Learning Korean Language

Hello,

I'm new here and I trying to learn Korean Language. It is a daunting task and I feel so overwhelmed. I want to hear some advice on how to deal with it, also any books that I can easily access. Thank you much. your help is much appreciated.

Hopeful

Re: Learning Korean Language

My advice is start here...

http://www.learnkoreanonline.net/freevids.

There you get a bunch of free videos taken from an actual class happening here, taught by a Canadian.  When he came here (in 2003), he was in the same position as you and studied himself to a position where he is now married to a Korean woman and they run their own business here teaching English, along with his online Korean course.

Definitely worth checking out.

Cheers...

Re: Learning Korean Language

Where do you live?

I can't speak for anywhere outside of Busan, but there's a Korean language center called KLIFF in Busan that offers classes everyday, 4 days/3days/2days a week, or once a week.

I went for a while when I first got here, and the classes were great. I plan to start again in October when my schedule changes. If you live in Busan, you should definitely give KLIFF a try. 

I should add.... they're affordable too. 

Also, you can try:

www.koreanclass101.com

www.byki.com (pick Korean and download the free EXPRESS software. It's really good for beginners)

or

http://www.korean-flashcards.com/  (to help you with vocabulary)

Good luck!


Re: Learning Korean Language

In my opinion one of the best online sites is that of Sogang university. I found it's structure a breath of fresh air after spending a fortune on books that seemed to be trying to teach me Korean not how it's used daily, but at it's most formal level.

http://korean.sogang.ac.kr/

Book wise there are good and bad, but I think as a foreigner you should really consider Steven Revere's 'Survival Korean' He is the first westerner to be awarded a masters degree in Korean language. So as a westerner he knows the problems we all face trying to learn the language. He also concentrates on every day Korean and various phrases and slang that you would never find in your average text book.

There is also a book of some 5000 words considered essential to know if you want to work toward some level of fluency. It's available in most bookshops and is pocket sized.

As well as KLIFF there is also PS Korean. As well as courses at various universities around town. Some are done once or twice a week for a semster, others you can do intensively full time.

Finally you may want to consider a private tutor or even language exchange.