Which Path Will You Take to Learn Korean?

Learning Korean is a Journey and there are many paths you can take. Here we will go over 7 main paths you should consider and the pros and cons to each method according to what is published in the scholarship. The path you take depends on many factors, and only you can decide what will work best for you!

The information in this blog post came from research based on scholarship.

1. Join a Korean Flagship Program

One of the most intensive and involved ways to learn Korean is by joining a flagship program. A flagship program will give you the structure and support you need to thrive.

What is a flagship program?

According to Ho-min Sohn, the Language Flagship initiative is a way of doing advanced language and culture learning. It is a way to create global professionals with superior proficiency in a critical language. Flagship programs are unique because they offer the benefits of intensive language and culture instruction, including group training and individual tutoring in a U.S. university setting. Flagships also offer advanced language and long-term cultural immersion overseas, where students enroll in foreign universities and do immersion internships through partnerships with international organizations and corporations.

Pros and cons to joining a flagship program

Pros:

• allows for advanced language and culture learning
• learners will be expected to reach superior level in speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• long-term cultural immersion overseas
• opportunities for immersion internships through partnerships with international organizations and corporations
• learners are educated on all essential Korean topics including politics, society, culture, current issues, etc.
• instruction is based on task-based learning
• offers access to senior-level professors and experts in language acquisition
• more one-on-one attention from instructors and professors
• a very motivating environment

Cons:

• training is very rigorous
• requires a capstone paper written in Korean by the end of the program
• more pressure than other methods to learn Korean
• limited number of students admitted
• competitive with limited seats
• learners will need to have some proficiency to get accepted into the program
• limited in number of programs
• requires setting aside a large amount of time to attend in-person classes and even requires moving abroad for a long period of time

This option is best suited for:

• learners who want to learn Korean with the maximum support system
• learners who want to reach superior fluency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• learners looking to work professionally while using their Korean skills
• learners who want an immersive experience
• learners who want an intense experience
• learners who are willing to make their Korean learning their top priority
• learners who have financial means or who qualify for a scholarship

2. Enroll in a Korean Language School

Enrolling in a Korean language school is a great way to have the structure of a school system without the commitment to a degree. Students of language schools only focus on their language skills and have the opportunity to learn Korean in a unique environment that fosters motivation and speaking skills.

What is a language school?

Language schools are schools dedicated to educating students in languages and that contain language programs for non-degree-seeking students. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and the Middlebury College Language Schools are two prominent and influential language schools that include immersion-oriented Korean language programs.

Pros and cons of enrolling in a language school:

Pros:

• students are expected to obtain high proficiency and become knowledgeable about Korean culture, customs, and history
• students are also introduced to Korean music, dancing, traditional food, literature, and the arts
• access to high-quality instructors
• unique environment that pretty much guarantees that learners will speak Korean for the duration of the program
• Middlebury includes a language pledge, where students pledge to only speak the target language the duration of the program
• lots of extracurricular activities and a variety of ways to learn Korean at all times of the day

Cons:

• learners must be either in the armed services, already employed by the federal government, or working for a law enforcement agency in order to enroll at the DLIFLC
• learners enrolled in the DLIFLC will be trained in Korean language and vocabulary associated with the military (which is only applicable to those with these learning goals)

This option is best suited for:

• Those who want to learn Korean in a highly controlled and curated environment
• Those who want pressure to speak Korean
• Those who have the financial means or scholarship
• Those who want lots of activities to do in Korean
• Those who want to learn the language quickly

3. Study Abroad / Direct Enrollment

Many students are determined to visit “the actual land and its people” rather than just learn about Korea remotely. A study abroad program is more than a way to learn Korean; it is a way to experience Korea.

What is a study abroad?

The authors of the article “Study Abroad Programs in American Colleges and Their Relevance for Korean Language and Culture Education” state that there are many types of study abroad programs, including long-term, year-long, semester-long, short-term, and faculty-led programs. These programs involved travel as well as attending classes on various subjects, from language to culture. Direct enrollment programs allow students to directly enroll in a Korean university to take classes there.

