Korean language tips

When visiting Korea, you might find it useful to learn a few phrases. Many English-speakers find it difficult - if not impossible - to read the new official romanisation of Korean introduced in 2000, so we have included a few words below with an unofficial guide to their pronunciation. It's a shame we don't have more influence over the way public signs are written.

We strongly recommend that if you are staying in Korea for any length of time you learn to read 'hangul', the Korean script. It is not difficult and it will make reading street/place/shop signs much, much easier.

Regardless of whether you are a full time student, or just trying to pick up a few useful words or phrases, learning a language can be challenging. So we have also included a list of study tips. (Yes, there are only eight. We are open to making it ten - email us your suggestions.) We also recommend visiting the Language Learning Advisor, who has a much more comprehensive list and some really great ideas to help.

Useful Korean Words and Phrases

Study Tips

1. Relax and enjoy yourself. You will be much more successful if you are. If you really can't relax and you find that you are overly stressed or depressed at your lack of progress, then find something else to learn and enjoy yourself.

2. Find the method that suits you. Everyone has their own style. Some have a visual memory and need to see words written down before they can remember them. Others need to hear words, or use them in conversation before they are lodged in their brain (that's me). Simply, there's no point in sitting in a course or using material that does not suit your style.

3. Get the right tools. Downloading our course book and audio materials is a good start. You could also use a dictionary, a grammar book, and a phrase book or two, a small notebook to carry with you to jot down new words, and access to authentic material, including newspapers, magazines, books, and DVDs (my favourite was TV soap operas).

4. Meet the right people. If you are not studying in Korea, make a native Korean speaking friend. If you are studying in Korea, make sure you associate with people who don't want to practice their English on you. Join a club or work part time (or volunteer) somewhere where you will need to use the language and can make friends. You will have a common, understood interest which will make conversations much easier.

5. Make it a habit. Do a little (or a lot!) every day. Take your notebook and dictionary with you everywhere and jot down, or look up words you don't understand. If you can get a small electronic dictionary, hang it around your neck and use it all the time. It worked a treat for me.

6. Be totally immersed. Don't speak English or spend time on the internet reading English websites or watching English TV. Find enjoyable Korean alternatives.

7. Do not be afraid of mistakes. Making mistakes when you speaking, reading or writing means that you are actually speaking, reading or writing. Practice is the best way to learn and improve.

8. Be aware it’s a different way of thinking. Sometimes you may not comprehend something not because you don’t know the Korean words, but because the point of view is different to the one you know. Be as open as you can to new or different ways of thinking about everything.