Korean Job Discussion Forums

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Anyone have any tips?

mimis · Joined: 24 May 2009

Go to a class. Before I did that I tried self-study but just didn't quite get it (having no CDs didn't help), but after just a few classes here it was easy-peasy. Just go to one of those (free) classes and you'll pick it up that much faster.

Bronski · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

The alphabet is the easy part. After that it gets difficult.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Thanks. How do I sign up for a (free) class??

Bucky · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:49 am Post subject:

My method of learning the Korean alphabet is just picking a bunch of random South Korean city names and transcribing them from their Romanized equivalents. Eventually, I got the hang of it.

Bronski · Joined: 17 Apr 2006

Also, there are a bunch of good sites online. I don't remember what I used, but it was really helpful. I googled "learn Korean alphabet" just now and found this: http://www.langintro.com/kintro/first.htm

I just briefly glanced at it, but it seems okay. If you google search Dave's forum, you can probably find lots of links to similar sites.

CA-NA-DA-ABC · Joined: 20 Jun 2006

I don't see how going to a class would be of much help when merely at the stage of learning the characters. Self study should suffice. Buy one of those beginner's penmanship books and keep writing out the characters over and over. If you want to learn the pronunciations, search online or ask a Korean friend. Beginner's language books should have audio CDs as well. As someone who's learned both Korean and Japanese, I find Korean alphabets much easier to learn and way more systematical than the Japanese hiragana or katakana.

mimis · Joined: 24 May 2009

Yeah, I forgot the exact info, but here's an (old) link: http://www.korea.net/news/news/newsview.asp?serial_no=20070427024. There was a post about (cheap/free) Korean classes a while back, perhaps you can try the search function (mine doesn't seem to work).

***Ah I found some more recent info (at Galbijim):

mimis · Joined: 24 May 2009

Ah, but I'm not talking about just learning how to write the alphabet, I assume the OP also wants to know how to pronounce the characters?
The easiest way to learn which sounds go with which characters and how they change in combination with certain characters is by having a Korean (teacher) explaining everything. I found my classes much more helpful than staring at some book by myself, but that's just my experience. I learned a lot during my classes and much faster than I would have if I'd just had a book. But sure, a friend would do just fine too.

iammac2002 · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: 'n Beter plek.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=647506454&ref=profile#/KoreanClass101?ref=sgm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiqMot3HF3M

Youtube has many Korean alphabet videos.

is so delicious · Joined: 28 Apr 2009

Wow, really helpful. Thanks a lot, guys. I think I'll try that Korean class... I've been here almost two years now and feel kind of pathetic how little of the language I know (though somehow I get by).

Thanks again!

Daegudavid · Joined: 08 Jun 2009

YouTube is pretty helpful.

coralreefer_1 · Joined: 19 Jan 2009

Make some flashcards with the Korean character on one side, and the corresponding sound with the English alphabet s on the other.

T ook me only 2 hours with this method when i first came here, and was reading the menu (although with a bit of trouble) at the local chicken and beer hof that night. I didn't understand what the words meant yet..but i was reading them..

Good luck

samcheokguy · Joined: 02 Nov 2008 Location: Samcheok G-do

Learn Kim Bap Na Ra's Menu
Everything in Korean revolves around food anyway.

iammac2002 · Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Location: 'n Beter plek.

I love Kimbab Heaven!