teaching of Hangul, and it is one of the best apps for beginners. How so? Well, it includes audio and animated images on how to pronounce and spell the different alphabets, gives you an insight into the history of Korea’s writing system and access to quizzes and flashcards.
Although reading Korean news for a beginner sounds like an impossible task, with the help of Joongang, it’s actually easier than you might think. Featuring select articles on various topics, such as economy and politics, this app will allow you to read Korean news next to their translation in English, so you don’t get lost or lose time looking for definitions.
Many students seem to have an erroneous conception of dictionaries, assuming that these tools only provide the definition of words. However, dictionaries are much more useful and undoubtedly necessary to expand your linguistic knowledge. Yes, they will give you the definition of words, but they’ll also contain information on grammatical characteristics, synonyms and antonyms, pronunciation, meaning in–contexts, translations, and in the case of Korean, you’ll find information about Hangul and Romanized symbols.
Aside from featuring a wealth of definitions and examples, this dictionary also includes information on idioms, high-quality audio, a translator, an encyclopedia and a fantastic wordbook feature, where you can add useful vocabulary.
What sets this dictionary apart? In addition to a colossal database of 500,000 words and the ability to create lists, this dictionary allows you to make notes on your newly-acquired vocabulary too. And if that wasn’t enough, you can use it offline.
By using this dictionary, you won’t have to manually write words. Instead, you can snap pictures of symbols or romanticized Hangul to get the definition or translation you’re looking for in the blink of an eye. What’s best, you’ll also get to access flashcards and other multiplayer vocabulary games to test your knowledge.
Textbooks tend to be victims of misconceptions as well. Many students prefer to study with apps, because they believe Korean learning books only include traditional grammar lessons that don’t simulate real-life speech. If this is what you think too, we suggest looking at this list and get ready to be surprised. While your choice of books will depend on your objective, Korean textbooks boast a variety of fun and engaging activities to start or continue your language learning journey
If you’re planning a short visit to Korea and need to develop basic communication abilities, this is the book you’re looking for. Instead of having a structural approach to teaching, Mastering Conversational Korean includes everyday expressions and idioms that will allow you to talk to locals and survive your trip.
But maybe, you need a more pedagogical type of textbook. If so, Korean Made Easy doesn’t only have excellent reviews. It was created by a prestigious university (Sogang) and based on activities and topics featured in the Korean Language Proficiency Test.
Now, if you’re planning to become a proficient speaker, you should check this book. Unlike the other two options, this book covers every single level and skill into easy-to-digest explanations and activities. Furthermore, by purchasing the Complete Edition, you’ll also access nine audio CDs, a language Lab and games.
Another option to learn Korean is using YouTube. And the best thing about this tool is that it will allow you to immerse yourself completely in the language and enjoy a kind of classroom experience. That is you'll have a teacher, who’ll give you lessons of the Korean language with the use of interesting topics about locals’ customs and lifestyle. Are you ready to learn more about chestnut throwing, Kimchi, Shamanism and Seokguram? If so, take a look at this list of Korean learning YouTube Channels below.
This is an excellent channel for beginners, since it mixes traditional grammar rules, sentence structures and thematic vocabulary with how to apply this knowledge to real-life conversations with native speakers.
But if you’re preparing for the TOPIK test (Test of Proficiency in Korean), you should instead take a look at MasterTOPIK. As the title implies, this channel has only one objective, to prepare you for this examination with a variety of activities and topics, commonly featured in TOPIK exams.
Some people, however, like to feel that they’re in a classroom. And rather than having classes on very specific topics, like mock exam listening activities or basic idioms, they want to learn Korean with the help of teachers and lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. If this is your case, this channel checks all the right boxes.
And for those who are looking to test their Korean abilities rather than study, this channel will certainly come in handy. In Heechulism, you won’t find lessons. Instead, you’ll follow the adventures of an avid Korean traveler, as he explores his native country and talks about important topics, such as politics, religion and others.
