Learning Korean is challenging but incredibly worthwhile. And no, it’s not just so you can understand what BTS and Blackpink are singing about without reading translated lyrics. Besides the usual benefits you naturally get from learning a new language, speaking Korean could be a great advantage for your future career, as South Korea has been considered the most innovative country in the world by Bloomberg. Plus, it’s an amazing place to visit where you can explore the sprawling city of Seoul, relax on the beaches of Busan, or enjoy the beauty of Jeju Island. If you know the language, you’ll have an easier time blending in with the locals and following directions – making your trip a more pleasant and stress-free experience. Last but not least, if you’re into online gaming, you can play Korean MMORPGs as soon as they’re released instead of waiting years for them to be available in the rest of the world.
There are many ways to learn Korean online, and there isn’t a perfect method that works for everyone. Instead, you should try different techniques and stick with the ones you enjoy the most. In fact, using a mix of everything is best to get fast results. For example, you might follow a traditional course for grammar, do flashcards for vocabulary, and stream your favorite K-Drama or sing along to K-Pop to improve speaking and pronunciation.
However, there’s one thing you’ll always need to use: language learning software. Korean is a unique language with its own alphabet (Hangul) and an SOV (subject, object, verb) word order. Additionally, South Korea follows strict social rules that you need to know by heart in order to speak the language correctly.
Language learning apps will teach you all this and then some. Better yet, they offer easy-to-follow course structures to make sure you don’t bite off more than you can chew. Some also provide official certificates for job hunting and built-in chats to talk with native speakers. Finally, several apps come with online classes for those who want to learn with a dedicated teacher.
Launched in 1992, Rosetta Stone has over two decades of experience in teaching students a new language. The result is one of the most thorough and effective language learning apps in the industry. The software covers over 20 languages, tackling reading, writing, listening, and speaking with an immersive approach. It’s so intuitive that we didn’t even notice we were learning new vocabulary.
While courses are on-demand, Rosetta Stone does provide 6-week personalized study plans that consider students’ goals. In addition to the usual classes and exercises, the language learning platform also offers live sessions with native speakers and expert tutors, interactive stories, an audio companion, and much more. Prices start at $10.95 per month, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to try out Rosetta Stone risk free.
There are many ways to learn a new language, and while self-service language learning apps have become increasingly popular in the past few years, nothing beats one-on-one classes with a certified teacher. Verbling provides an online platform where students can effortlessly connect with teachers worldwide to learn one of the 60+ language courses available. Since everything is managed by the teacher you select, your language course can be built according to your needs, ensuring classes develop towards your goals. The platform itself is entirely free, and you can sign up and get your first class without paying a dime. Afterward, you’ll have to pay the teacher’s hourly rate, which depends on the professional you choose.
Pimsleur was one of the first self-instructional language learning courses to hit the market. Back in 1963, Dr. Paul Pimsleur released his very first reel-to-reel tape with a Modern Greek course. Nowadays, Pimsleur offers programs for more than 50 languages. Though the time of reel-to-reel tapes is long gone, there is one thing that Pimsleur maintained: the Pimsleur method. By combining graduated interval recall, the principle of anticipation, core vocabulary, and organic learning, Pimsleur helps people speak a language in no time. It’s possible to get the various learning language courses by purchasing each level of the program, or by subscribing to a monthly billing cycle that provides full access. Either way, unless you get the CD version it’s possible to use the software both on desktop and mobile, or to download the lessons in MP3 format for offline use.
The first challenge you’ll face when learning Korean is the alphabet. The reason is simple: it uses a unique set of characters not found in any other language. However, since Hangul was created in the 15th century with the objective of being simple, it’s one of the easiest alphabets in the world. You’ll only need a few days to learn the Korean alphabet with a language learning app that teaches you how to write each character.
Another reason learning Korean is so difficult is its sentence structure. Like Japanese, Korean follows an SOV (subject, object, verb) word order that can be confusing to beginners. For example, in Korean you would say ‘I oranges ate’ instead of ‘I ate oranges’. Fortunately, most language learning software comes with grammar exercises to help you out.
South Koreans follow strict social rules, and the honorifics system plays a significant role in the language. This means that you have to learn several speech levels and know when to use the right one. So, it’s essential to learn about Korean culture and when to use formal and informal speech. Language learning apps that come with cultural lessons are key to truly understanding the language.
If you want to learn Korean, you’re likely into K-Pop. It’s possible to take advantage of your love of BTS or Blackpink to improve your Korean. Besides improving pronunciation by singing the songs, you can also learn new vocabulary and boost your listening skills by watching interviews in Korean. Plus, if you’re part of the fandom, you’ll easily find like-minded people who are either native speakers or learning Korean as well. In other words, you won’t have much trouble finding people to practice with.
But Korea has more to offer than just music. Some of the best shows ever made are Korean. A good way to expand your vocabulary and improve your speaking skills is by watching subtitled K-Drama shows like It’s Okay To Not Be Okay or Vagabond on Netflix. Alternatively, you can watch award-winning Korean films like The Handmaiden and Parasite. And you can always use a VPN to access content that may be blocked in your region. If you’re into literature, South Korea also has some of the best comics in the world, called manhwa – an important part of Korean culture.
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