Korean Language Resources
For my korean learning blog, please go to www.seoulareyou.blogspot.com
I’m still in the process of updating the links. Check here for more updates! (:
Korean Language Resources
Language Tools
- Empas Dictionary
An excellent online dictionary. You can search in both English and Korean, however it is more suitable to use it as a korean-english dictionary as it offers plenty of sample constructions and sentences. - pronounciation guide
A super amazing programme. Type in anything in Hangul and it churns out the correct pronounciation for you. No more worries on how to pronounce complicated looking words like 옮다. (note: sorry for the broken link. I found another site that hosted it. So it should be accessible now)
Online Tutorials
- KoreanClass101.com
Interesting podcasts that is updated really frequently. It has lessons ranging from newbie series to the advanced lessons. I particularly love the audio blogs which is entirely in Korean (helps to train your listening skills). Requires subscription to access its pdf lessons. - Sogang Online Lessons
Perhaps one of the most famous and useful online tutorials available. Lessons ranging from elementary to intermediate. I have been using this series frequently (currently halfway through intermediate I). Recommended for grammer help (: - Click Korean
20 Lessons by Seoul University suitable for beginners. I like the fact that there is korean subtitles below each conversation window so that we can follow the conversation easily.
Korean Langauge Learning Books
Personally I’m more inclined to using books since it offers more information, especially those that comes with a CD. Since those language books which are taught in Chinese are cheaper, I’m more partial to them 
Since I’m from Singapore, I’ll just share with you where I got those books locally.
Starting from the left…
- 백 시간 한국어 （100 学时韩国语）Books 1-5
This is a textbook series by Yonsei University Press. Comes with a CD each. Grammer is explained adequately and I use it as a supplement text for learning Korean.
I don’t usually see this in bookstores, I bought my set during Book Fair 2008 @ suntec city.
- 싱표중 한국어 新标准韩国语 （初1-2，中1-2，高1-2）
I use this Kyung Hee University series as my main textbook. This is also the textbook used Singapore Korean School in their lessons (although theirs is the MUCH nicer version in English completed with CDs for both the textbook and workbook). Sadly I can only get the textbook (no CD) in bookstores. The only consolation that its only around $11 per book. ^^ Available in Kinokuniya and in 友联书局 in Bras Brasah Complex.
- KLPT Practice Books (available in 조급,중급,고급)
The orange book in the picture is the advanced KLPT practice book. The elementary one is green and intermediate is purple. Available at $45 dollars each in NUS Extension @ Park Mall Lvl 12.
- 韩语点样用
That’s the white book in the picture. A must-have for those self learners. It goes through the most useful and common 50 grammer points with loads of examples. The best part is probably that it shows you how to construct sentences step by step. Below is an example taken from the text itself to illustrate my point.
먹으러
为了吃멀으러为了吃…去
먹으러 갑니다为了吃人参鸡汤…去
삼계탕을 먹으러 갑니다为了吃人参鸡汤…去韩国餐厅
한국식당에 삼계탕을 먹으러 갑니다为了吃人参鸡汤…一起去韩国餐厅
같이 한국식당에 삼계탕을 먹으러 갑니다为了吃人参鸡汤和朋友一起去韩国餐厅。
친구와 같이 한국식당에 삼계탕을 먹으러 갑니다I bought mine at $20+ in Kinokuniya Takashimaya. Go get it! The author penned several other guide books too.- Teach Yourself Korean
I think the ‘Teach Yourself Series’ is good for an introduction to the language and to pick up basic phrases. However, i think people tend to rely excessively on the romanisation and all grammer points are explained in romanisation. One consolation is that the conversation passage is in Hangul. Probably this series will be better for languages that don’t require romanisation, eg Spanish. ^^
- KLEAR Textbooks – Integrated Korean
Wow I totaly love this series. I started from Intermediate I and I like how the books include snippets on Korean culture. And it does a great job explaining some of the origins of certain words and phrases, which other textbooks lack. Ample practices too. Each chapter introduces around 5 new grammer points. I borrowed mine from the library! For the audio files, please click the following link. Audio Files
- College Korean, College Korean Intermediate
credits to notsocalm.wordpress.com
credits to uc.press.edu
2 books by Clare You and Eunsu Cho and they are frequently used as textbooks in university Korean courses. I have never read College Korean, but I do recommend the intermediate book. The texts are abit dry but does offer new knowledge on Korean history etc. But the grammer points are well explained and suitable for self learners. They do have the online version with everything available. However, I still recommend getting the book in order not to srain your eyesight
(Well, I borrowed mine from the library!) Intermediate College Korean
- Elementary Korean, Continuing Korean
credits to theselflearner.blogspot.com
Again, another 2 books series (by Ross King). Again, I can only comment on the 2nd book since I have not looked at the elementary one before. It has alot of explanations on grammer points, but I personally find their wordings abit confusing. But it’s still a good book to learn vocabulary. They introduce many new words per chapter. BUT, I advise against buying it unless you have much spare cash. Continuing Korean retails at $139 (or more, I can’t remember) at Borders Singapore >< (As usual, I borrowed my copy from the library
).
