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.
Why Learn Korean With Language Learning Software
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.
Recommended Language Learning Apps for Korean
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is one of the most comprehensive language learning apps on the market. Created in 1992, the platform provides an immersive learning experience known for speeding up the studying process. The courses are well-structured and include grammar, vocabulary, listening, and speaking exercises – allowing you to learn how to speak and write in Korean fluently. While there is a course structure and a placement test, the app allows you to jump from one subject to another as you see fit. As an added bonus, Rosetta Stone comes with a built-in scheduler to book lessons with native teachers. Although this is paid separately, it’s perfect when you want to take a break from doing exercises.
Verbling
If you prefer to learn in a more traditional way, Verbling is an excellent language learning app that connects you to native teachers. Since the platform has professionals from all around the world, you can book online Korean lessons 24/7. The best part is that Verbling creates personalized course structures for its students by considering their starting point and objective. Of course, the platform also comes with self-studying materials for you to practice on your own time, either on the computer or on the go. These mostly include customizable flashcards or homework assigned by your tutors. And if you’re learning Korean to boost your career, Verbling provides certificates that look great on your CV.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is an audio-based language learning app, meaning you won’t be learning any grammar. Still, it’s perfect for anyone traveling to South Korea who needs to quickly learn the most important expressions. Being audio-based also means that Pimsleur is an excellent option for students who want to learn Korean while multitasking. More importantly, Pimsleur teaches the essential cultural nuances of South Korea, which you’ll need when interacting with the locals. If you wish to take it up a notch, then Pimsleur’s extra learning materials are the place to go. Here, you’ll find interactive games that use quick thinking, flashcards, and reading exercises.
The Challenges of Learning Korean
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.
Best Ways To Learn Korean Online
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.