Samantha
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The 28 Best Korean Learning Websites 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
- 1. Memrise
- 2. FluentU
- 3. Talking2Koreans
- 4. Go! Billy Korean
- 5. Loecsen
- 6. Digital Dialects
- 7. Hangul Forest
- 8. My Languages
- 9. Lingo
- 10. ilanguages
- 11. Langintro
- 12. Genki Korean
- 13. The National Institute of Korean Language
- 14. Book2
- 15. Linguanaut
- 16. LP’s Korean Language Learning
- 17. Dom & Hyo
- 18. Cyber University of Korea: Quick Korean
- 19. Learn With Oliver
- 20. KoreanClass101
- 21. Learn Korean Language
- 22. Learn-korean.net
- 23. italki
- 24. Talk to Me in Korean
- 25. How to Study Korean
- 26. GLOSS Korean
- 27. Naver
- 28. Daum
- 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)
1. Memrise
Beginner
While Memrise isn’t exclusively a Korean study site, it has a ton of Korean sections to choose from. If you’re an absolute beginner who still needs to learn Hangul, head over 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.
By the way, here’s a full review of Memrise.
2. FluentU
Beginner-Advanced
The FluentU program uses authentic Korean videos for an immersive learning experience.
Here's a quick look at the variety of video choices available to you:
Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.
Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.
Don't stop there, though. You can use FluentU’s unique quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions.
FluentU even tracks your progress and remembers all the words you've learned, making for a 100% personalized experience.
Review sessions use video context to help embed the words in your memory. The best part? You can access the full FluentU video library with a free trial!
Start using FluentU Korean on the website or download the app from the iTunes or Google Play store.
3. Talking2Koreans
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.
4. Go! Billy Korean
Beginner
Although Billy began his journey back in 2005 and now lives in South Korea, he still considers himself a student of Korean. 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 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.
5. Loecsen
Like any decent beginner site, Loecsen starts with the very basics—namely, Hangul. It also covers vocabulary and grammar basics before moving on to the meat and potatoes of the site: everyday conversations.
When you click the Hangul and its romanization, you’ll hear how it’s pronounced. Every new word or phrase also comes with an image to help you better remember what you learn.
6. Digital Dialects
Digital Dialects helps you learn the Korean language through games specially designed for the particular topic you’re studying. You can choose to learn about numbers from 1-100, fruits and vegetables, general vocabulary, days and months and more.
If you don’t want to dive straight into the games, that’s all right: they all come with “lecture notes” (for lack of a better word) as well as quizzes.
7. Hangul Forest
Despite its name, Hangul Forest won’t only teach you Hangul. It also covers grammar (specifically, how to make interrogative sentences), nouns, adjectives, verbs, conjunctions, adverbs and pronouns, among others.
In case your Korean fix isn’t satisfied, they have links at the bottom that will point you to other places where you can pick up Korean.
8. My Languages
My Languages can give you a decent grasp of the basics—from Hangul to everyday phrases. For those who prefer to listen to their language lessons, they have an “Audio” and “Radio” tab.
And if you want to spice things up a little, click “Game” to put what you’ve learned into practice—and have fun at the same time.
9. Lingo
The lessons on Lingo cover a wide variety of subjects: greetings, ordering at a restaurant, travel, business Korean, numbers, time and even art. As for grammar, you’ll pick up present, past and future tenses.
The one downside to this site is you’ll have to sign up to get five free lessons, and the rest are paid.
10. ilanguages
If you want to brush up on your basics or learn the most useful Korean phrases as quickly as you can, ilanguages has you covered. As of this writing, it has about 220 flashcards to help you learn new words, phrases and grammar.
Once you’re done, you can take their quiz to assess your knowledge.
11. Langintro
Langintro is exactly what it sounds like: an introduction to all the aspects of Korean that are useful for practical, everyday conversations. There’s also a section on the Korean words for body parts, which can come in handy if you need a doctor during your travels in Korea.
You can download the tutorials to your computer, or click “Other Korean Links” and “Korean Textbooks” once you’re ready to move on to the next phase of your Korean studies.