- Modern Korean – An Intermediate Reader
Published in 2000, this book is one of the older korean-learning books in the market. What I particularly liked is that the exercises are very relevant as it provides around 12 English sentences per chapter to translate using the stated grammar structure taught in that chapter. (however there is no answer key) The reading passages are a tad boring and more geared toward providing knowledge of the Korean culture, its history and folk stories. (which is both its selling point and disadvantage) If you are one of those who prefer reading modern dialogues, you may be put off by the passages. But if you are interested in finding out more about Korea, this is a good book to pick up!
- Teach Yourself Korean
Hi. May I know how to get the KLPT textbooks? Thanks!:)
Hello Eleanor ^^ I’ve alr emailed you. But for others who want to know..
NUS extension (Park Mall 12 Floor)
There are 3 different books (elementary,intermediate and advanced). Each costs $45.
You may want to call them up to see if they have the books in stock. (: Tel: 6338 8400
Of course, that’s provided you live in Singapore.
For those overseas, you can check out online bookstores i guess ^^ not too sure (:
hihi! may i know how different is the textbook by kyunghee uni that you have and the one being used by SKS? is the cover design different, ‘cos i don’t see it in the picture..
hello (: Well, basically the content is the same just that it’s in chinese instead of english. and it does not come with the CD. It’s supposed to be sold separately but the shops didn’t have them.
The cover design is different, I’ll upload a pic for you tmr, com is lagging now
hey it’s okies! no need for that trouble ya! =] anyway if you are looking for the english version with cd, nus has it. but it’s 38.30bucks..
Hello,
I have used some of the resources you mention on this post and I would like to give you my opinion about them.
I have been using “Elementary Korean” and “Continuing Korean” as a basis to learn Korean by myself.
These books are great at teaching vocabulary and putting it into meaningful contexts and discussions.
However, I thought that the grammar part in these books is relatively limited.
After studying the first book, I had learned many words, but I was unable to use them in meaningful ways.
Therefore I looked for another source for Korean grammar. And I found the website http://www.koreanclass101.com which provides great grammar points.
But in this case, the vocabulary that is offered to the reader is quite limited in comparison with the grammar that is taught.
So for me, the combination of these 2 books and this website has worked very well!
Hi Gilles!
hmm yeah I agree with you about the grammar part being limited. I didn’t really like their explanations too. I fele that the grammar points in ‘Continuing Korean’ are relatively simple compared to the intermediate books of other series. Try the integrated Korean series, I find it good too (:
I love koreanclass101.com too! That was the first online learning site that i went to.
nice to meet you!
thanks for compiling this list of resources! I cannot understand the Chinese resources unfortunatley -_-
but you have helped me out a lot! I am going to try some of them as soon as I get out of school! =)
Hello (: I’ll be adding more resources soon!
anw there’s a broken link for the pronouncation guide. It seems that they took that software off the server ):
Here is another link someone recommended in the K101 forums:
http://www.wordshowers.com/page.html?pageid=10
It has a massive amount of vocabulary audio files with english and korean to listen to while driving or whatever!
Thanks for this abundant list of Korean Learning resources! I look forward to your next batch soon!
I was really planning on buying the “Elementary Korean” book, but I’m not so sure it’s worth it… :S
Hi Hazel (:
nice to meet you! I’ll add more links soon. ^^
anw, it’s best if you are able to borrow a copy from the library or browse through it in the bookshop first. in this way, you can be sure if you wanna buy it. (But i still think the price is a little steep >< )
hi, may i know the link for the pronunciation guide? because it seems to be broken on the link.
hi twinnystar (:
thanks for reporting the broken link. I managed to find another site that hosted the programme. so the link is fixed
hi!
thinking of buying the KLEAR workbooks from amazon.. but not sure if it’s going to be worthed it. any idea how much are they sold in singapore? if possible, could you scan the content pages and email me? it’s okay if you can’t! =]
thanks!
Don’t know if you’ll be checking back through here or not, but I recently purchased the KLEAR textbooks from amazon.com and they have taught me a lot. But, unless you get the textbook and workbook, you won’t get enough repetition or grammar practice as you would otherwise.
Hello (:
Are you from Singapore? If so, you can go borrow the books from the library (: It’s so much cheaper and convenient. I’m not sure if it’s worth it to collect the textbooks, once I finished them I don’t really need to refer to it again.
I’m sorry I can’t scan it for you, I did not borrow any at the moment.
hello!
yups, i’m from singapore! oh? they have workbooks in the library too? cool.. thanks! how’s your korean coming along? ^^
ooh oops! sorry i misread your comment. I kept thinking about textbooks rather than workbooks. so sorry! :X
hmm I have not seen the workbooks before. So I can’t give my opinion on them. ><
My korean’s coming on fine
I will be taking TOPIK this year. ^^ Are you currently taking any korean course?
안녕하세요..
whoaa.. u have really nice blog.. u share a lot of info that i need..
