HOW I LEARN KOREAN

I first started learning Korean 4 years ago, but I only learned the alphabets and I just
stopped. I started learning properly again in June 2014, but I only learn during holidays and it
wasn’t regularly. To be honest, my learning system was really a mess. I learned from TTMIK
2 levels and stopped, then I learned a few levels from Sogang websites and stopped, and the
same went with other websites. At first, self-studying might be really hard, because you don’t
know where to start and where should you go next. I thought of signing up for a Korean class
when I started, but it’s so far from my house so I didn’t. But as I learn, self-studying is really
fun! :>

WEBSITES:

•   Daum/Naver Dictionary
Instead of using Google Translate, you can use these two websites. Beacause, as we all
know Google Translate is not really accurate sometimes. (It’s also available on
iOS/Google Play)

•   Talk to Me in Korean
(http://www.talktomeinkorean.com)
It’s honestly the best Korean learning sites! It’s so structured, so you don’t have to be
confused about where to start, etc. You can also watch their videos on YouTube!

•   Sogang
(http://korean.sogang.ac.kr/)
It’s similar to ttmik, the lessons are also differentiated by levels. It also has some
exercises for each levels. I personally used this a lot!

•   Clare You & Eunsu Cho, Intermediate College Korean

(http://www.language.berkeley.edu/korean/10/)
It’s very different from ttmik and Sogang because this website doesn’t start from the
basic. But for you who have passed the basic stage, I totally recommend this website!
It’s good for hearing, too!

•   Click Korean
(http://lei.snu.ac.kr/site/en/klec/click-korean/index.jsp)
This website consists of 20 lessons. I personally didn’t use this often. So, I don’t really
know what to review… But you can try it! Hehe

•   zKorean
(https://zkorean.com/korean-grammar-and-vocabulary-reference)
It’s a website for Vocabulary reference. It also has some grammar lessons, but I don’t
recommend the grammar one… But the vocabulary reference is good, tho.

•   Life in Korea
(http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Language/korean.cfm?Subject=phrases)
 It’s a website for those who want to learn to speak Korean too. It consists of lessons
that teach you daily conversations in Korea. (+There are some vocabs too!)

•   TOPIK Test
(http://www.naldaramjui.com/TOPIK)
It consists of TOPIK exercises!

•   Korean Class 101

For those of you who are the auditory type, it might be really helpful for you! The
lessons are given via podcasts! So it might help you for the listening skill too!

•   Junior Naver
(http://study.jr.naver.com/donghwa/popularList.nhn)
It’s like a compilation of children storybook! TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS! The
storybook is presented in videos. So it really helps with your listening, plus it has
Korean subtitles!

•   Naver Webtoon
(http://comic.naver.com/webtoon/weekday.nhn)
Most of you probably are familiar with this, since this is quite popular lately. It’s Korean
comic and it helps you with the vocabs!

•   Naver Novel
(http://novel.naver.com/webnovel/list.nhn?novelId=4&week=SAT)
Similar with Naver Webtoon, but it’s the novel.

•   Hipenpal
(http://www.hipenpal.com/new/index.php?ln=en)
You can find Korean friends here!

RADIOS:

•   KBS Kong Radio

It’s available in iOS and Play Store! You can stream KBS radio programs with this app!
Here’s a tutorial for it: https://itsyouairene.wordpress.com/2015/05/31/tutorial-how-to-
use-kbs-kong-app/

YOUTUBE CHANNELS:

•   Ali Abbot
•   TTMIK
•   Eat Your Kimchi
•   ChoNunMigookSaram
•   Sw yoon à Korean Reacts to
•   SeoulSarang
TIPS:
•   Find a suitable website for you and use it as your main source.
•   Having Korean friends.
Personally, for me, because of school, I couldn’t learn Korean properly everyday, and
well, um, I’m quite lazy too… Like there were times when I stopped learning (except
from watching) completely for like half a year or so. Having Korean friends really help!
You can try some Penpal website/apps!
•   Be optimistic!
Self-studying is not impossible, guys!! Fighting! :>
•   For listening, I learn from variety shows and Korean dramas.

Sorry for the lame tips! I don’t really know what to say since my learning system is a mess.
But if you have any questions, like should you focus on grammar or vocab first, or you’re
having difficulties in learning some grammars, or how to memorize vocabs, or etc. Feel
free to ask me anytime! (via DM/Ask.fm) (I prefer via ask.fm so others can see it too! :>)

You can also drop your LINE/KakaoTalk ID in my DM/Ask.fm and I’ll add you if you
want! :>

Twitter: @M00NBEEN
Ask.fm: ask.fm/baghyun
LINE: @nkp4102v (with @) à I posted some lessons there :>
Instagram: learn.korean101

Good luck, guys! I hope this can help!

Lyn♥