Here’s how you can start learning Korean for free at home, like I did!
It was during 2020 when the Covid-19 virus had spread all over the world, and my country along with other countries were under a nationwide lockdown. Stuck in my home with almost no hope of returning back to my normal life, I was distressed. My class 12th finals exams were just over, and I was not even sure if I would be able to pursue my Bachelors that year. About a month later, all entrance exams that were required to get an admission into a college were put on hold, our percentages were the deciding factor instead. I could not get into the college I wanted, and thus decided to stay home for a year. It was during the month of July, amidst the chaos in my mind, that I sincerely started learning Korean, firstly as a form of escape, later as something I genuinely like. Ever since, learning Korean has been my escape,motivation, the enthusiasm that I seek in times when nothing else feels right. The warmth that learning a language has given me is incomparable. Here’s how I started learning Korean and have been doing so since four years!
The first step was to learn Hangeul (Tap on ‘Hangeul’ to find the youtube playlist that I used to learn Hangeul). Yes, the Korean alphabet system Hangeul. I know people find the romanised version of the language easier, but if you are to learn a language properly, learning the alphabet system is THE very first step. Not only is Hangeul easier than most alphabets, many people learn it even in a single day! Ofcourse, one has to keep revising to retain the knowledge, and eventually master it. But the simplicity of this alphabet system can boost your confidence in taking a step further in your language learning journey.
It took me a whole week to remember every letter because I am a slow learner, but hey, there is no right pace to learn anything okay?
The next step is a bit daunting for many, including me but trust me, it gets more exciting and the feeling I got when I took the next step made it all worth it!
What I did next was learn vocabulary, and grammar, simultaneously. Learning the alphabets won’t benefit you unless you use them to form words, and use those words to form meaningful sentences. When I first entered this stage, it was honestly a bit confusing. I googled and searched a lot on youtube and found some useful websites and channels. But, the most important point here was for me to stick to a few resources in the beginning because the abundance can be overwhelming, really. So, choose your favourite youtube channel, and a website maybe and learn solely through them. If you can afford books, then go ahead. But, do not make the mistake of buying everything out there. Remember, minimalism is the key. Too many resources can be stressful. Little is better. Stick with your resource and be sincere. That’s what I did, I used Talk To Me In Korean and How to Study Korean for grammar, and Memrise for vocabulary. I kept it simple, and thus easier.
Here are few of my favourite websites to give you a head start:
However, I made a huge mistake when I was first learning on my own. I gave importance to grammar and ignored the vocabulary part altogether. The effect of it was unnoticed until one day I challenged myself to write a few lines about a topic and ended up writing no more than three lines. I knew how to join a sentence, how to conjugate verbs, how to use subject and object particles the right way, but I failed to recall words to express what I had in my mind. So, I really suggest, learn both of them simultaneously. This might take more time, but it really is the best method. Trust me.
The third step, is to begin writing. Even the simplest of the sentences will do. Think about a topic, for e.g. mango in your native language and try to convert them into sentences in Korean. Writing notes, writing examples, and about random topics will prove to be very helpful. I was very hesitant when I did this at first. I often thought that I had to know all the words in the world to ever write something in Korean. But that is not true at all. If you feel like you don’t know a word associated with the topic, then google it. Use the Naver Dictionary and liberally! Write, write, and write. About anything and everything. Even if it’s just three sentences a day, but write.
After you are clear about the grammar and vocabulary part, and have been learning them for some months, I would suggest you to explore podcasts and shows in Korean to elevate your listening skill. Your knowledge should not be limited to textbooks alone. Textbooks are like the foundation, they will provide you the basics whereas the knowledge that you would acquire from other resources would be the building that would stand on the strong foundation that you have laid with the help of those textbooks and websites (for grammar and vocabulary). Everything is capable of teaching you, so do not hesitate to occasionally try out new things.
The focus should be on these 4 elements when studying: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Dedicate time to each of them (according to your preference).
I will write elaborately on each of them so stay tuned!
Lastly, being a part of a community can not only help you to stay motivated, it can also help you to make friends with whom you can study together. Because studying alone can become a bit boring, or scary sometimes. Having a few friends, be it online, who are as enthusiastic as you about learning Korean would in return help you to stay encouraged in your language learning journey. Instagram can be a good place to start. I have been part of the community since the beginning of my journey, and it has made a difference in the way I perceive the language learning experience. The people in this community are real, and insights into their experience can be enlightening. Here’s my Instagram handle, in case you want to connect: @jimineeko
Once you’re in the experience, it becomes clearer. I started figuring out what works for me and what does not throughout the years that I have been studying. There is neither a perfect resource, nor a perfect routine for it. This thought has saved me the trouble. Also, there is no right pace for it. Some people might learn it quicker, and some people, like me would require more time. We have all got priorities in life, and thus it is not right for anyone to compare their progress with someone else on the internet. So, focus on your progress instead. Make it fun, squeeze in some of your favourite kdramas and kpop songs in between to keep the whole experience enjoyable!
I hope this article was helpful. :)
Happy learning! You got this!