저는 말레이시아 사라미에요.지금 한글을 배워요. 하지만 아직 잘 할수 없어요. so if u notice any mistake, please correct me.. ^__^
i will sit KLPT end of this year. i’ve been looking for KLPT book here but i cant find any.. can u please help me get it from spore?
안녕하세요 ^^
정말 반가워요. I’m happy to hear that you like my blog (: haha I’m going to take KLPT this year again and try for TOPIK too.
as for the KLPT books, I heard from my friend that they recently had a new rule saying that only NEX students can buy the books. >< So perhaps it will be easier to order from Korea.
I’ll be updating this page soon will more resources (:
huhuhu.. so sad.. i really need workbook to practice my korean..
do u have any suggestion regarding workbook?
hmm not really >< I usually rely more on textbooks. For exercies, I just do those on the Sogang’s online programme. I chat with my korean friends too (best form of practice) ^^
안녕하세요!
Thanx for all these information.
Do you know where to buy any Korean storybooks by the way?
안녕하세요 wan님!
you mean korean novels? the only place I know is Sol Mart (a korean mart) I always go to the outlet at B1 Cineleisure (: I know Square 2 has an outlet too!
좋은 하루 되세요
korean friends? how do you find them>??
hi twinnystar:
오랫만이네요! haha you can try http://www.tt4you.com it is a language exchange website. (: I met some of my korean friends there.
^^
Hi, may i know whether the tt call is free or not.
Thanks a lot
haha yeah it’s free (:
고맙습니다 ~
hello everyone!
i’m from the philippines and is really interested to learn the korean language…it seems, you guys are friendly here, so i was just wondering if, maybe, any one could be my friend…? i’m just a starter so basically, i’m zero-knowledged so far…
by the way, thanks for the links and infos..really appreciate it…
=)
hello! (:
wow nice to meet you ^^ I’m always delighted to meet others who are interested in korean as well.
what got you interested in korean? dramas?
hi!
yeah, that is actually my primary reason..:)(boys over flowers!!!!i love lee min ho!)
i’ve been looking for some textbooks here but unfortunately i haven’t seen a good one..haaay..
haha! i LOVE bbf too! (: haha take your time to look for the textbooks. You will find one that is suitable for you!
hope so..=)
hey! can i ask if how long it took you to learn korean? was it difficult? but you’re from singapore so i guess you didn’t have a hard time?
haha i have been learning korean for nearly 1.5 years already. ^^ I’m now able to read novels (with the help of the dictionary of course). haha
hmm where are you from?
philippines…
wow really! did you have tutorial lessons or learned just by yourself?
so you now understand korean dramas even without subs? wow..that is so amazing…
haha i had formal elementary lessons in Singapore Korean school. After that it’s all self study ^^
trying to improve on it these days
haha i can follow korean dramas without subs only 50% of the time
I have finished elementary Korean, and I think it gave me a solid base for a beginner.
I was wondering what level you think the Continuing Korean textbook is equivalent to in the Integrated Korean series? Intermediate 1? Or lower than Intermediate 1?
Thanks for the list!
hey chole (:
haha i think that there are about the same standard. however, i prefer the explanation in the integrated korean series.
by the time i am at intermediate 2, the continuing korean texbook looks quite easy to me. (:
화이팅!
Thank you for your advice hangukdrama! then I will go for the integrated korean series next!
may i also ask how far you got up to in the integrated series? i just looked it up and saw that they have a High Advanced level! That is really intimidating right now but you will be my inspiration ha (im sure you always hear that a lot).
haha i haven’t been using that series for quite some time. Been brushing up my vocab these days.
I’m in the middle of advanced intermediate! (:
haha what got you interested in korean? kdramas?
I will reply to both comments in one place. Music got me interested in learning! It started 4 years ago listening to DBSK..but there was a 3 year span where I didnt do anything. And just this year I started learning cause my university has many korean 교환학생.
I am not from Singapore! I wish i was! many celebs go there ^_^ I am from 밴쿠버. And thanks for the correction: ‘double edged sword’ Now I like that quote a whole lot better!
haha cool (: i got started becos of kdramas.
have fun studying korean and do drop by often!
Hi! I´m planning to get some Korean books for autumn in the summer, and I may go to China, where these books are available and quite cheap.
I was wondering how do you find the Yonsei 100 hours books? I´m thinking of getting hold of those, since they come with a CD. Is there audio available for the Kyunghee books? Are there explanations in the books (I guess they are in Chinese, but that´s okay)? Thanks for your advice!
yes audio is available for the kyunghee books, but workbooks are sold separately and so far, I haven’t manage to find them yet. There are explanations for grammar points too.
I bought my Yonsei 100 hours books in singapore, but i guess they should be widely available in china. yeap the explanations are all in chinese.
both sets of books are good in their own ways ^^ so you can think of getting both so that it’s more comprehensive
Okay, thanks. I think I will have a look at both, which one I like better.
But I think I may buy book s from both series, if they´re great, since here it is so hard to get Korean books or they are just too expensive.
Thanks!