Korean Job Discussion Forums

[james_baldrey]

After buying a few Korean made Korean language books to try and study Korean, i have found that they are completely useless! I have learned a foreign language before, and the chapters from that book were in the right order, there was vocab, useful sentences, and also mini-conversations.

Does anyone know of a good book (including audio CD/casette) ? Also it needs to be in phonetic english too since i can't read yet.
Also where can i buy it in Korea, or more preferably online!

Many thanks.

[the_beaver]

[Callipear]

I've been using the Rosetta Stone language software.
You can pay monthly fees to access the software online (flash format) or you can pay for software to be sent to you. No books, but I seriously recommend it. The Korean lessons are split up into 5 different categories, listening, reading, listening and reading together, writing, speaking (For the speaking part, you use a mic, & the software analyzes your speach, you can play it back and compare it to a native speaker's recording). There's a demo online.

http://www.rosettastone.com/ind/catalog?language=kor

http://www.rosettastone.com/ind/free_demo

But why don't you first learn hangul? It's surprisingly easy. After all, the best language software/books aren't romanized.

[trigger123]

steven revere's book is the best one on the market, 22,000 won and its explanations, particularly of hangeul, are very clear.
dunno about tapes that accompany it cos i don't have a tape recorder.
my mate studies at yonsei and is acquainted with mister revere, who informs him that the lovely and annoying lisa is already taken... oh and mr revere is also a little more 'rotund' in public.
although that wouldn't stop hwajangshil aj' polishing his faucet...

[Son Deureo!]

I'm not familiar with Revere's book, but Ross King's Elementary Korean and sequel Continuing Korean are the best, IMHO. Unfortunately the CD is out of print, but the book is still worthwhile without it. You can order it from Whatthebook here: http://www.whatthebook.com/browse?keyword_string=Ross+King+elementary+korean.

It uses a really freaky romanization in the first two chapters but I say skip that and go straight to chapter 3 and just learn to read hangeul first. Better yet, PM me your email addy and I'll send you a guide I wrote to help you learn how to read hangeul (free, of course). You can do it.

The Beaver is also right about another thing, any book that mollycoddles you with romanization is doing you no favors.

Good luck!

[SuperHero]

[Adam J]

I'm just beginning the Elementary Korean book. I purchased it "used" from Amazon, but it was actually brand new and had the CD inside. I have a few other books, but this seems the most comprehensive and thoughtful.

Yes, the Hangul alphabet is pretty easy to learn. 2 hours a day for a few days should do it.

This site has some handy practice features, as well as a nice chart to print and practice writing the characters:

http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/korean/kkl100/lesson01/index.html

[bossaco]

try Declan's Korean

http://www.declan-software.com/

there's a demo available in their website...