Korean Language For Beginners: How To Get Started
So, you’re set to dive into the world of the Korean language? That’s a great decision! With its fascinating script and rich culture, this language is delightful to learn and explore.
However, if you believe that learning Korean can be overwhelming, don’t be, and don’t worry. These feelings and thoughts are natural when starting a journey of learning a new language. So, try to get a foot in the door and get started. Use this guide to navigate and overcome some of the initial pain points of learning the Korean language.
Enroll In A Korean Class
It’s possible to learn Korean without anyone teaching you. After all, the internet is already flooded with many resources you can use to learn the language. However, it’s still advisable to enroll in a class. Why?
There’s immense value in signing up for a Korean class. With one, you can receive expert guidance from an actual (and potentially native) speaker and a community of fellow learners you can speak Korean with. With them, you can have the opportunity to apply what you learned and improve your pronunciation, listening comprehension, and learn new words by frequently conversing using the language with them.
Also, a class can provide a systematic approach to learning and offers an interactive and engaging platform where you can ask questions and receive immediate feedback. Aside from that, most class instructors can provide you with regular assignments, quizzes, and interactions to keep you on your toes. And you and your fellow students can encourage each other to reach your common goal.
Tackle Hangul Head-on
Kicking off your journey into learning Korean begins with understanding Hangul, Korea’s alphabet and official writing system. While its letters may look complex at first glance, you’ll be surprised how easy they are to figure out because of how logical and streamlined the language is.
Like most alphabets in the world, each character in Hangul represents a specific sound. Also, most of these letters often have an English letter equivalent, which makes these alphabets quicker to digest and memorize.
So, don’t be discouraged by Hangul. Prioritizing how to speak words by reading words written in this alphabet can speed up your learning. Also, being able to read it can make your visit to Korea much easier if you’re planning a trip right now. Thankfully, plenty of online resources can help you break down Hangul into easily digestible parts.
Practice Pronunciation
After learning Hangul for a while, you might have already gained the ability to read Korean words verbally. That’s good, as your next step in learning Korean is to nail the proper pronunciation and learn how to enunciate the words.
Reading Korean words might feel a bit odd at first, as your mouth isn’t used to producing some Korean sounds. However, the key here is consistent and proper repetitive practice. Also, you may want to take note of the following tips:
Be mindful of the position of your tongue and lips when enunciating the words. Doing so can allow you to consistently replicate the proper pronunciation of Korean words, particularly the ones with the diphthongs—there are 11 of them—most of them uncommon in English or your native language.
To achieve proper repetitive practice, you should perform your drills and exercises slowly and clearly.
Record yourself speaking. Doing so can help you identify any pronunciation errors that you are making.
Following these tips can tide you through learning the proper pronunciation of Korean words. However, if you think you’re too biased to know your mistakes when hearing yourself speak, let someone else—a native, friend, or fellow student or learner perhaps—give you feedback.
Learn Key Phrases
You can’t learn everything and speak any sensible Korean on day one. Because of that, you should also prioritize learning key phrases. Remember that while you’re getting familiar with Hangul and pronunciation, knowledge of some essential phrases can make it easier for you to keep up with your instructor, natives, and your classmates.
This is crucial if you’re currently traveling or already living in Korea. Even if you’re a complete beginner, at least you can introduce yourself and say ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ or ‘sorry.’ Not only can this get you by in the country, but having primitive yet effective conversations with natives can definitely boost your ego and motivate you to learn more.
Wrapping Up
Remember, learning a language, particularly Korean, is a marathon, not a sprint, so take it easy. You’re embarking on a remarkable journey of learning and discovering a language 80 million people speak. Of course, it will be hard, but it’s a worthwhile challenge that, once mastered, will open up a new world for you. So, stay patient, stay consistent, and most importantly, have fun with it. You’ve got this!
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