example of korean essay

Students of Korean at Boston University are highly encouraged to write short passages and essays appropriate to their level of study. Writing Korean not only helps students’ Korean literacy skills but also enhances students’ creative and logical thinking abilities through reviewing and critiquing on social and cultural issues. The following essays are some samples from the students in my past Korean classes. These examples are taken directly from students' actual work and demonstrate great efforts in writing. However, naturally the sample essays may include possible grammar mistakes and non-native style of expressions.

Improve your Korean Writing Skills and Get a High Score in the TOPIK II Writing Section

Join the TOPIK II Writing Masterclass

Only 15 Seats Available!

Enrollments close on: May 30 2021

Is topik writing section is your weakest point.

A few years back, we had surveyed 270 people who took the TOPIK test and asked them which part of the test they found the most difficult and challenging. At that time there were 3 levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced) instead of TOPIK I and II and all levels had writing sections.

A huge 70% of them gave one answer - the writing part!

We asked the same question to a group of TOPIK II test takers again a few days back.

And perhaps not surprisingly, the answer from the majority was still the same - Writing section is the most difficult.

Only this time, it was 85% people instead of 70%.

We talked with some test takers at length and reached the following conclusions:

The score in the writing section decides whether you are a level 3-4 or 5-6.
The essay writing part (the paragraph writing based on a graph and the long essay) is challenging for almost all TOPIK test takers.
One of the reasons why writing section is most challenging is this is the only part where you can't really practice by yourself. You don't know if you are writing right or not.
Most test takers score the lowest in the writing section. Many fail the test just because of a low score in the writing section.
It’s not only that people who are weak at grammar or vocabulary find the writing section difficult. We found that even learners at an advanced level of Korean find the writing part difficult.
The problem is not that the test takers don’t know enough grammar and vocabulary to write a good paragraph or essay in Korean. We found that many of the test takers were pretty good at grammar and vocabulary but still they scored very low in the writing part.
In fact, most of the test takers have a decent amount of vocabulary and grammar knowledge to write a basic essay in Korean. They just don’t know how to frame their sentences and paragraphs and how to connect them in a coherent manner.

Finding the Solution

After talking with many TOPIK aspirants we did some in-depth research on the TOPIK Essay writing part to find a solution and prepare a better study/preparation strategy.

But before talking about that, let me talk briefly about myself. I am Satish, from India, living in Seoul now. I did my Bachelors degree in Korean language and literature and then my Masters in Korean Language Education from Seoul National University. After that I also did my M.Phil. in Korean language education and currently I am working on my PhD dissertation on teaching methodology for Korean listening.

I remember when I took the TOPIK test for the first time (intermediate level at that time) years ago. I faced all the same problems with the writing section that we got to hear from the test take takers in our survey.

Later when I joined Seoul National University for my Masters, I had to write multiple term papers, short and long essays and even a 150 page dissertation in Korean. And I got to realize that you don’t really need to memorize a dictionary and know 1000 grammar patterns to write effectively in Korean.

In fact, it’s all about knowing -

How to plan your writing (Whether it’s planning a 150 page thesis or a one-page essay in exam hall, the concepts are the same.)
How to use the vocabulary and grammar you already know efficiently.
How to frame and connect your sentences to make them look ‘native-like’.
The technique to present your complex information, thoughts, opinions in a simple manner using a specific set of grammar and vocabulary.
How to express the same thing in many different ways to avoid your writing looking amateur.

I thought based on my own experience of doing so much Korean writing over the years and also passing TOPIK level 6 multiple times, I can develop something that can help other people get a better score in the writing section without spending months and years to practice and improve their grammar, vocabulary and writing skills.

So I, along with my team started working on it.

We analyzed many writing samples from foreigner learners as well as native Koreans, did research on the TOPIK essay evaluation process and tried to understand what evaluators look for in your Korean essays.

We also worked with some TOPIK aspirants and to try and test different strategies to improve their essay writing and improve their scores.

We found that with just a few simple techniques and a little guidance people can easily improve their Korean writing and ultimately their TOPIK test score.

And it doesn't required months or even weeks of trainings. Even just 2-3 hours of guided training and practice can significantly improve their writing and improve their confidence level and ultimately their score.

Based on our understanding and our own experience we developed preparation strategy and practice plan for TOPIK II writing and that is how we came up with the idea of this TOPIK II Writing Masterclass.

TOPIK II Writing Masterclass

A 4-Day Online Workshop

We know, we can’t improve your grammar and vocabulary skills significantly in a few hours or days. It will take much longer than that.

We also can’t magically change you into an amazing writer in 2-3 hours, if you are not good at writing even in your mother tongue.

These things take a lot of time and practice and that’s not our goal.

We are solely focused on improving your score in the Writing section of TOPIK II.

During this 4-Day (8 Hours) Intensive Training Workshop:

You will learn how to plan the best study/preparation strategy for the writing section of TOPIK II.
You will learn how to handle each question of the TOPIK II writing section.
You will learn how to answer the short and long essay questions effectively using the vocabulary and grammar you already know.
You will learn must-know words and grammar patterns that will make writing paragraphs and essays in Korean much easier for you and will also fetch you more marks.
You will learn what to do if you don’t understand some words in the question (in graph writing questions especially). In other words, how to write a decent paragraph or essay even without knowing some words in the question.
You will learn what exactly the evaluators look for when they are marking your essay and how to make sure that you include the things they want.
Hands-on training on essay writing, correction and feedback by instructor.