Pros and cons of joining a study abroad program:

Pros:

• learners get to actually go to Korea rather than just learning remotely
• learners get to directly experience the diverse cultural aspects of Korea
• learners make significant gains in reading, writing, speaking, and listening
• study abroad learners outperform academic learners at home regarding oral proficiency and fluency
• leads to greater motivation, reading, and vocabulary development
• allows for learners to explore their identities in a way that is not possible when learning in a different environment outside the community
• learners are able to visit locations that are culturally significant, which will help them understand the Korean people better

Cons:

• language exposure and use are sometimes limited in homestay-type study abroads
• learners may use their native language considerably more than the target language
• vast differences between cultures can inhibit the formation of close relationships in and out of the homestay setting

This option is best suited for:

• learners who want to learn Korean while in Korea
• learners who want to visit culturally significant locations
• learners who want to directly experience the diverse culture of Korea
• learners who want more freedom in their learning experience compared to a more intense program
• learners who are excited to have new experiences
• learners who are tough enough to manage culture shock and homesickness
• learners who are confident they will be able to push themselves to speak Korean
• learners who are not afraid to put themselves out there to form new relationships
• learners who have the financial means or are able to get a scholarship
• learners who are willing to travel for a short or long period of time

4. Enroll in College Classes / a Korean Major or Minor Program

Taking college classes is another method of studying Korean. Colleges offer many options, from enrolling in just one Korean class to majoring in the Korean language to get a bachelor’s degree.

What does a college program intel?

Sohn holds that regular programs are designed to develop students’ expertise in language and literature, covering many topics, including language history, linguistic structure, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, language pedagogy, literary history, criticism, and cultural studies, and opines that many graduates of regular programs can aspire to become university faculty in Korean language, linguistics, or literature. While Sohn’s claims hold true for some students, there are also many other fields that students of Korean programs may aspire to work in, including translation, interpretation, careers in the public sector, including diplomatic corps and armed forces, law, business, travel and hospitality, or many other fields, although many of these will require further training or education.

Pros and cons of enrolling in a college program or class

Pros:

• enrolling in a college program includes all the pros and cons of getting a degree, such as earning a higher salary and having more job opportunities available
• many scholarships are available to those who learn critical languages, such as Korean
• enrolling in a college program will open doors to other methods, such as flagship programs or studying abroad
• taking Korean classes in college can be convenient for those already pursuing a degree

Cons:

• getting a degree can be expensive and time-consuming
• college comes with deadlines and pressure to get good grades
• Korean instruction can be limited as class time is limited
• learning can be focused on test-taking and grades rather than on task-based learning or actually speaking Korean
• classes will be on general topics such as culture or history rather than more personalized subjects of interest
• the ratio of students per professor may be large, leading to less one-on-one help

This option is best suited for:

• those already seeking a degree
• those who have a nearby college which teaches Korean classes
• those who may not want to travel far
• those who want to focus on a well-rounded education rather than just looking to learn Korean
• those who have the financial means or access to scholarships

5. Intensive Summer Programs

Intensive summer programs can be a great way to gain proficiency quickly and with less of a time commitment than some other methods.

What does an intensive summer program look like?

Chen-Maynard, Doueiri, and Gotch shared that “summer intensive language programs are extremely effective and affordable avenues to gain language and cultural proficiency in a relatively short period, and sometimes at a lower cost than studying abroad.” These are programs that pack a lot of hours of language study and use in a short period of time, allowing learners to make greater gains with less time commitment.

Pros and cons of intensive summer programs

Pros:

• learners are expected to make a lot of progress in a short amount of time
• intensive summer programs allow for learners to really focus on their Korean learning without any other distractions for the duration of the program due to the shorter time-commitment
• programs can be extremely effective and affordable
• programs are high-paced and include a lot of information in a little amount of time, so learners will know that time spent in an intensive summer program will be
• can be extremely stimulating; learners will not get bored
• learners will be surrounded by other dedicated students
• leads to greater oral proficiency than taking college classes
• students are monitored constantly, leading to more pressure to speak Korean

Cons:

• intensive summer programs are shorter than other programs and will come to an end soon, so they should be used along with other methods
• learners will need to have the financial means and time to dedicate to the program
• they have a limited number of seats and it may be competitive to get into one
• can be extremely demanding for some learners
• students are monitored constantly so there is less freedom
• the lesson plans are already finalized and will be centered on general Korean learning rather than any personalized needs

This option is best suited for:

• those who want to see big results in a short amount of time
• those who want structure and support while learning Korean
• those who want to dedicate money and time to learning Korean for a short period
• those who desire to study in a motivating and engaging environment
• those who wish to speak Korean more
• those who wish to have accountability
• those who are not looking for a long-term commitment

6. Learn Korean Online From Home

Learning Korean online is completely possible, although it is more challenging than learning in country or through a program. It is the online student’s responsibility to choose an online program that involves interactive components and to find ways to interact with Korean culture, whether in real life or through online means.

