Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly difficult to know and predict which skills will make us stand out in the job market in the future. Proficiency in foreign languages and knowledge of foreign cultures, as well as the social skills that come with them, will undoubtedly continue to be a competitive advantage, particularly in sales and management positions.
Korean is an excellent choice if you want to broaden your linguistic horizons and differentiate yourself from other candidates in the job market. Moreover, its demand grows along with the popularity of Korean music and movies around the world.
But considering it is a language that can be so strange to people living on this side of the world, what can you do to learn Korean easily? In this article, we’ll give you advice on how to make our learning path less complicated and how to learn Korean easily.
How to learn Korean easily: 5 steps to easy success
There are no shortcuts to learning any language… let alone Korean. So, the first thing you need to do is have the right mindset and the correct motivation. If you don’t really want to learn the language, you will drop out as soon as you get confronted with the first difficult lessons. But, if you are motivated, and you’ve decided that you want to be fluent in Korean, below are some tips you could use to learn Korean easily.
1. Familiarize yourself with its unique alphabet
The Korean alphabet, also known as Hangul, is considered one of the easiest Asian alphabets to learn. This fascinating writing system consists of 24 letters with unique combinations and groupings that form Korean words.
It is worth spending some time to master the basics; this will make it much easier to take the next steps and learn to read, write and travel around South Korea. In fact, learning Hangul early is a key to learning Korean easily.
2. Enjoy the fascinating Korean cinema
Did you know that Korean cinema is one of the fastest-growing industries in the cinematic world? Case in point to put things in perspective: The Handmaiden, a thriller released in 2016 that was instantly acclaimed worldwide, barely made the list of Korea’s top 100 films. Other must-see Korean films include Memoirs of an Assassin, The Host, and Brotherhood of War.
We recommend watching at least one or two Korean movies per week to get the most out of the immersion (as well as enjoying superb films). There are so many Korean movies of all genres that you won’t run out of options.
3. Learn to enjoy K-Pop
Korean pop is an indispensable pillar of Korean culture and an excellent source for those who are just starting to learn Korean. Therefore, we recommend that you spend a good amount of your time listening and learning all about K-pop. You can start with the most popular songs.
Of course, PSY got the world hooked with Gangnam Style, but since then a host of more modern and exciting groups have emerged, taking not only South Korea but the world by storm. Among the groups worth following are EXO, BTS, Red Velvet, Stray Kids, and NCT.
Singing songs you enjoy is one of the best ways to learn Korean easily: you will learn new words and phrases, while you enjoy the artists that you like.
4. Watch Korean TV as well
It’s the perfect trifecta. Movies and music… Now you need TV shows. What was once a mere gimmick to keep children quiet is now an effective method of learning this exotic language. Koreans seem to have a flair for drama, as evidenced by the numerous TV series that flood the screens and attract audiences from around the world. Korean dramas (K-dramas) are a fantastic tool to get away from your busy schedule, relax and enrich your Korean vocabulary in the process. Boys Over Flowers, Master’s Sun, My Love from the Star, and The Heirs are some of the popular series we recommend.
Besides dramas, Koreans love variety shows where you can learn all things Hallyu and practice the language at the same time. We recommend Running Man, Knowing Bros, and Hello Counselor.
You can help yourself with apps like Viki, which has a learning mode, so you can practice the language while watching your favorite drama. Other options can be using streaming services like Netflix and helping you with subtitles until you are proficient.
5. Enroll in classes
One of the best ways to learn Korean easily is to sign up for Korean classes. In this way, you will have a clear learning path, a study routine, and clear goals. If you are a busy person, you can easily find online classes and learn Korean online. When you sign up for classes on italki, your private Korean teacher will follow your progress closely, so you can be sure you are learning the language most effectively.
Conclusion
If you are not sure how to start learning Korean, then this is a perfect time to book a trial class with us. At italki, we help you connect with native Korean teachers online for a personalized one-on-one language lesson. So if you are still asking yourself how to learn Korean easily, this is the perfect answer for you.
