Korean Course

Contents overview:

Level 1 – Basic Communication & Everyday Korean

At this beginner level, learners are introduced to the most essential elements of Korean, such as how to say “is” or “is not” and how to use formal versus informal speech. Simple greetings like “Hello” and “Thank you” are covered, along with basic sentence endings to form polite statements. Learners start using everyday verbs and adjectives like “go,” “come,” and “eat.” They also learn to talk about places using expressions like “go to” or “come from,” tell time and dates, and ask basic questions using words like “what,” “who,” “where,” “when,” and “how.” Reading and speaking Korean numbers, both native and Sino-Korean, is also introduced.

Level 2 – Talking About the Past, Future, and Preferences

Here, learners begin using the past tense and expressing desires, such as saying what they want to do. They learn to form negative sentences and talk about the weather and locations using descriptive vocabulary like “in front of,” “behind,” or “next to.” Self-introductions become more detailed, including information about family, hobbies, and daily routines. Adverbs that show frequency, like “often,” “sometimes,” and “always”, are introduced. Students also learn to talk about the future, ongoing actions, and how to handle shopping situations by asking for prices, quantities, and even bargaining politely.

Level 3 – Explaining Reasons, Intentions, and Experiences

At this stage, learners dive deeper into expressing reasons and intentions, such as saying why something happened or what they plan to do. They learn how to talk about their experiences and try to do new things, using grammar that turns verbs into nouns. This level also includes an introduction to different levels of respect in grammar when addressing or referring to others. Comparison phrases, like “more than” or “the most,” are covered, along with useful expressions for making plans, inviting others, and talking about health issues or symptoms. Students also learn how to communicate via phone or written messages.

Level 4 – Expressing Emotions, Opinions, and Formal Writing

Learners begin making educated guesses and expressing changes over time. They learn how to ask for favors, make suggestions, and talk about their feelings, such as happiness, sadness, or anger, while giving reasons for those emotions. There’s a focus on comparing past experiences and recalling memories. Time duration expressions are covered, and students are introduced to formal email and letter writing. Idioms and proverbs are introduced to enrich conversation, and learners begin exploring vocabulary related to social issues like the environment and public transportation.

Level 5 – Contrast, Nuance, and Specialized Vocabulary

This level emphasizes more nuanced communication. Learners practice expressing contrast and comparing different perspectives, as well as recalling and sharing past experiences in a natural way. Understanding news articles and writing formal reports or presentations becomes important. Passive and causative expressions are introduced to describe how things are made to happen or happen to someone. Proverbs and idiomatic expressions are used more fluently, and vocabulary expands to cover professional topics such as economics, politics, and culture. Learners also practice agreeing or disagreeing with others in a respectful and clear manner.

Level 6 – Advanced Argumentation, Formal Language, and Cultural Expression

At the highest level, learners explore complex ideas such as inevitability, hypothetical situations, and subtle differences in nuance. They practice writing logically structured essays and arguments, learning how to present claims, support them with evidence, and respond to counterarguments, especially useful in debates. Students deepen their understanding of formal documents, official reports, and editorial texts like columns and opinion pieces. They also begin to form and articulate opinions on social, historical, and cultural topics. Interpreting literary expressions like metaphors and similes is emphasized, along with mastering advanced honorifics, formal registers, and written styles of Korean.