Only 15 Seats Available

This course is suitable for you if -

If you are planning to take TOPIK II and you find the writing section of the test challenging.
If you think you are at level 3 or 4 now but want to get level 5 or 6 by improving your score in the writing section of TOPIK II.
Though, this workshop is exclusively for TOPIK II writing, it will also help anyone who is studying or planning to study in a Korean university and need to write essays and term papers etc. in Korean.

Who is this not suitable for-

We expect that you already know the basic Korean grammar and vocabulary and are at lower Intermediate level or higher. If you are in doubt whether this workshop will be right for you or not, please contact us before enrolling. You can send a mail to [email protected].
If you feel you are already at level 5 or 6 and want to get a higher, the workshop might not help you much because the focus of this workshop will be on helping people who are trying to get level 3-4 or are stuck at level 3-4 and are trying to get level 5-6. If you are already at level 5 or , probably you just need to work more on your vocabulary to improve your writing. Again, when in doubt, just reach out to us and we will be happy to help.

Course Requirements, Duration & Timings

Tools Required: Classes will be conducted through Zoom. We recommend that you have a double display system (A laptop with external monitor) but you can also attend the workshop with your phone.

Workshop Duration - 3 Days (June 10, 12, 13)

June 10 (Thursday) - 7-9 PM (Korean Time)

June 12 (Saturday) - 4-6 PM (Korean Time)

June 13 (Sunday) - 4-6 PM (Korean Time)

Maximum Seats - 15 (first come first served basis)

Terms & Conditions:

There should be a minimum of 8 students to start a batch. Otherwise we would refund the fees.
We reserve the right to change class timings or cancel classes if required, though in such situation, we will provide supplementary classes or offer refund.
The information available on this page will be final and and will supersede any information available on any other medium.

Workshop Fee

One-time payment for 3 sessions (6-hours), regular course.

One sentence summary of what they get

Lifetime Access
Immediate Start
Access to All Modules

Advanced course

X number of bonuses
Access to Private Facebook Group
30 minute private coaching call

Course Features and Benefits

This is the first Korean language course of its kind in India. It's a very innovative program that uses the best language learning and teaching practices.

Hands-On Training

I will not just give you theories on how to write better teach. I will show you by writing sentences and paragraphs and I will also make you write, correct and give feedback.

Access to Class Recordings and Notes

You will be given all the recordings and notes of all the sessions afterwards, so that you can watch them again if required and practice.

Grammar and Vocabulary Sheets

You will get sheets of must-know vocabulary and grammar connectors and verb endings for effective essay writing.

Community and Support

You will be added to a private class group where you can ask questions, share your writing and help others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the classes be conducted.

The classes will be conducted through video call using Zoom or Google Meet. You will also receive the recording of every class so that you can watch it again if you need to. You will receive complete instructions about how to connect to class beforehand.

I am in Korea. Can I pay through bank transfer?

Yes, you can. Just send us a mail ([email protected]) and we will send you the bank account details.

What if I am not able to attend a class?

The recordings of all the classes will be available, so you can watch them. If you still need help with anything, you can ask the instructor in the study group or during the next class.

Will the classes be one-way or interactive?

These will be interactive sessions with instructor with two-way audio/video. You can ask questions to instructor at any point of time.

LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE

We believe in quality, not the numbers. That's why we have decided to take only 15 students in a batch. The registrations for will automatically close once the first 15 students are registered.

Secure your seat now!

If you have any question or query about the course, please send a mail to [email protected] or message on Kakao ID 'satyarthi'.

Korean Writing Examples

The following shows writing examples at various proficiency levels. These were produced by real language learners and may contain errors. See Writing Section Tips at the bottom of this page.

Korean Proficiency Tests and Resources

Writing Examples

At this level, I am able to create individual words that have no extended meaning.

I can share some simple vocabulary, which deals with the prompt/task/situation, but I tend to struggle to connect those words to create meaning.

At this level, I am beginning to develop the ability to create meaning by grammatically connecting words.

Specifically, I can connect some basic subjects and verbs or verbs and objects, but I may be inconsistent at doing this.

I am often limited in my vocabulary to Novice level topics that I experience in my every-day life or that I have recently learned.

아이들 게임이 좋고 재밌게 놀고. 게임은 나쁘고 너무 마니 놀고.

At this level, I can create simple sentences with very basic grammatical control and accuracy.

There are often errors in my responses, while at the same time I might have good control with some very simple structures and functions of the language that I have just learned or studied.

At the Novice levels, errors are expected as I try to create simple sentences. Generally, the sentences that I am able to create are very basic and simple with few, if any, added details.

좋은 영향은 행복을 주고 게임이나 티비를 통해 많은 정보를 알수있습니다.

At this level, I can create simple sentences with some added detail; such sentences help create VARIETY.

At the Intermediate Low level, simple sentences are enhanced by use of prepositional phrases, helping verb usage, as well as some adverbs and a variety of adjectives.

I generally create independent sentences (ideas) that can be moved around without affecting the overall meaning of the response. There are still a number of errors in my response, but I have fairly good control of more basic sentences. I am feeling more confident in using different structures and expanding vocabulary and taking more risks with my responses.

