Samantha
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Wanna Learn Korean? 12 Exciting Websites You Should Know About in 2023
When you start learning Korean, trying to find the right online resources can be overwhelming.
Which one should you choose?
In this list, I’m covering the top websites for learning Korean that you’ll need along your journey to mastering the language.
Contents
- Memrise
- FluentU
- Talking2Koreans
- Go! Billy Korean
- KoreanClass101
- Dom & Hyo
- Cyber University of Korea: Quick Korean
- Talk to Me in Korean
- How to Study Korean
- GLOSS Korean
- Naver or Daum Webtoons
- Naver or Daum Blogs
- Study Tips for Making the Most of Learning Korean Online
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Memrise
Beginner
While Memrise isn’t exclusively a Korean study site, it has a ton of Korean sections from which to choose. If you’re an absolute beginner who still needs to learn Hangul, head here to begin learning pronunciation.
Choose “Courses,” go to “Korean” and search for “A Lesson Hangul.” Start practicing and listening to the sounds. Using multiple-choice quizzes, you’ll learn the alphabet and even vocabulary words in no time.
FluentU
Beginner–Advanced
The FluentU program uses authentic Korean videos for an immersive learning experience.
The program’s library includes a wide variety of contemporary videos featuring native Korean speakers. This means you’ll be able to experience modern Korean as it’s spoken today in a variety of contexts, such as K-pop music videos, commercials, sketch comedy, inspirational talks and more. Learning with this kind of content can help you feel and sound more comfortable conversing, but it can be difficult and sometimes inefficient on your own. FluentU’s learning tools seek to circumvent this problem.
Every video is equipped with interactive captions in English and Korean, which provide you with contextual definitions without leaving the video. You can toggle these on or off to fit your needs and save new words to personalized flashcards.
Personalized, multimedia quizzes help you study new words from your flashcard list as well as after each video.
Especially if you’re also using another course, the FluentU video dictionary can be helpful. After typing a word into the search bar, you can see the word’s meaning in English, how it’s used in written and video context, as well as a memorable picture definition.
The program is available on Android, iOS, or through the web.
Talking2Koreans
Beginner
Prefer to study from a textbook? Talking2Korean might just be for you.
What began as language activities for a popular language textbook in Australian universities eventually blossomed into a couple of textbooks. The professors continuously revised their content based on ongoing student feedback to make their dialogues as realistic as possible. They did this to get their students to speak to each other immediately and in a natural manner, instead of having them base their learning on traditional polite speech.
Talking2Koreans has mostly free resources, including a couple of eBooks, audio files, vocab lists and self-tests. The textbook “Strategies for Communicating in Korean” can also be found on Amazon.
Go! Billy Korean
Beginner
Although Billy began his journey back in 2005 and now lives in South Korea, he still considers himself to be a student of the language. Compared to native Korean speakers, Billy has a unique perspective on learning the language. Therefore, he’s able to explain complex grammar forms in terms that native English speakers will understand.
Go! Billy Korean is a great place to start since it’s filled with approachable and entertaining content on language, lifestyle and travel. In addition to the website, you can check out his series of books called “Korean Made Simple,” available in print and eBook formats. You may also download them as audiobooks for free.
KoreanClass101
Beginner–Advanced
While many of its resources require a paid plan, this site has a ton of free material to begin learning basic vocabulary and even phrases. One fun feature is its vocabulary lists, which are often updated for the holidays.
The free material mainly uses audio to teach you. Lesson PDFs, reviews, dialogue audio and interactive learning features are available with a membership only. Either way, it’s excellent for listening practice.
Dom & Hyo
Beginner–Intermediate
This site is best for beginners who want to learn with colorful illustrations. Dom is an ESL teacher in Korea and an active student. His wife, Hyo, is a native Korean who can double-check his work, so you know you’re getting accurate graphics.