What does learning Korean online look like?

Due to the vastness of online content, online learning is diverse. There are many ways to learn Korean online, including structured programs through both independent companies and educational institutions, accessing native content and entertainment, YouTube videos, apps, and blogs.

Pros and cons of learning Korean online

Pros:

• gives learners freedom from time and space constraints
• increases availability of current and authentic materials
• allows for various modes of language input
• students have unlimited access to content, can review lectures, and can access learning activities at any time, which allows for better reinforcement of what was learned
• immediate feedback is possible in many cases, which can reinforce learning instantly
• flexibility and interactivity in that students choose to work where and when they would like and get to choose what is suitable for their level
• online learning permits more dynamic and multi-dimensional learning, so students can be in complete control of their learning by retrieving, reviewing, and repeating materials at their own pace
• students can access Korea from home and feel a purpose in learning Korean even from home
• Students can improve their listening skills through video, and through access to online dictionaries, they can access thousands of vocabulary spellings and uses
• Authentic materials expose students to the reality of Korean culture and offer much knowledge
• Jihyun Jeon claims that hundreds of research projects have been conducted to prove that using web-based materials to teach and learn is better than using books, teachers, films, or other traditional methods for language instruction
• students who watch online TV shows gain sociolinguistic tools on topics such as honorifics and address terms, gender and language, dialects, and internet language
• YouTube is the easiest way to learn about new cultures indirectly

Cons:

• learners may lose motivation and stop learning due to lack of accountability
• students may develop the habit of “binge studying” rather than consistently studying Korean over a long period of time
• time spent studying will usually be spent in front of a computer screen without interaction with the learning environment
• Students studying online in real time often cannot attract the teacher’s attention and receive direct and continuous feedback and follow-up as a student in the classroom would be able to
• in-class learning is likely to have more variety and be tailored to more students
• students who learn online will not practice in the language community or the cultural environment
• most of the online student’s time will be spent learning the theoretical side of the language
• lack of interactive and cooperative learning in most cases
• In many cases, students may not be able to get continuous evaluations and feedback on their performance
• flexibility can be a challenge in itself in some cases, when a student may not know what level they are at or what content is suitable for them
• no amount of online learning can replace face-to-face communication when learning a language
• Peaco’s research findings included that those who combated shyness and frequently conversed with native speakers had higher test scores, while those who were shy and preferred using YouTube had lower scores

This option is best suited for:

• Those with financial, time, or logistic limitations
• Those whose main goal is understanding Korean rather than speaking it
• Those motivated enough to self-study
• Those who are good at planning or being consistent
• Those who are not in a crunch to learn Korean
• Those who are resourceful

Jeon conducted a study in 2004 evaluating the effectiveness of Korean online courses. Jeon stated that since online Korean courses are being treated as a substitute for traditional language instruction, it is vital to determine their effectiveness in terms of content, organization, task variety, technical support, and the learners’ accessibility to learning resources, et cetera

7. Hire a Private Tutor

It is the learner’s responsibility to find a tutor who is well trained in language teaching and is ideally a native Korean speaker. Learners should also be sure to hold themselves accountable to having lessons consistently rather than rescheduling or canceling lessons without good reason.

What do private lessons intel?

Valerio defines private language teaching as “one-to-one language classes usually requested by adults to improve their communication skills in business as well as in their private lives.”

Pros and cons to hiring a private tutor:

Pros:

• language learning has the potential to be highly personalized
• lessons are flexible, which is suitable for working people
• absence of any competition

Cons:

• can be expensive, which sometimes is not well balanced with quality of service
• tutor may not be properly trained in language teaching education, which can lead to low-quality results
• there is not much regulation in this sector
• student’s learning styles are often neglected
• due to the flexible nature of the method, lessons are often postponed or canceled and may not be held consistently
• long pauses between lessons may affect skill level as well as motivation to learn Korean
• most students will quit before reaching a higher level if the lessons are poor in quality

This option is best suited for:

• those whose schedules make joining a program difficult
• those with the financial means
• those who desire to increase their Korean speaking ability
• learners who are able to find a qualified teacher who is a good match for the learner and their learning style

No matter how you go about learning Korean, it will take hard work and dedication, but I promise you it will be worth it! You can do it! Hwaiting~