비디오 게임과 티비는 아이들에게 좋은 영향과 나쁜 영향이 있다. 좋은 영향은 아이들의 집중력이 발달한다. 안 좋은 영향은 학급에 방해가 된다. 학교에서 성적이 떨어진다.

At this level, I can now create enough language to show groupings of ideas.

My thoughts are loosely connected and cannot be moved around without affecting meaning.

I can also create a few sentences with complexity and am able to use some transition words. I am also able to use more than just simple present tense, but often make mistakes when I try to use other tenses.

My vocabulary use is expanding and I am able to use more than the usual, high frequency or most common vocabulary. I feel that I am able to create new language on my own and communicate my everyday needs without too much difficulty.

티비 시청과 비디오 게임을 하는 아이들은 좋은점과 안좋은점이 많아요. 티비 보는 아이들에게 좋은 점은 아이들이 말을 할수있어요. 아이들이 외국어 티비를 보면 한국어를 배울수있습니다. 제가 어렸을대 어머니 아버지와 한국 티비를 많이 봐서 제가 아직까지 한국어를 이해할수가 있습니다. 아이들이 티비를 보면 언어와 요즘 트렌드를 알수있어요. 그리고 아이들이 텔레비전 아니면 비디오 게임을 보면 좋은 이유가 안에서 노는거예요. 비디오 게임을 하면 밖에 안나가도돼요. 많은 부모님들이 좋아할 장점이죠. 그런대 티비 시청과 비디오 게임이 안좋은 이유는 방해가 돼서. 티비나 비디오 게임을 하면 모니터예 너무 집중을해서 게임을 그만 못해요. 티비 신청과 비디오 게임은 나쁜 점도있지만 좋은점도 있습니다.

At this level, I have good control of the language and feel quite confident about an increasing range of topics.

There are still some occasional errors in my language production, but that does not hinder my ability to communicate what I need to share.

I can use circumlocution to explain or describe things for which I do not know specific vocabulary or structures. I can understand and use different time frames and am just beginning to develop the ability to switch most time frames with accuracy. I can use transition words and concepts with some ease. My language has a more natural flow, but I still may have some unnatural pauses or hesitations.

랑 비디오 게임은 바쁜 부모의 해결책이다. 어린아이에게는 부모의 관심 또는 시간이 필요하다. 바쁜 부모들에게는 일과 유가를 둘다 소화하는게 쉽지만은 않다. 이런 아이들에게 할것을 주는게 TV랑 게임이다. 아이들은 잠간 부모의 관심이 없는동안 재미있게 시간을 보낼수있다. 어린 아이들에게는 친구 관계가 무척이나 중요하다. 이런 관계를 만들어나가고 유지하는데에는 공통점이 필요하다. 유행하는 드라마, 오락, 또는 게임을 통해 21세대 아이들은 친구관계를 만든다. 성자하는 아이들에게는 관계 만드는게 중요하다. 아이들의 뇌는 21-25살에 성장을 한다. 뇌가 굳기 전에 아이들에게 많은 것을 가르쳐야한다. 이 중요한 시기에 TV 시청과 비디오 게임에, 또는 전자파에 노출시키면 아이들은 정상적인 성장을 못 한다. TV랑 비디오 게임은 무척이나 중독성 있는 오락이다. 하여 아이들은 곧 게임에 중독이되 자기만에 세상에 빠져 해어나오지 못하는 경우가 수도록 많다. 어느세 굳어버린 아이들은 주류사회에 참여하는 인물들이되겠죠. 게임에 중독된 사람들은 사회생황 하는데 지장이 크다. 하루종일 게임만 하다보니 사회성이 떠러지는게 당연한 일이다. 사회에 덕이되기보다 민패가 되는 경우가 많다.

At this level my response contains a number of complexities with higher degree of accuracy.

Such language allows me to address each aspect of the prompt more completely and with more depth of meaning.

I am able to use Advanced vocabulary or Advanced terms, conjugations etc. with confidence. I feel that I can create natural flow using as much detail and descriptive language as possible to create a clear picture. Errors with more complex structures may still occur. My ability to switch time frames begins to increase in accuracy.

티비시청과 비디오 게임은 아이들에게 많은 영향을 미치는데요. 먼저 부정적인 영향을 적어본다면, 비디오 게임은 아이들의 폭력성을 높일 수 있다는 점이죠. 왜냐하면 요즘 게임들은 무기를 들고 적들과 싸우는 내용이 많기 때문입니다. 티비 또한 아이들에게 부정적은 영향을 줄수있는데요, 그건 바로 광고 떄문입니다. 티비에는 여러가지 광고가 나오죠 예를들어 맥주와 담배, 티비 광고에서는 너무 화려하게 재밌게 포장이되어있어서 아이들의 호기심을 자극할수도 있어요. 하지만 부정적인 영향이 많은 만큼 긍정적은 영향도 많아요. 아이들은 비디오 게임을 통해 아직해보지 못한 경험을 할수있어요, 게임에는 종류가 여러가지니까요, 동물키우기나 요리하기 등등. 티비도 역시나 똑같은 이유에요, 텔레비젼에도 여러가지의 채널과 프로그램이 있어요. 여행을 다니는 모습, 동물이 살아가는 모습, 아니면 다른나라의 문화, 이 모든것을 티비하나에서 다 볼수있죠. 이것을 통해 아이들은 세상에 있는 사람, 동물, 그리고 문화에 대해서 배워갈꺼에요. 티비 시청과 비디오 게임이 아이들에서 미치는 부정적인 영향이 있었지만, 그만큼 좋은 긍정적인 영향도 있습니다.

