It was many years ago that I decided to learn Korean, with one caveat: it had to be free. The idea empowered me. The satisfaction of becoming fluent in one of the world’s toughest languages at no cost excited my DIY-oriented brain. But as I gradually began consuming lessons, I stumbled upon challenges that I had not seen coming.
During the years that I convinced myself to self-study Korean, I found myself jumping from websites to free PDF copies of textbooks to YouTube videos. I spent more time Googling my questions than soaking in the lessons. I couldn’t retain vocabulary and grammar as well as I had hoped because there was little sense of accountability. The freedom of studying at my own pace was becoming counterproductive.
Now, you may scoff at me, thinking, “It’s a you problem. Not everyone finds self-studying Korean difficult.” And that’s true. I thought so too. With each passing day, I saw the cracks in my discipline becoming more evident. Every day, it felt like the next day would be a better time to catch up on a few lessons. Then there were also stretches of days when I’d commit to a routine. I did this on and off for long enough to feel that I was past the “beginner” phase. But there were two problems.
For many language learners who study for reasons beyond a hobby or simply understanding local entertainment better, earning an official language proficiency certificate naturally becomes a goal. As I progressed in my Korean language studies, I too set my sights on the TOPIK certificate, and that’s when I noticed the first problem: I didn’t have a reliable source of guidance for TOPIK preparation. I’d have to rely solely on online materials, and that didn’t sit right with me.
The second issue, and perhaps the more significant one, was that I couldn’t speak Korean confidently. And even when I did, I constantly doubted my pronunciation.
It was at this point that I considered joining classes at my local KSI center, and I believe I made the right decision.
If you’re someone who’s been thinking about learning Korean for some time now, or you already have some experience learning it but haven’t joined any classes yet, here are a few reasons why you should at least consider it:
- You get to learn from a native Korean teacher who understands your local context and can break down lessons to suit your unique needs.
- You always have the guidance of an expert whom you can contact throughout the semester to clear up any questions.
- A teacher can correct your spelling, grammar, and pronunciation on the spot, which is invaluable when building a strong foundation in Korean.
- Korean teaching centres usually include TOPIK preparation strategies and can be immensely helpful if you eventually plan to take the exam.
- You get to meet fellow Korean learners from different backgrounds, which is great for building a community and expanding your network.
If class tuition is a constraint, you can consider opting for King Sejong Institute’s free online classes.