12. Genki Korean
Like Digital Dialects, Genki Korean focuses mainly on games. In fact, the site actually encourages you to try out the games even if you don’t feel like you have a good handle on the topic yet. The only one grading you is the site—so don’t be shy about making mistakes.
My only gripe is that “genki” is a Japanese word (which can mean “energetic” or “all right?” depending on the context) rather than a Korean one. That nitpick aside, enjoy the games!
13. The National Institute of Korean Language
Government websites are often an underrated resource for language learning materials. But hey, what better way to learn Korean than from the country’s official “language regulator”?
For example, if you click any of the tabs in the link above, you will learn Hangul, the romanization of each alphabet, pronunciations, sound changes and intonation. At the end of each lesson, you can take a quiz.
14. Book2
This isn’t so much a website as it is an app available on iOS and Android. The lessons consist of 100 topics, and you can listen to audio from native speakers. The example sentences are chosen specifically for how likely you’ll use them in real life, so your practical Korean can hit the ground running.
Also, if you prefer reading books instead, you can also buy a physical copy of the lessons.
15. Linguanaut
For some reason, the section on “Korean Adjectives” is listed before “Korean Alphabet,” which seems a bit unintuitive to me. Then again, the sections are likely arranged alphabetically rather than by topic.
In any case, this is another bite-sized resource to help you whip your basics into shape with intermediate additions like idioms and survival terms.
16. LP’s Korean Language Learning
Don’t let the rather dated web design fool you. The lessons on this website are arranged in a logical order, starting from the Korean alphabet all the way to expressions.
If you’re more of a visual learner, there’s also a section on the site that redirects you to YouTube videos you can learn Korean from.
17. 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.
18. 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 to an absolute beginner, if you’re at a stage where you want to move beyond basic vocabulary words, this is for you.
19. Learn With Oliver
On “Learn With Oliver,” you’ll find flashcards, texts, newsletters, games and more on Korean. There are also monthly quizzes to test your knowledge as well as writing and listening exercises.
If you sign up your email, you can also gain access to a free newsletter that delivers daily exercises right into your inbox. I would argue that, even with the Free Basic Account, you already get a ton of goodies.
20. 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.
21. Learn Korean Language
Contrary to its name, Learn Korean Language won’t only teach you words and grammar. You can also pick up vital cultural and historical tidbits on important events in Korea like the Korean War (which is technically still ongoing, since the two countries involved still haven’t signed an official peace treaty).
There’s even a section on Korea’s most famous martial art: taekwondo.
22. Learn-korean.net
When you sign up on the site, you can gain access to a ton of lessons from the beginner to advanced levels.
Aside from the usual language learning content, though, the site takes it a step further and introduces you to the wonderful world of Kpop.
23. italki
italki isn’t strictly a Korean language learning site. Rather, it’s a place where you can find tutors who teach the language you want to learn.
You can pick your tutor according to their specialty/lesson category (e.g., spelling, conversation practice, business Korean), availability, other languages spoken (if any) and even the country they’re from.
If you’re a beginner, you could benefit from someone who’s fluent in both English and Korean and resides in Korea. If you’re an advanced learner, on the other hand, you may not have much trouble with (and even be appreciative of) a Korean-speaking tutor even if they don’t speak a word of your native language.
Read a full review of italki here.
24. Talk to Me in Korean
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.
25. How to Study Korean
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 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.
26. 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.
27. Naver
Naver is one of Korea’s two main search platforms (we’ll get into the other one in a bit). You’ll find a ton of webtoons on Naver—not to mention blogs that you’ll come across if you type 블로그 (blog) into the search bar. Webtoons are best viewed via a mobile device, while blogs on any topic you choose can be read anywhere.
Oh, and if you want to navigate the exciting world of Korean social media, you can also go to Naver Band.
28. Daum
Similar to Naver, Daum is a major search platform in Korea. There are also a ton of webtoons you can browse via Daum, as well as blogs.
Whether you use Naver or Daum, you may want to pair either (or both) with GLOSS Korean to better understand how average Korean conversations go.
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.