At this level my response demonstrates my ease with the language.

I am able to create a response which not only addresses each aspect of the prompt, but delves into each point with clarity and concise language.

I am able to incorporate a number of more complex structures as well as Advanced vocabulary and Advanced phrases with a higher degree of accuracy throughout the majority of the response.

The language I create has a natural flow due to the way I incorporate a variety of patterns and complexities into my response. My response shows my ability to create language that has sophistication of language skills and syntactical density. My ability to switch time frames accurately is evident, if called for in the prompt.

현대사회에서 TV시청과 비디오 게임은 아이들에게 많은 영향을 끼칩니다. 맞벌이를 하는 부모들의 수가 증가 할수록 아이들은 집에서 혼자서 할 수 있는 놀이를 통해 시간을 보내고 혼자있는 시간을 더 활용적으로 잘 보내려고 합니다. TV 시청과 비디오 게임을 반대하는 부모들도 있고 아이들의 선택에 맡기는 부모들도 있습니다. 먼저 TV 시청의 긍정적인 측면에서는 아이들이 TV시청을 통해 많은 정보를 얻을 수 있고 세상에 대해 좀 더 알아가게 됩니다. 왜냐하면 TV 속에는 다양한 사람들에 대한 방송하는 프로그램과 세상의 화제거리에 대해 방송하는 프로그램처럼 다양한 프로그램들이 많이 방송되고 있기 때문입니다. 다음으로 비디오게임을 통해서 아이들은 프로게이머라는 꿈을 키워나갈 수 있고 비디오 게임의 체계와 공략을 이해하고 탐구하면서 일상생활에서 쓰이는 탐구력이 증진될 수 있습니다. 그렇지만 이 두 분야에서 아이들은 긍정적인 영향만 얻을 수 있는 것이 아닙니다. 부정적인 측면에서는 현대사회에 TV 시청과 비디오 게임을 수요하는 아이들이 늘어감에 따라 그에 따른 중독현상과 정신적으로 피폐해지는 현상을 가져옵니다. TV 시청과 비디오게임은 티비, 컴퓨터, 스마트폰과 같은 전자기기를 통해서 이루어집니다. 이에 따라 아이들은 전자파를 통해 시력저하와 공감, 지각과 같은 능력발달 저하가 초래될 수 있습니다. 이 뿐만아니라 아이들이 TV 시청과 비디오게임에 중독이 된다면 일상생활에 큰 문제를 일으킬 수 있습니다. 자신이 해야할 일에 있어서 책임감이 없어지거나 시청과 비디오 게임 이외에는 신경을 쓰지 않게 될 수도 있습니다. 제 개인적인 의견은 아이들이 TV 시청과 비디오 게임을 하는 것이 무조건적으로 반대되어서는 안된다고 생각합니다. 하지만 보호자가 함께 즐긴다거나 적정선에서 멈출 수 있게 도와준다면 더 건강한 TV 시청과 비디오 게임 활동이 될 수 있다고 생각합니다.

Writing Section Tips

Additional resources can be found in the Power-Up Guide and on our Video Tutorials page.

Be a ‘show-off’ – this is the time to show what you can do!
Be organized in your writing.
Challenge yourself to go above and beyond what you normally write.
Be creative and don’t stress out over possible errors. Perfection is not the goal!

Simply do your best and enjoy creating and communicating in the language that you are learning.

How do I type in Korean?

Read our Writing Input Guide to learn how to type in Korean.

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Mastering Korean Writing In 6 Easy To Follow Steps

, May 30, 2023

A pretty Asian girl holding notebooks and her glasses beside the Korean writing texts.

Welcome! Let’s learn Korean writing together.

Hangul, the Korean alphabet, may seem foreign now, but don’t worry. We’ll take it step by step.

Hangul is logical and easier than you might think.

From the simple vowels and consonants, we’ll build up to syllables and words.

We’re aiming for a real understanding of writing in the Korean language here, not just memorization.

So, are you ready?

Let’s get started with our step-by-step guide to mastering Korean writing.

A Brief History Of Korean Writing

Let’s take a quick detour down memory lane.

The story of the Korean writing system starts before Hangul, back when Classical Chinese, or Hanja, was the standard.

Yet, it was complex and not easily accessible for everyday folks.

The Great King Sejong of South Korea saw this gap, and in the 15th century, he introduced Hangul, a writing system for all.

Hangul is smart and efficient.

It’s not a random set of symbols but a system where shapes represent articulatory phonetics, mirroring how our mouth forms sound.

For instance, the symbol ‘ㅁ’ represents ‘m’, resembling a mouth making the ‘m’ sound.

But enough of history. Let’s bring Hangul to life.

Let’s turn the page to the first chapter of your Hangul mastery!

1. Understanding The Basics Of Hangul

Right off the bat, Hangul can be deceptively simple.