His comics are fun and easy. They’re great to save and have on hand for quick reference. He also has comics describing daily Korean life, which are in both English and Korean. You can practice your reading comprehension here as your level gets more advanced.
Cyber University of Korea: Quick Korean
Beginner–Intermediate
For those who crave a bit more of an academic setting, I’d recommend the Cyber University of Korea’s own free online course, “Quick Korean.”
While I wouldn’t recommend it for an absolute beginner, if you’re at a stage where you want to move beyond basic vocabulary words, this is for you.
Talk to Me in Korean
Intermediate–Advanced
Easily one of the most popular online Korean resources, Talk to Me in Korean is an awesome program with native Korean speakers who really understand how to break down more difficult grammar points.
It’s mainly a podcast, but each lesson comes with a PDF of the lesson as well (or you can buy the workbooks in a bundle). While I love TTMIK and listen to the podcasts, I do warn it’s not for a beginner. It’s best to completely know Hangul and build up a vocabulary list before you dive in.
How to Study Korean
Intermediate–Advanced
This site is an excellent resource for those who prefer more reading and writing versus listening. It’s thoroughly organized into units. With each lesson, they introduce you to new vocabulary before thoroughly explaining a grammar point. They then provide multiple sample sentences for every situation to help you practice it.
I noticed that when I was studying Korean and needed to search for clarification, this is the site that would pop up and be the most useful.
GLOSS Korean
Advanced
The Global Language Online Support System (GLOSS) is actually a product of the Defense Language Institute (DLI), part of the United States Department of Defense (DoD). One of its main objectives is training American personnel in foreign languages, and Korean is one of them.
GLOSS Korean is definitely for the more advanced learner as it bases its lessons off of real material like newspapers or television shows to really ensure fluency. This is also great if you want more serious reading to test your comprehension.
Naver or Daum Webtoons
Advanced
Webtoons are an incredibly popular form of entertainment in Korea for all ages. If you prefer something more lighthearted, start scrolling through the hundreds of webtoons available on Korea’s two main search platforms, Naver and Daum. Important to note: Webtoons are designed more for mobile devices than your laptop.
Naver or Daum Blogs
Advanced
Another resource to use is the multitude of blogs on these same platforms. Look for topics that interest you and change the search to 블로그 (blog). You’ll be able to find something that interests you and get an understanding of how Koreans might write or speak. This is great to pair with the more formal GLOSS, as you’ll come to understand the way a typical Korean speaks.
Study Tips for Making the Most of Learning Korean Online
- Make a schedule and stick to it. If you enrolled in (and paid good money for) a course that holds class every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., how often would you miss class? I’m betting you’d have next to perfect attendance. The same should go for online learning. I highly recommend setting aside about an hour of study each night to learn Korean with websites. And yes, at a certain level, watching your favorite Korean movie, whether you’re renting or using Netflix, totally counts.
- Keep a notebook. Nothing helps you remember how to do something more than physically writing it down, especially if you need to learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Oftentimes, you may have the option of doing little exercises. Either print them out or use your notebook to write down your answers.
- Find somewhere you can talk. You need to be able to repeat after the virtual teachers at some point or sound out new vocabulary. Make sure you have a space where you can do this.
- Use something to warm up your screen. Huh? Okay, hear me out. Don’t your eyes get tired after staring at a screen for too long? Mine certainly do. Downloading software or using a plugin that “warms” up the blue screen will make studying and reading online much easier. I prefer f.lux, but there are quite a few free, safe options out there. This is going to especially help if you schedule your hour later in the evening.
Well, there you have it! A collection of amazing websites for learning Korean to bring you from total beginner to fluent speaker.
These sites will give you a range of options for whichever part of language learning you want to focus on—listening, writing, speaking or reading.
화이팅 (good luck)!
Samantha is a freelancer and travel blogger. She majored in Spanish as an undergraduate and taught English in Korea for two years while studying the language. Check out her adventures over at There She Goes Again.
