Korean is an unique and exciting language to master, and the Koreas, both North and South, are frequently the subjects of today's world headlines, South Korea for developing into a great financial and technological powerhouse and North Korea, of course, for its controversial political structure, making Korean quite a relevant language to learn. Mastering the Korean language may appear tricky when first approached, because of its unfamiliar written characters. If you follow the 3 tips stated below, however, you should have very little trouble whatsoever studying this exciting and increasingly relevant language.
Step One: Master the Alphabet
Initially, the Korean language looks quite difficult to master, but it really isn't. Its entire alphabet is made up of 14 consonants, 10 vowels and 11 diphthongs. Diphthongs, for individuals who do not know, are sounds created when two vowels are combined, for example the "oi" in the English word "boil." In total, that is just 35 characters that you have to understand, compared with a language like Chinese where you must learn about thousands of characters.
Furthermore, while the letters of the Korean alphabet appear very different than the letters used in English, they sound very similar, which makes learning how to read them fairly simple. So, your initial task is to learn the pronunciation of the Korean alphabet.
Step Two: Studying Korean Sentence Structure
There is a great deal of debate between linguists about the significance, or lack thereof, associated with mastering grammar when learning a second language; some say it is vital, others point out the truth that totally uneducated native speakers of a language are able to communicate without understanding their own grammar. When it comes to studying Korean, though, trust me, it is essential to grasp the grammar. One reason is because Korean grammar is so different than the sentence structure we use in English, and attempting to make sense of Korean by using what you feel are normal sentence patterns is a formula for failure and discouragement.
A second good reason is because Korean grammar structures are very uncomplicated and logical, a result of the whole language being developed by a small group of scholars, in contrast to other languages that have developed and evolved over many years--not always in uncomplicated and sensible ways. So, after you get good at the Korean alphabet, get yourself a good grasp of Korean sentence structure.
Step 3: Learning how to Speak Naturally
Of course, the purpose of studying a language is to be able to communicate verbally in your target language, and there is absolutely no better method to do that than to talk to native speakers. You could visit Korea, if you have the time and resources, but the majority of us don't, so I will recommend a few more doable choices. First, there are many Korean language-learning software packages that contain recordings of native Korean speakers. These types of programs are a fine place to start. Furthermore, you can search out and employ a Korean tutor. This is a great option for people who reside in larger cities that have sizeable Korean populations. Lastly, you can do an Online language exchange. Just go to a language-learning discussion board and locate someone to talk with; you teach him or her English, and he or she teaches you Korean. I suggest that you make use of the totally free communication software Skype for such lessons.
Summary
The Korean language is interesting and enjoyable to master, and it's becoming more and more relevant as we push further into the 21st century. It can be a tricky language to master, or a relatively easy language to understand, depending on your language learning approach. To have a successful learning experience, first master the Korean alphabet. Then proceed to studying grammar, and, eventually, perfect your speaking by rehearsing with a native speaker.
Good luck, and enjoy a new language learning experience.
Author Resource:
Come learn the Korean Alphabet at the Live In Asia Blog's FREE Korean Class.
You can also stop by and learn how to master Korean Grammar !
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