It all boils down to just 14 consonants and 10 vowels. That’s it!

These symbols and sounds are the building blocks of the entire Korean language.

Learn The Basic Consonants And Vowels

Let’s start with Korean consonants.

There are 14 of them: ㄱ (g/k), ㄴ (n), ㄷ (d/t), ㄹ (r/l), ㅁ (m), ㅂ (b/p), ㅅ (s), ㅇ (silent/ng), ㅈ (j), ㅊ (ch), ㅋ (k), ㅌ (t), ㅍ (p), ㅎ (h).

Notice how some have two sounds?

That’s because the pronunciation can change based on where they are in a word.

Now, onto vowels.

There are 10 basic ones: ㅏ (a), ㅑ (ya), ㅓ (eo), ㅕ (yeo), ㅗ (o), ㅛ (yo), ㅜ (u), ㅠ (yu), ㅡ (eu), ㅣ (i).

It may take some time to get these sounds right.

So, practice Korean alphabet letters, and listen to Korean speech whenever you can.

2. Forming Syllables In Hangul

Mastered the basic sounds? Great!

Now, we’re going to put these sounds together to form syllables.

This is where Hangul really shines!

Combining Consonants And Vowels

Every Korean syllable starts with a consonant, followed by a vowel.

They can be arranged in a square shape, with the consonant to the left and the vowel to the right, like “가” (ga).

Or they can be arranged top to bottom, with the consonant on top and the vowel underneath, like “고” (go).

Also, some syllables have a third component, a final consonant, or “Batchim.”

This goes underneath the vowel, forming a neat block, like “강” (gang). But we’ll dive deeper into “Batchim” later.

It’s like building blocks, really.

By learning how to stack and arrange these Korean letters, you’ll soon find yourself forming words like “사랑” (Sarang – love) or “친구” (Chingu – friend).

A Korean girl inside a well-lit room practice writing in Korean on a wooden table.

3. Exploring Complex Elements Of Hangul

By now, you’ve dipped your toes into Hangul’s waters.

Now, let’s navigate the waves of double consonants, double vowels, and the often tricky ‘Batchim.’

Understanding Double Consonants And Vowels

First up, double Hangul consonants.

These are ㄲ (kk), ㄸ (tt), ㅃ (pp), ㅆ (ss), and ㅉ (jj).

They have a stronger sound than their single counterparts.

For instance, the Korean word “깎다” (to trim) starts with a double ‘ㄲ,’ which is pronounced with a stronger ‘k’ sound compared to the single ‘ㄱ.’

Double Korean vowels are a combo of two single vowels, creating new sounds altogether.

Some examples include ㅐ (ae) as in “내” (my), and ㅒ (yae) as in “쌰” (slang for ‘hurry up’).

Grasping The Concept Of ‘Batchim’

The ‘Batchim’ is an essential character you’ll want to know.

It’s like a secret agent working undercover at the end of a syllable block, changing the pronunciation game entirely. Here’s how it works.

Check out the syllable ’감’.

Notice the ‘ㅁ’ just hanging out there at the bottom?

That’s your ‘Batchim’!

It gives an ‘m’ sound to the end of the syllable.

So, ‘감’ sounds like ‘gam,’ which is how you say ‘persimmon’ in Korean.

But the ‘Batchim’ isn’t a one-trick pony.

Switch it out for a different character and have a new sound.

For example, replace ‘ㅁ’ with ‘ㅂ’ and ‘감’ becomes ‘갑,’ pronounced ‘gap,’ meaning ‘sudden.’

Here’s the curveball: a ‘Batchim’ can change its tune based on the following syllable.

Like a chameleon, it can match its sound to the first letter of the next syllable.

So, if ‘갑’ is followed by a syllable starting with ‘ㅁ,’ the ‘ㅂ’ will sound like an ‘m’.

So, ‘갑문’ (gapmun) ends up sounding like ‘gam-mun.’

Two female language learners inside a room practicing the Korean writing.

4. Mastering Korean Writing Rules

With the sounds sorted, let’s dive into Hangul’s writing rules.

Stroke order and spacing can make or break your Korean writing.

Let’s take a close look.

Practicing Hangul Stroke Order

Picture yourself learning to dance. The order of steps is crucial, right?

The same goes for the Hangul stroke order. It gives your writing fluidity and precision.

Look at the consonant ‘ㅁ.’ It’s four strokes forming a square.

The dance begins with the top stroke: a horizontal line sweeping from left to right.

Next, you draw the two vertical lines, starting from the left, then the right.

Finally, the last step is the bottom stroke, moving from left to right again.

Take another consonant: ‘ㅅ’. It’s one single, elegant stroke.

Your pen should dance along the page, moving in a natural flow.

Remember, the stroke order is a rule, not a suggestion.

Learning Hangul Spacing Rules

Korean doesn’t use spaces to separate syllables.

Instead, they are used to break up words or phrases.

Imagine you’re writing ‘저는 학생입니다’ (I am a student).

You won’t space out every syllable like ‘저 – 는 – 학 – 생 – 입 – 니 – 다’.

Instead, the sentence is grouped into words: ‘저는 / 학생입니다.’

Notice how ‘학생입니다’ is written as one word?

That’s because it forms one cohesive idea.

Understanding this crucial difference will make your Korean writing more authentic.

