Introduction

About 63 million people in South Korea, North Korea, China, Japan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Russia speak Korean as a first language. During the reign of King Sejong (1418-1450), the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty, the Korean alphabet was invented in 1444 and promulgated in 1446. “The correct sounds for the instruction of the people ” was the meaning of the originally called Hunmin jeongeum alphabet. They are based on how the mouth moves when making that sound. The traditional direction of writing (vertically from right to left) and the practise of writing syllables in blocks are both likely Chinese influences.

There can be a number of ways you can learn Korean on your own efficiently. In this block today I am providing a few ways that can be of help to you. 

1. Study like the kids

Remember the concept of pen pals? Just because you’re an adult now doesn’t mean you can’t join in! Find an international pen pal to trade language skills and knowledge with. Edit each other’s messages (while keeping what you both originally wrote) to ensure proper format and spelling. You’ll be able to help each other learn, your ability to write in a foreign language will improve tenfold, and you might even have someone to visit abroad when you’re ready to put those skills to use!

2. Watch a Movie. 

Watch a Korean movie in English subtitles and English movies with Korean subtitles!

Not only is this one of the best ways to learn a foreign language, but you will also gain a better understanding of the culture of that language!

3. Pretend You’re at a Restaurant. 

Read a menu in your target language and choose a dish you’d order every day — then look it up to find out what it means. Your food choices’ names will stick with you!

4. Surf the Web. 

This is by far the best way to learn a foreign language! The internet has a plethora of resources to help you reach your foreign language learning goals, from using Google Translate, to practise apps, to watching videos, reading articles and helpful brochures, to infinity, assessment sites & online worksheets and even connecting you to other language learners via online chat groups and beyond!

5. Make some new friends online or around you. 

If your city has a community of people who speak the language you want to learn, start attending events! If you have none around you, then I recommend you to look for conversation or translation partner online on sites such as Italki, Tandem, Hello Talk etc