When you’re taking Korean lessons, it’s great to have some study materials to supplement your learning. Here Korean teacher Keulin H. shares the best books to help you learn how to speak Korean…
Interested in learning Korean, but not sure where to start? A comprehensive, thorough Korean book can help you learn the basics.
Because Korean pronunciation is quite different than English, it’s essential to enlist the help of a Korean language teacher. If you can, try to find someone who is a native speaker. A Korean language teacher can help you learn grammar and pronunciation, and he or she can also explain language levels and cultural differences.
When you’re working with a Korean teacher, you’ll need some resources to keep you on track on your way to becoming a Korean master. In addition to old-fashioned textbooks, Korean language students also have digital and eBook options. There are some great resources out there, if you know where to look. Here are some of the best Korean books for beginners.
“Talk to Me in Korean”
“Talk to Me in Korean” is one of the best, most comprehensive Korean resources. The lessons are broken down into separate sections, or you can download them as one complete package. The lessons start at a very basic level, and progress to the intermediate level. There are also more advanced study materials like video clips and MP3s. Besides the workbooks, there are a number of additional e-books on various aspects of the Korean language.
“My Korean”
The “My Korean” series is provided by Monash University. The downloadable books start at the beginner level, and allow you to progress at a comfortable pace. These Korean books are available in PDF, and include worksheets and audio files to complement each chapter.
“Sogang Korean”
The “Sogang Korean” books are separated into three different levels, and help Korean students progress from language basics to more advanced concepts. Learn Korean through in-depth lessons, grammar explanations, and workbook exercises. The books come with CDs to help you improve your pronunciation and comprehension.
“Korean Grammar for International Learners”
Grammar is arguably the most important part of the language, so it’s important to develop a solid foundation as a beginner. Although “Korean Grammar for International Learners” is a very thorough resource, it’s an excellent beginner-friendly grammar guide.
“500 Basic Korean Words”
Verbs are essential in any language, and 500 Basic Korean Verbs is the perfect resource for Korean language students. This book will help you learn proper conjugation, usage, and pronunciation through lessons, examples, and audio files.
Bonus: Expand Your Vocabulary with Flashcards
Whether you purchase them or make them yourself, flashcards are one of the best ways to expand your Korean vocabulary. This Korean Flash Cards Kit includes audio files and can help you learn one thousand basic Korean words and phrases.
Remember, when it comes to learning, everybody is different, so it’s important to find the resources and study methods that work best for you. Use these Korean books to supplement your one-on-one lessons, and you will be well on your way to learning a new language.
Looking for some more books to add to your language-learning library? Here are five more Korean books you might like!
Keulin H. is a Korean language instructor in Severn, MD. He teaches in-home and online lessons. A native Korean and English speaker, he graduated from Inha University and spent four years as a Korean tutor for English speakers in Seoul. Learn more about Keulin here!
Maile Proctor