Inner Circle Course | Level 1
Ask and answer questions in Korean
Beginner-Friendly
Tailored for beginners, this program breaks down Korean in manageable steps, requiring no prior knowledge.
Native Korean Teachers
(Personal Coaching)
Benefit from personalized coaching by native Korean speakers to refine your language skills and cultural insights.
Flexible Schedules
Learn at your own pace with flexible course access that fits into your busy schedule.
Easy to Learn
The program simplifies Korean by focusing on essential elements and using innovative methods, making learning straightforward and enjoyable.
About this course
The first 90-day course gets you up to the point where you'll be able to maintain a 3-minute conversation with a Korean! You'll also learn to order in restaurants, take taxis, talk numbers and money, write Hangeul, ask and answer questions and make small talk with Koreans. Life will be a lot more independent and you'll have a lot more options in terms of the conversations you'll be having and people you'll be having them with!
To start, you'll focus on the fundamentals of Korean. As you gain confidence in your skills, you'll be able to do more specific things like understand K-Dramas without subtitles, sing along with your favorite K-Pop songs, talk with family members, or interact with the locals on your next trip to Korea. You'll have a lot more options in terms of the conversations you'll be having and the people you'll be having them with!
Main Topics of Level 1
Reading, Writing, and Character Basics
This topic covers essential skills needed to understand and write in Korean, including reading and pronunciation rules, writing Korean characters, and ensuring correct form, which is foundational for any beginner.
Vocabulary and Language Use
This area includes learning basic vocabulary necessary for daily conversations, such as names of countries, occupations, and locations, as well as expressions of time, likes, dislikes, and more. It sets the groundwork for practical language use.
Grammar and Sentence Construction
Understanding the structure of the language through the use of subject and object markers, essential grammar points like 이에요/예요 for "to be," and forming basic questions and statements are crucial for building sentences and communicating effectively.
What You Can Find On This Level
Reading, Writing, and Character Fundamentals
- Reading rules and Korean characters
- Writing Korean characters
- Hangeul writing worksheets
Vocabulary and Language Use
- Names for countries, occupations, and locations
- Days, months, dates, and time
- Likes, dislikes, and hobbies
- Adjectives for describing personalities and habits
Korean number system
Grammar and Sentence Construction
- Subject and object markers
- Using "to be" and negation
- Forming action sentences
- Making simple questions and statements
- Counting and using numbers in sentences
Verbs and Conjugation
- Formal and social verb conjugation
- Stuffy and social endings
- Polite requests and negation
- Irregular verb conjugation
Communication Skills
- Self-introduction and talking about personal information
- Asking and answering questions about routine, preferences, and plans
- Expressing likes, dislikes, and daily activities
- Making polite requests and understanding responses
Cultural and Practical Language Application
- Practical use of language in daily situations like shopping, dining, and social interactions
- Describing jobs, routines, and lifestyle comparisons
- Using language in various social contexts and understanding formality levels
Advanced Language Concepts
- Understanding and using personal pronouns
- Location words and describing spatial relationships
- Differentiating and using subject markers effectively
- Mastery of irregular verb forms and complex sentence structures
By the end of Level 1, you’ll be able to:
- Read and Write Basic Korean Characters: Read signage, menus, and text messages on your next trip to Korea.
- Use the 514 most common Korean Vocabulary Words: Understanding words about countries, jobs, and daily activities for basic conversations about your personal life.
- Practice the 15 most common Korean Phrases: Put these expressions to use in your daily conversations.
- Form Simple Sentences: Construct basic sentences to communicate your thoughts in everyday conversations.
- Introduce Yourself and Ask Simple Questions: Meet new Korean friends and build relationships with the people you run into in your daily life.
- Understand Formal and Informal Korean: Know when to use different speech levels. This helps in showing respect in formal situations and comfort in casual ones
- Express Likes, Dislikes, and Preferences: Share your opinions and preferences with coworkers, friends, and family.
- Handle Simple Social Interactions: Make polite requests and give formal responses. Use this in a variety of situations, from shops to restaurants to work environments.
Ready to join the Inner Circle?
Core Skills Developed
Basic Literacy in Korean
Foundational Korean Vocabulary and Grammar
Practical Communication Abilities
You will develop the ability to read and write Korean characters accurately. This includes understanding the fundamental rules of Korean reading and writing, which are critical for advancing to more complex texts and writing structures.
This skill involves developing essential vocabulary related to everyday topics such as occupations, locations, and activities and understanding basic grammar structures. Mastering these elements allows you to form simple sentences, ask and answer questions, and engage in basic conversations.
You will learn to use Korean in practical, everyday situations, such as introducing yourself, discussing your preferences and routines, and making polite requests. This skill also includes understanding and responding appropriately in various social contexts, which is essential for effective interpersonal communication.
Here are a few bumps you might hit
while learning Korean
But don't worry, we've got some tips to help you smooth them out!
Learning all the formalities.
The Korean language has a ton of formalities, and learning them all can be challenging due to their complexity and variations in usage.
Here’s what you can do:
Break down formalities into manageable categories, prioritize commonly used ones, and gradually incorporate them into interactions.
Lack of feedback.
Not getting sufficient feedback makes it difficult to gauge progress and identify areas for improvement in learning Korean.
Here’s what you can do:
Join language exchange groups or online platforms to interact with native speakers who can provide valuable feedback on your language usage.
Memorizing over 400 verb endings without being able to use any in a conversation.
Memorizing all the verb endings without being able to use them in a conversation can feel overwhelming and disconnected from practical communication.
Here’s what you can do:
Focus on learning verb endings in context by using them in sentences during language practice to enable a practical understanding of their usage.
Getting stuck with Korean grammar markers.
Korean grammar markers can be confusing, especially since their order and usage can significantly alter the entire meaning of the sentence.
Here’s what you can do:
Study grammar markers step by step and use resources like videos and interactive exercises, and engage with sentences that showcase marker usage. But remember, you don’t need to master all Korean grammar markers to be able to have a conversation with a native.
Losing motivation after using the wrong words.
Losing motivation after using the wrong words can be disheartening, leading to a sense of discouragement in the learning process.
Here’s what you can do:
Embrace mistakes as part of the learning process, celebrate small achievements, and set realistic goals to sustain your enthusiasm for language learning.
Ready to Join the Inner Circle?
