About 75 million people speak Korean, making it the 17th most common language in the world. South Korea’s economic growth has increased the demand for Korean speakers in global business, meaning taking Korean lessons can open you up to a plethora of both personal and professional opportunities.

Fortunately, it’s easy to get started with Korean speaking lessons. You can use your webcam to connect with a native speaker and start Korean classes right away from the comfort of your own home. Your teacher can help you achieve your linguistic goals in the most efficient way possible, giving you the personalized insights that only a private tutor can provide.

It’s a great idea to learn the Korean reading and writing system (Hangul) alongside your speaking lessons. The good news is that the Korean writing system is one of the most logical of all languages. Its 24-character phonetic alphabet forms blocks of syllables, creating words and sentences. In fact, it's so simple to use, some communities in Indonesia have adopted Hangul as their own writing system.

Why Should I Take Korean Lessons?

Everyone has their own reason for wanting to learn Korean, but there are some benefits to studying the language that you may not yet be aware of. Let’s start with the most obvious: taking Korean classes will help you better understand the people and places of Korea. In addition, studying Korean will allow you to step into a rich cultural experience – one that includes listening to K-pop music and watching K-dramas without the subtitles, of course.

There’s no shortage of reasons to spend time in South Korea. Home to some of the world's biggest and most beautiful attractions, the country also has a friendly culture full of folks who will be happy to help you work on your Korean skills. Recreation aside, knowing Korean will also boost your professional career, as South Korea's economy continues to expand globally, with companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, and LG making a major impact across the world.

What You'll Learn in Korean Class

When you work one-on-one with a Korean tutor, you'll learn quicker and more thoroughly than you would with larger classes or video programs. That’s because your tutor will take the time to understand your unique goals and learning style, then develop a personalized lesson plan made just for you. Classes for adults are quite different, in terms of lesson topics and teaching style, compared to Korean language lessons for kids.

Whether you're two or 92, interested in business, travel, or getting in touch with your heritage, your private lessons will be tailored to your needs. With private instruction, you'll overcome hurdles more easily than you could on your own. Plus, your tutor will help you maintain focus and stay motivated. Let’s take a look at what you can expect to see in your Korean lessons.

Sample Curriculum for Beginner Korean Lessons

If you've had little or no experience, or if it's been a while since you studied, beginner Korean classes are for you. Everything you learn in beginner lessons will build a foundation for advancing to higher levels. In beginner classes, you'll learn:

• Hangul (the Korean alphabet)
• Writing and reading syllables
• Honorifics
• Basic grammar and sentence structure
• Vocabulary
• Forming questions
• Verb conjugations, tenses, and moods

Sample Curriculum for Intermediate Korean Students

Intermediate lessons build on everything you've already learned. After completing intermediate lessons, you'll have almost reached fluency. At this skill level, you'll likely study the following concepts:

• Intermediate grammar and vocabulary
• Pronunciation
• Conversation skills
• Sentence connectors and clauses
• Conditional statements
• Negating clauses
• Expressing large numbers

Sample Curriculum for Advanced Students

Advanced students have nearly mastered the language. In advanced courses, you'll learn difficult grammatical concepts that require a strong foundation. You'll also improve listening skills and pronunciation. Advanced Korean lessons near you will cover the following topics:

• Listening and reading comprehension
• Slang, abbreviations, and idioms
• North Korean and South Korean variances
• Commonly used Hanja symbols
• Korean culture and customs

How long does it take to learn Korean? That depends on your prior experience, time devoted to study, and the frequency of lessons. Due to significant linguistic differences, the U.S. Foreign Service Institute estimates 88 weeks (or 2200 hours) of deliberate study for an English speaker to learn Korean. Don't let this number intimidate you! Working with a private Korean tutor will help you learn quickly and efficiently.

Teach Me Korean : Finding a Tutor

Once you've decided to start Korean classes near you, you'll need to find the right teacher. Sometimes, this process can seem daunting. Depending on where you live, you might feel overwhelmed by the task of finding a teacher, either because there are too few or too many local teachers to choose from.

The good news is that with TakeLessons, finding the perfect Korean language teacher is easy. Online Korean lessons allow you to stay connected with your favorite teacher, whether they’re in New York or Seoul. You can learn at your own convenience, whenever and wherever you want, so you can reach your full potential in the fastest way possible.

With a simple search for Korean tutors, our directory will lead you to a long list of highly qualified and experienced teachers available for both local and online lessons. You'll find a variety of native speakers who provide lessons to students of all ages and skill levels. When browsing through our list, remember to check out their education, specializations, and reviews from students like you.

All of this information will help you pick the right tutor, but if you still need help, feel free to reach out to one of our friendly Student Counselors! With a private Korean tutor, you'll enjoy your learning experience to the fullest while reaching fluency faster than you thought possible.