Don’t worry if it feels a bit foreign at first. That’s perfectly normal.

5. Expanding Your Knowledge

Alright, you’ve grasped the basics. Now let’s take it further.

Here, we’ll delve into Hanja and the art of Seoye.

These are important aspects of Korean writing that go beyond the essentials.

Introduction To Hanja

First, we’ll tackle Hanja, Chinese characters incorporated into the Korean writing systems.

In Korean, words like “학교” (school) or “사랑” (love) are usually written in Hangul.

But they can also be written in Hanja as “學校” and “愛.”

Hanja is not commonly used in day-to-day life anymore.

Still, you’ll find it in academic texts, newspapers, and formal documents.

It’s also prevalent in names.

For example, the name “지혜” (JiHye) can be written in Hanja as “智慧,” meaning wisdom.

Understanding some basic Hanja can help you decipher complex words and enrich your Korean vocabulary.

Experiencing Korean Calligraphy (Seoye)

Next up is Seoye, Korean calligraphy.

This is a traditional art form where writing becomes a visual masterpiece.

In Seoye, artists use a brush and ink to create each Hangul character.

They focus on the balance and harmony of the strokes.

Each character should be clear and elegant, like a piece of artwork.

Seoye is not just about penmanship. It’s about expression and style.

It’s a way to connect with the cultural heritage of Korea and experience the language in a unique way.

A long-haired female reading Korean comics to expand her understanding of the Korean writing systems.

6. Regular Practice And Continued Learning

We’re almost at the finish line, but remember that language learning is a marathon, not a sprint.

To truly master Korean writing, you need to weave it into your daily routine.

Here are some practical tips for regular practice and continued learning.

Writing Practice

Daily writing practice is paramount. It’s the key to getting comfortable with Hangul, Hanja, and even Seoye.

And the best part?

There are a multitude of resources to help you along the way!

Try writing simple sentences, then gradually move on to paragraphs and, eventually, entire essays.

There are also many websites and apps that offer structured practice for the modern Korean alphabet.

For instance, some websites allow you to write in Korean and get feedback from native speakers.

Don’t forget about the old-fashioned way either: keeping a daily journal in Korean.

This not only helps your writing but also improves your Korean vocabulary and grammar usage.

Reading Korean Texts

Reading Korean texts is just as crucial as writing.

It helps reinforce what you’ve learned while exposing you to new vocabulary and sentence structures.

Start with children’s books or graded readers, as they usually use simpler language and short sentences.

As your confidence grows, move on to Korean newspapers, novels, or webtoons.

Websites like Naver Webtoon provide a vast selection of Korean comics that cater to different language levels .

Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself.

The more you read, the more you’ll understand the nuances of Korean writing.

Just remember, every new word or phrase you learn is a victory.

Keep going, and soon, you’ll be reading and writing in Korean like a pro!

Learn More About Korean Writing With Ling!

Let’s face it. You’ve just begun an exciting ride into Korean writing.

But remember, this isn’t the end. It’s the start of your adventure into a new language.

Now, here’s the best part.

The Ling app , a cleverly crafted language app, is ready to join you in your journey.

Think of it as a travel buddy but for language learning.

The Ling app offers engaging, bite-sized lessons that cater to all, from beginners to seasoned language learners.

And Korean is just the beginning.

Ling proudly hosts over 60 different languages. So, who knows?

Today you’re exploring Korean. Tomorrow you could be diving into Tagalog or Thai.

The possibilities are endless with Ling!

The next step?

Grab your phone and download the Ling app from Google Play and App Store .

It’s time to transform your language-learning experience!

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A Comparative Approach to Learning Korean

My Korean Language Study Plan

Explaining my korean language study plan.

I thought that I’d share my Korean language study plan to give a better idea of exactly how I’m going to go about learning Korean. Before that, as a sort of a disclaimer, it might be worth repeating what I mentioned in my first post about the fact that I’m not in a hurry to get good at Korean. That’s why you won’t see any mention of hard deadlines as part of this study plan. This whole studying Korean thing is purely for fun and I want it to be zero stress. I know that I’m taking a really laid back approach that might not work for everyone, but I’m pretty confident about it for myself.

The first part of my Korean language study plan as of right now is fairly orthodox. There are basically four things I will tackle in the very beginning:

Alphabet ( Hangul )
Pronunciation
Basic Greetings and Phrases

As you can see, before anything else, I need to learn the alphabet, or Hangul .

Learning the alphabet is usually the place most people start in any language. It’s not just about laying the foundation for reading and writing, but getting used to how the language sounds (listening) and learning correct pronunciation (speaking). In that way #1 and #2 on my list are essentially paired together.

Next I plan to move on to some essential greetings and phrases. Things like “hello” or “how are you?” or “my name is…”. In most cases, when studying a foreign language, even before you learn grammar, you typically learn basic greetings or everyday expressions. In some cases, the grammar behind these sayings is something you might not get taught until much later.

For example in Japanese you might learn the phrase お元気ですか？ [ ogenki desu ka? ] as the Japanese equivalent of “how are you?” What you may not learn for a while however, is the reason for the prefix お- or how this prefix plus -です marks this as a polite way of speaking, as opposed to an informal way of speaking that looks and sounds different.