But we know that excessive screen time can have a negative effect on people's health, like back problems, chronic neck and anxiety. Fortunately, there’s a way to take your lessons anywhere without the need of looking at your mobile phone or computer: Podcasts. With this tool’s help, you’ll be able to listen to exciting teachers as you take a stroll in the park, walk your dog, cook or do any other activity that you please.
And if that wasn’t enough, we have another tool that you might be interested in: blogs and sites to learn Korean. What’s good about this resource? Aside from being free, they also offer complete courses on Korean and very interesting information that goes past language and culture, like learning strategies, experience telling and Korean tools review.
Many students immediately get annoyed when hearing about exams. And we understand them. Throughout high school and university, tests are pretty much one of the main sources of stress. But taking exams yields numerous advantages as well. For one, it will force you to study harder than normaland thus learn faster. Another benefit is that it will measure your knowledge and give you a very good idea of what your strengths and weaknesses are. And if that wasn’t enough, passing these exams will give you access to an internationally recognized certificate to study, work and live in Korea.
One of the main reasons students procrastinate is their excessive use of social media. Rather than revising their notes or completing homework, oftentimes students spend an unhealthy amount of time watching trends on TikTok or their favorite influencer’s updates on Instagram. If this is your case, you’ll be pleased to know that you can turn these sites into a language learning tool. How so? Well, the best way to learn a language through Tiktok, Instagram or Facebook is to follow these users and start engaging with their content, like making or answering comments, trying their language challenges and contacting other followers.
Unlike all the other sections, this category doesn’t deal with language tools, such as study blogs. On the contrary, here, you’ll find out how to include everyday activities into your newly-acquired set of Korean resources. What’s best, these alternative teaching methods will allow you to develop more fluent written and oral skills and take your Korean culture knowledge to a whole new level. What are those everyday activities?
Most students know that talking to native speakers regularly will allow them to develop fluent speaking skills. But they’re missing something important. Communicating with locals has further benefits. It will give you the chance to adopt unique Korean cultural traits, which are key to native speakers' non-verbal behavior, for instance, South Korean’s inherent dislike of saying “no” and the fact that you should always use your two hands when passing an item.
But if you can’t find native speakers to talk to, you can also rely on Korean series, best known as, Kdramas. For instance, if you want to practice your knowledge of Korean legal terminology, you can watch Suspicious Partner, a Kdrama about a prosecutor whose life changes after meeting his new intern. Or if you want to learn about South Korean social issues, you can watch 花より男子 (Boys Over Flowers), where an impoverished but bright student faces the challenges of adapting to an elite school.
Now, let’s say you’re not that into series. Well, there’s no problem. You can also read books, including newspapers, comics or novels. Aside from developing your reading skills, this will also allow you to get a good hold of Korean customs and traditions. For beginners, we recommend Korean nursery rhymes. Intermediate students, in contrast, might want to look into YA fantasy novels, such as 구병모 (Wizard Bakery).
As we said before, when it comes to language learning, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Everyone has different learning preferences, and that’s why we compiled a list of a variety of Korean learning tools!
Now, as there is no exact science as to which of these tools will work best for you either, we also arranged a set of tips to get the most out of your journey. Let’s check them out.
At this point, chances are that you’re more than ready to learn Korean. In addition to a list of online tools, you also have numerous tips to confidently start or continue your language learning journey.
Yet, there’s one more thing you need to know about. While all these resources are helpful, nothing will ever replace the benefits of having a native-speaking tutor. Why so? Because, as they are experts in Korean language and educational practices, teachers will allow you to progress faster in your journey with a specialized program suited to your particular needs.
And How can you find the best tutors on the web? With none other than our help! At Language Trainers, we pair you up with the most qualified Chinese native-speaking tutors. And you can choose to have classes in your home or your office or teacher’s office. And if these places are not suitable for you or you require more flexibility, you can ask for online lessons through Zoom, Meet or Skype.
The choice is yours. The sooner you send us a quick inquiry, the faster you’ll begin your Chinese Korean learning journey. We hope to see you soon. 안녕!
