Annyeong peeps!
After some futile attempts to learn Korean previously, I hope I am heading the right path now, armed with several good sources that can motivate me to create a sustainable learning journey.
I must write this down while my passion to learn Korean is still burning. Well, maybe not burning, but at least its warm enough.
If you are a lazy and stingy person like I am, with the intention to learn Korean but always have a ton of excuses to procrastinate then it is important to search for interesting and convenient sources that can help you in learning Korean.
In the following I am going to share some of my favourite ways to immerse yourself in a Korean environment constantly, even if you do not have Korean speaking friends.
Who is your best friend? Your smartphone isn’t it. You don’t need to have a lot of Korean speaking friends, but you sure need your smartphone’s access to wonderful apps.
I tried googling for Korean apps but I often can’t find good ones that can provide me with enough free content.
But yesterday I found a fantastic one, that I merely used it for 1 minute and I know that it is going to be a very beneficial app.
1. Memrise
Why do I find it so beneficial? I love the way they have mems that help you in memorizing words through interesting English sentences that help you remember the Korean word.
Now that I can read Korean words, I need to improve on my vocabulary and grammar. So Memrise is definitely going to be my number 1 app for now to help me remember words.
The only problem with this app is that I have to get access to the internet. While it is not a problem if you have mobile data plans, but I am usually free during the times when I travel to work.
There is not enough signals for my phone when my train trip is totally underground all the way.
So what do you do if you can’t use apps like this when you are travelling underground with no signals?
2. Webtoon (Naver)
Ho ho ho!!! This is another great discovery. Thanks to a tip from a blogger that I read from her blog, she find that she learns Korean efficiently through reading Webtoons. And so I have been searching for webtoons that I might like. It is hard for me at the start because I am not a fan of Manhwa. But it is not the case anymore, after I found the Naver Webtoon app.
Right now, I have to admit that I am not reading Korean webtoons yet because my standard of Korean is pretty low. Even though I can read the word but I cannot understand anything yet.
But its okay, I have an idea to share that I have not put into practice yet. Since Naver has both English version of Webtoon app and the Korean version, I have decided to download both and read Webtoons that have both languages. HAHAHAHA So smart isn’t it? After you read the English version, you can proceed to read the Korean version seems you pretty much understood the meaning, you can get to enjoy webtoon and learn Korean at the same time!!!
Right now, I am reading Tower of God, The Gamer, Orange Marmalade, Under the Aegis, Blue Chair, Doctor Frost. ( English version.) hAHAHH
I am going to find the Korean versions and read it. The problem is I don’t really know how to navigate the Korean app yet. LOL. Its okay I will figure it out somehow.
The webtoons can be downloaded and it lasts for a period of 30 days. So this is one great way to spend your Wifi-less, Data-less trip while on transport.
So what happens if you are just doing your stuff and you cannot stand it being so quiet? Listen to music? Good choice but I am so lazy to download songs to my phone.
This is when the 3rd app comes in useful.
3. Tunein Radio
OMG this is like god sent app. An radio/podcast app that has access to international radio stations and podcasts.
Currently at this very moment, I am plugged in to my earphones and im listening to a random Seoul , KBS radio station. It goes on and on, in Korean.
YAYYY! They also have podcast feed such as Talk to me in Korean and Koreanclass101.com.
So if you want to learn some grammar and vocab you can tune in to those, and when you cant focusmuch and you just want a Korean speaker rambling into your ears, please tune in to the Korean radio stations. They have songs and advertisements that makes it fun to listen as well.
4. Quizlet
Well I just discover this amazing app today. It is an app that allows you to make your own flashcards.
What is more amazing is that after creating your own flashcards you can test yourself as well as your friends by just sharing your flashcards!
What is even more amazing is that when you press your flashcard , it actually reads it out!
Say What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this function because when you type in korean it reads it out too :D Like a teacher that can correct your pronunciation.
You will get a sense of achievement through making your own flashcards, trust me.
*****
I am not someone who can learn much through Kdramas because I will stare at the subtitles. Nor Kpop songs because I will just start making up my own fake Korean lyrics and hum to it.
What is more amazing is that after creating your own flashcards you can test yourself as well as your friends by just sharing your flashcards!
What is even more amazing is that when you press your flashcard , it actually reads it out!
Say What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love this function because when you type in korean it reads it out too :D Like a teacher that can correct your pronunciation.
You will get a sense of achievement through making your own flashcards, trust me.
*****
I am not someone who can learn much through Kdramas because I will stare at the subtitles. Nor Kpop songs because I will just start making up my own fake Korean lyrics and hum to it.
I hope you will find my recommendations above useful and do share with me any tips if you have any!!