Imagine trying to explain this grammar to an absolute beginner, “What the heck is -です even? ‘Copula?’ I have never heard that word in my entire life. Okay, so what does か mean? ‘Particle?’ What’s a particle?” These are not concepts a monolingual English speaker would typically know. Additionally, although the Kanji for genki are among the first you would encounter and learn in a Japanese class, you might instead see it written in hiragana [げんき] depending on the textbook you are using. Not to mention, at this stage you still probably haven’t even fully grasped exactly why Japanese has three writing systems (in addition to romanization). Anyways, the main point I’m trying to make here is that sometimes with learning a new language you simply have to memorize some things first and the understanding comes later. I think this is perfectly fine though.

Finally, rounding out these first four things in my Korean language study plan is numbers. This would include basic arithmetic words like “add” and “subtract.” I would also go ahead and add in various counters while I’m at it. I already know that this concept exists, because Japanese has them too, and I think it makes a lot of sense to touch on them while learning numbers in Korean. Even if I don’t have them fully memorized it will help to have seen and heard some of the more common counters.

Deviating from the Norm

Up until this point my Korean language study plan probably seems similar to how any beginner’s class might be structured. But once I have the alphabet and pronunciation down, I’m going to jump right into sentence patterns, regardless of “level of difficulty.” The reason I want to do this is to take advantage of the similarities between Japanese and Korean grammar. Basically I will be looking for the Korean language equivalent to Japanese language sentence patterns.

Vocabulary will go hand in hand with grammar. When I find a sentence pattern or grammatical structure I want to study I’ll look for words that I use in that sentence and study those as well. I’ll keep a list and review the vocabulary when I practice the sentence pattern. This adds a level of personalization to my language studies, instead of studying vocabulary lists that accompany lessons in a textbook, which may not have a lot of practical use for me. If I am going to be looking at vocabulary lists, I think it would be much better to just look at the most common words used in writing and speaking instead. At least then I’d be learning things which would be immediately useful for reading or speaking.

When I was learning Japanese I remember starting to learn conjugations right after the first 4 things I talked about. I don’t really like this approach, and having the background I do with Japanese nowadays, it doesn’t make much sense for me either, as the way I’ve outlined above is probably easier for me.

My real issue with this way of doing things is that you essentially learn conjugations in isolation. In the early stages it’s a given that you don’t have the grammar or vocabulary to truly see the whole picture of the language. Perhaps it can be overwhelming, in fact it probably is for some people, but I’d always prefer to start off seeing what the completed puzzle should look like first and then be given the individual pieces to try and put it together.

I also don’t want to just sit around learning how to conjugate the equivalent of verbs, adjectives, and nouns for various different vocabulary words and only THEN move onto actually making sentences. That’s way too boring and too much rote memorization to start with. Conjugations are definitely important in learning sentence patterns, but I will deal with that as I come across instances where I need to conjugate.

The Role of Textbooks in My Studies

Textbooks, and classes built around them, generally introduce grammar and vocabulary through themes to a chapter or lesson such as, “introducing yourself” or “at the grocery store.”

Furthermore, textbooks like to take a gradual or linear approach to teaching you grammar, introducing more complex patterns as you get more fluent. On top of that, the number of grammar points is usually limited as the majority of people using the textbook or studying the language will not have learned another language before.

This makes sense in most cases. I can see the argument in favor of this way of learning, especially if you are going from an SVO language (e.g. English) to an SOV language (e.g. Japanese) as I originally did. But my starting point is different, so I have to go about studying differently too. I am not expecting there to be a textbook made for someone who fits my profile, as it’s not going to be a big enough audience to make it worth the publishers’ and authors’ time.

What I’m really using a textbook for, besides learning the alphabet and the most basic grammar, is to get an idea for structure and ideas of things I might want to study, just not exactly in the way the book teaches. Textbooks might have explanations for grammar that are really well done, in the cases where it’s not the same in Japanese or similar to one in English and it’s totally new to me this could be really nice to have. That being said though, whatever textbook I ultimately choose isn’t going to be my main source for grammar. I’ll be using a separate, dedicated grammar dictionary for that.

Finally, since I’m not taking a class I’m also limited in my ability to use the pair-work speaking exercises that usually are a big part of each lesson within language textbooks. So that’s another reason textbooks aren’t really going to be what my studies are built around.

You can read more about my thoughts on this topic in my post about Korean textbooks for beginners .

Outline of My Korean Language Study Plan

To recap here is an outline of my study plan as I begin my Korean language studies:

Grammar and Sentence Patterns
Conjugations

Looking at this list, I’m actually surprised myself and thinking, “Is that it?” I definitely remember Japanese at least feeling more complex than this. Yes, there was Kanji and the whole learning a different way of structuring sentences to wrap my head around, but looking back it’s always seemed as if things were made to be far more complicated than they needed to be.

I know that I’ve simplified things in my study plan to an extent – for example grammar and sentence patterns encompass a lot of different concepts, such as particles – but, as I see it, this pretty much covers all there is to it for me as far as studying the Korean language is concerned. The next steps are all about applying what I’ve learned.

