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Starting Korean: Language and Culture for Beginners Ⅰ

Start your Korean language journey and learn essential expressions and cultural insights with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU).

303 enrolled on this course

Korean writing with the word 'hello' above it

Starting Korean: Language and Culture for Beginners Ⅰ

303 enrolled on this course

  • 6 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

  • Duration

    6 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Unlimited subscription

    $244.99 for a whole yearLearn more

Learn basic Korean for everyday conversations and social integration

Are you excited to start your Korean language journey? This six-week beginner course, offered by Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), will help you master essential expressions and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Korea.

Expect to gain fundamental conversational skills, engage with popular culture, and be part of an enthusiastic learning community.

Enhance your Korean conversational skills and actively participate with fellow Korean speakers

You’ll start your foreign language learning journey with the basics, mastering essential phrases for everyday interactions.

These language skills will give you the confidence to engage in Korean, whether you’re greeting someone, introducing yourself, ordering food, or asking for directions.

Discuss pop culture in Korean and join the Korean culture craze

Step into the world of Korean pop culture and see why it’s captivating audiences globally. Learn the vocabulary and expressions commonly used in the dynamic realms of Korean music, dramas, and social media trends.

You’ll enhance your language skills and gain a deeper understanding of contemporary Korean culture, helping you connect with a broader community of enthusiasts.

Engage in discussions and learn beginner Korean phrases for everyday

By week three, you’ll dive into practical Korean phrases that you can use every day. This section will teach you how to effortlessly handle common situations such as asking for directions, making small talk, navigating shopping, dining experiences, and more.

By the end of this course, you’ll have acquired essential Korean language skills, a better appreciation of Korean culture, and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations with native speakers.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Week1

    • 1. Let's learn: I am a university student.

      Learn how to greet and introduce yourself.

    • 2. Let's talk: I am a university student.

      Learn how to greet and introduce yourself.

    • 3. Let's learn: This is my family picture.

      Learn how to introduce family members and how to ask for a fact and answering accordingly.

    • 4. Let's talk: This is my family picture.

      Learn how to introduce family members and how to ask for a fact and answering accordingly.

    • 5. Let's learn more

      Let's learn more about distinct features of Korean Language and Korean names.

  • Week 2

    Week2

    • 1. Let's learn: There is a Korean language dictionary.

      Learn how to ask for the existence and the location of a particular object.

    • 2. Let's talk: There is a Korean language dictionary.

      Learn how to ask for the existence and the location of a particular object.

    • 3. Let's learn: Where are you going?

      Learn how to ask and answer accordingly about where a person is going and who is coming.

    • 4. Let's talk: Where are you going?

      Learn how to ask and answer accordingly about where a person is going and who is coming.

    • 5. Let's learn more

      Let's learn more about Currency units in various countries.

  • Week 3

    Week3

    • 1. Let's learn: I am having lunch at a restaurant.

      Learn how to describe what someone is doing and where the action is taking place.

    • 2. Let's talk: I am having lunch at a restaurant.

      Learn how to describe what someone is doing and where the action is taking place.

    • 3. Let's learn: What time shall we meet?

      Learn how to make an appointment and practice various time-related expressions.

    • 4. Let's talk: What time shall we meet?

      Learn how to make an appointment and practice various time-related expressions.

    • 5. Let's learn more

      Let's learn more about Expressions used when buying an item.

  • Week 4

    Week4

    • 1. Let's learn: How much is it?

      Learn how to ask for prices and practice expressions related numbers and counting units. Also, expand conventional skills for buy things.

    • 2. Let's talk: How much is it?

      Learn how to ask for prices and practice expressions related numbers and counting units. Also, expand conventional skills for buy things.

    • 3. Let's learn: They are pretty but a bit small.

      Practice adjective expressions and learn how to describe characteristics of a particular subject.

    • 4. Let's talk: They are pretty but a bit small.

      Practice adjective expressions and learn how to describe characteristics of a particular subject.

    • 5. Let's learn more

      Let's learn more about name and title used when ordering food at a restaurant

  • Week 5

    Week5

    • 1. Let's learn: What kind of food do you like?

      Learn how to tell something you like and dislike.

    • 2. Let's talk: What kind of food do you like?

      Learn how to tell something you like and dislike.

    • 3. Let's learn: It is not too spicy.

      Practice expressions to describe a taste of food.

    • 4. Let's talk: It is not too spicy.

      Practice expressions to describe a taste of food.

    • 5. Let's learn more

      Let's learn more about Unique Koglish(Korean+English) used at a restaurant.

  • Week 6

    Week6

    • 1. Let's learn: I went to bed late so I am a little tired.

      Learn how to ask a question and answer a reason.

    • 2. Let's talk: I went to bed late so I am a little tired.

      Learn how to ask a question and answer a reason.

    • 3. Let's learn: I have been to Gyeongju.

      Learn how to explain past events and express your expectation or hope.

    • 4. Let's talk: I have been to Gyeongju.

      Learn how to explain past events and express your expectation or hope.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Engage in simple conversations commonly encountered in everyday life
  • Describe the structure and key characteristics of the Korean language
  • Apply aspects of Korean linguistic culture relevant to daily interactions
  • Develop conversation skills for discussing common topics in Korean

Who is the course for?

This course is perfect for beginners eager to learn Korean, students interested in Korean culture, K-pop enthusiasts, and anyone wishing to gain basic conversational skills for travel or personal enrichment. No prior knowledge of Korean is required.

Who will you learn with?

Kim Kyunghwon

Professor at Sungkyunkwan University

Who developed the course?

Sungkyunkwan University logo

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)

Sungkyunkwan University, founded in 1398 as the highest national educational institute in the early years of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, has fostered leaders of Korean society for over 600 years.

  • Established

    1398
  • Location

    Seoul, South Korea
  • World ranking

    Top 100Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$244.99 for a whole year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$79/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 26 Mar 2025

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

Sale price available until 3 March 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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