Korean Job Discussion Forums

aphasia83 · Joined: 13 Apr 2007

I'd like to start studying Korean before I get to the country. Does anyone have any advice as to what books/CDs are fairly good, in their experience? I've been looking into Rosetta Stone, but at more than $200 it's a bit pricey. I'd like to learn about other resources before I commit.

Thanks in advance!

eliross · Joined: 14 Jun 2007

I'm sure you can buy the Rosseta stone software in Yongsan for less then 20k.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

Google is your friend:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=learn+korean&btnG=Google+Search

Try some of these:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=let%27s+speak+korean&search=Search

http://www.genkienglish.net/speakkorean/hangul.htm

http://www.transparent.com/languagepages/Korean/FsKorean.htm

http://langintro.com/kintro/index.htm

http://rki.kbs.co.kr/learn_korean/lessons/e_index.htm

http://korean.sogang.ac.kr

aphasia83 · Joined: 13 Apr 2007

Thanks - i've already "googled" the topic. I just thought I'd turn to this community to ask for advice, in case people have opinions on which materials have worked for them.

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

OK. My advice is to see if you can find a good Western produced language program, like a good university level textbook with tapes or CD's.

I hope you can find something that is better organized and more useful than a lot of the crappy course books you'll find in Korea.

My opinion (as you may have guessed) is that by and large, Korean produced course materials suck. That's why people have such trouble learning the language. (well, one of the reasons anyway)

Good luck.

P.S. I am not trying to be a smart ass either, this is my honest opinion after spending 6 years of my life trying to learn Korean.

daveyutah · Joined: 04 Jul 2007 Location: Korea

http://korean.sogang.ac.kr

someone already linked to this one - but i feel it's excellent, well organised and practical- it's certainly helped me a lot.

Chris Kwon · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Location: North Korea

Stay away from Rosetta stone, just a waste of time.

A good way to start is Korea.net , they have a multimedia section with "Let's Learn Korean" ... as for reading Hangeul, try the book by Steven Revere, who happens to be the co host of that show as well.

Atavistic · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 7:32 pm Post subject:

some waygug-in · Joined: 25 Jan 2003

If you're a total beginner, try these:

http://www.dailymotion.com/videos/relevance/search/let's+speak+korean/1

I learned more from them than any course book. I wish some of these things had been available when I first started.

The ones on youtube are OK as well, but these are better.... and they're free.

So are all the other links posted by the way, there's a lot you can learn free, on-line these days.

Best of luck.

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Everyone has been telling me to buy a copy of Survival Korean! since I've been in country, but in all honesty after having been to half a dozen book stores, it doesn't exist on Korean shelves and you'll have to order it online.

I heard it was a great primer. I think I've exceeded it's level by now though.

Chris Kwon · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Location: North Korea

JamesFord · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Location: my personal playground

IncognitoHFX · Joined: 06 May 2007 Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

Ginormousaurus · Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Location: 700 Ft. Pulpit