Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jst]

I want to learn some basic Korean.

I'm thinking about getting one, or a few of the following material:

1. Korean Made Easy for Beginners & Korean Made Easy for Everyday Life
Photos of the books -> http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/bks/1748189937.html

2. Integrated Korean: Beginning 1 workbook & textbook.
Photos of the books -> http://seoul.craigslist.co.kr/bks/1804481653.html

3. Pismleur Basic Korean (5 discs plus CD case)


What would the best option be (1, 2, or 3) for learning some Korean basics?

[Jeunesse]

I've bought and used Korean Made Easy for Beginners, and I've really enjoyed it. So much so that I want to buy the second one, Korea Made Easy for Everyday Life.

What I like is that it simplifies the grammar points and also provides a CD (and MP3 online, if you want to download to your IPod) that plays the conversations. It's infinitely helpful with pronounciation, my biggest Korean stumbling block.

I haven't read the other texts so can't comment on them.

Hope this helps!

[HalfJapanese]

Forget about books, Sogang University's Free Online Korean Class is the way to go!

http://korean.sogang.ac.kr/

[ippy]

people always recommend that, but i reckon theres a few people that cant stand learning using the internet. Not because its useless but just because its a format that is open to dithering, procrastination and of course a short teensy tiny attention span. Im not really a good multi-tasker, so if im on the internet you can guarantee at the first sign of not understanding or the first sing of not feeling progression ill be wondering whats on the other channels and start surfing. If im studying i really need to do it as far away from the net as physically possible. I need to do it in a room in fact with one book, one piece of paper and pen with absolutely zero distraction. Its just how i work best

[HalfJapanese]

^
That is why that site is great for the "Lazy Language Learner".

It allows one to Lazily Learn a Language, with many pauses and break in between, so the more start and end times you have the better you remember b/c you are constantly reviewing where you left off.

[v88]

[furtakk]

I would recommend the first 2 books from the Korean Made Easy series. After you are finished with those, you should be able to manage the level 2 book from Seoul University (although it may be a little difficult at first). I think they are the best option once you get to a high beginner/intermediate level.

I've used the Sogang books as well, but I thought that they moved too slowly. I guess the repetition is good if you don't have strong memory skills, but after the 1B book I stopped using them.

I also second doing some sort of class or getting a tutor along with self-study if you want your speaking skills to improve at the same pace.

[jst]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll go with Korean Made Easy.

[El Macho]

[crossmr]

For grammar, I really like
"Easy Korean Grammar"
You can find it at most of the book stores.
http://www.koreanbook.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=703&zenid=5eab6683e1d173bfd181b32f82a391b7 there is a picture of it.

Useful Chinese Characters for Learners of Korean is a good book for learning some basic chinese characters. They still show up from time to time.

For Vocabulary "6000 Essential Korean Vocabulary" is a good book. It's based on word frequency.

[bish]

Korean Made Easy 1 is very good. I had a quick scan through the 2nd last night and wasn't so sure. Has anyone used the 2nd one?

[namerae]

Thanks for this thread. I just ordered Korean Made Easy 1. I barely know any and am moving in a month! Way to go, me.

(I'm just masochistic, I guess! lol)

[Underwaterbob]

Whatever you do, don't try to learn any grammar from Koreans. I've yet to meet a Korean who knew anything about Korean grammar.

[shostahoosier]

I might be in the minority but I really like the Integrated Korean textbooks.

It gives good vocabulary at a good pace and it breaks down grammar.

My only issue is that it moves a little slow.

[HalfJapanese]