My next steps in my Korean language journey will be putting to use the things I’ve studied, focusing primarily on reading and listening since I’m self-studying. Doing things like practicing reading (maybe online news or articles) and watching tv shows or listening to music. Eventually I’ll probably need to look into language exchanges or meetups to get speaking practice. As for writing, I’m just going to be practicing in my notes when making vocab lists or writing down grammar. I don’t plan on practicing essays or whatnot for now. I know everything you do in another language reinforces other aspects of said language, but again, I’m not going for absolute max efficiency at all times. Not to mention, I rate writing as my lowest priority when it comes to Korean. I’d much rather focus on the other aspects such as speaking, listening, and reading.

Final Thoughts on My Korean Language Study Plan

The interesting thing about learning a foreign language is that once you progress beyond what I’d call the beginner and early intermediate stages, the only things that are really left for you to do are keep studying grammar and building up your vocabulary. Going beyond that, advanced learners and non-native, but fluent, speakers only have vocabulary to worry about – because vocabulary is practically endless – which is where the idea of language learning being a lifetime endeavor typically comes from. As testament to this fact, I still learn a couple new Japanese words almost every week (usually they aren’t that common or all that useful words, but my point still stands).

As I’ve said before, this study plan is really catered to my needs and based on my capabilities and knowledge of language. But, I want to use this as an example to show there are so many ways to approach learning a language.

After being taught by so many different teachers and professors, and I’m not just talking about the Japanese language, I know what I like and what works for me. For those who don’t have as much experience, I would encourage you to try out lots of different methods, and I mean like really give them a chance, then go with what produces the best results or how you enjoy studying.

Welcome to Korean Chronicles

Learning The Korean Alphabet Hangul

Korean Culture: History and Principles Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

Korean culture is historically strongly connected to the Chinese culture. In fact, China has influenced almost every aspect of Korean culture, such as religion, language, and education. In religion, the most widespread confession, Buddhism, came from China during the Three Kingdoms period. In language, Chinese characters became the basis for the Korean writing system. In education, the first recorded schools were founded by Confucian classics. Although this may be true, Korea has its unique features and traditions taken from other cultures that have a more significant impact on Korean society today.

Buddhism has become an integral part of Korean civilization despite the fact that it originated in India. Although most of the Koreans do not belong to any confession, a considerable part of Korea’s population consider themselves Buddhists. Buddhism is a religion founded in 550 BC by an Indian prince Sakyamuni, who is believed to have found a way to overcome human suffering. Buddhism was entered to Korean peninsula in about 333 AD and soon became the state religion. Buddhism’s contributions to literature, art, philosophy, and architecture are tremendous.

In 1860 Ch’oe Che-u introduced a unique ideology called Tonghak. The other name of the religion is Heavenly Way, and it is based upon a sole statement that man is heaven and heaven is man. It means that Ch’oe believed that there is no external God, but only God that is inside of every person. Therefore, people can go to heaven if they treat their neighbor as if God is a part of everyone.

Despite the contributions Buddhism has made to shaping Korean civilization and defending Korean territory in the past, Buddhists have generally not been major players in the 20th century. Today, Christianity plays a far greater role than any other religion in the country. Therefore, while heaving deep historical roots in Buddhism, people of Korea tend to embrace Christianity in the pursuit of modernization.

Korean is one of the top 20 languages in the world in terms of the number of speakers. Korean belongs to the Tungstic branch of the Altaic language family, which includes Turkish, Mongolian, and Tungus. Although some dialects can still be heard in several administrative regions, South Korea shows a tendency towards the widespread use of the standard language. Besides, for Koreans, it is essential to speak honorific, as interpersonal communication is judged more by how one says something than by what one says.

The Korean alphabet, Hangul, was created in 1443 during the reign of King Sejong (1418-1450); before that the Koreans used Chinese characters. The language and literature, like all the other parts of Korean culture, have been greatly influenced by China. According to the Great Dictionary compiled by the Korean Language Society, Korean vocabulary of Chinese origin accounts for more than half (54%) of the words in use today. In brief, the Korean language is a synthesis of Chinese roots and modern developments.

Korean education has been an essential component of culture. On the one hand, classical approach to education deeply embedded in religious teachings of Buddhism and Confucianism. On the other hand, modern Christian approach to learning with an emphasis on sciences and technology was introduced recently. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that Korean education is a unique mixture of long-lasting tradition and present-day tendencies.

Cultural principles affect not only personal lives, but also business. The predominant features of the Korean culture are deep historical roots, strong connections with China in all aspects, and consistent modernization. In conclusion, in their strive to understand Koreans, people are to realize the rare fusion of tradition and innovation that is presented in Korean culture makes it rather progressive and unique.

A Travel Into the Korean Culture: 2012 Korean Festival in Houston
Admissibility of Confession
The History of Korean American Immigration Experience
The Japanese Culture and Ecological Interests
Chinese New Year Superstition as a Reflection of Our Hopes and Fears
Cultural Values vs. the UN Declaration of Human Rights
Beat Generation's Writers and American Culture
Arab Masculinity and Nationalism, on the Example of Two Novels
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2022, January 20). Korean Culture: History and Principles. https://ivypanda.com/essays/korean-culture-history-and-principles/

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IvyPanda . 2022. "Korean Culture: History and Principles." January 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/korean-culture-history-and-principles/.

1. IvyPanda . "Korean Culture: History and Principles." January 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/korean-culture-history-and-principles/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Korean Culture: History and Principles." January 20, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/korean-culture-history-and-principles/.

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