Language Centre

Korean Beginners Course

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Key information

Duration
1 term per sub-level; 10 weeks per term
Attendance mode
Part-time: online/on campus

Course overview

Course aim

The course aims to provide a thorough introduction to basic Korean with the accent on practical spoken Korean; to provide familiarity with the Korean pronunciation and script; coverage of basic grammar and essential vocabulary and the ability to communicate within a limited range of situations. This course is delivered by the Language Centre

Method

The course is taught in English and Korean and includes coverage of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and a good balance between understanding the systems of Korean grammar and vocabulary, developing the skills of comprehending and producing Korean in speech and writing, guided practice in language usage and use and authentic communicative activities.

Online course 

This will be achieved through 20 hours of blended learning: this is composed of 15 hours of online structured lessons with the teacher. This is supplemented by a minimum of 5 hours of guided independent learning supported by complementary material. The course objective will be achieved within the 10-week course.

On campus course

The location will be SOAS, University of London. See SOAS Campus Maps

Room details will be provided once the enrolment period for the course has closed.

Materials

See the Korean course materials

All levels of the Sejong Korean E-Book are available on the Nuri SejongHakdang website.

Course materials are not included in the course fee and can also be purchased from the  SOAS bookshop - bookshop@soas.ac.uk

Entry requirements and progression route

For the first stage of Korean Beginners (i.e. Korean Beginners 1), no previous knowledge is required. To be able to join Beginners 2 or 3 you should have completed Beginners 1 and 2 respectively at SOAS Language Centre or have an equivalent knowledge of guided learning hours (20 hours per each sub-level). The progression route from Korean Beginners 1 is to Korean Beginners 2; from Beginners 2 to Beginners 3. Upon successful completion of Korean Beginners 3 you will be able to progress to the Elementary level course in Korean.

Please note, that each term, courses are subject to quorum requirements.

For course dates and information, please see our timetables

Structure

Korean Beginners 1 

In this course you will cover:

  • the alphabet and pronunciation of Korean
  • greetings
  • countries and nationalities
  • occupations
  • daily routines
  • places
  • location of a thing, person, place
  • going shopping
  • numbers - Pure Korean and Sino Korean
  • prices
  • basic verbs for routines
  • ‘to be’ and ‘to have’
  • verb form – present tense, informal polite style
  • verb form – formal polite style
  • verb form – polite command

Korean Beginners 2

In this course you will cover:

  • talking about past activities
  • describing weather and seasons
  • telling the time
  • talking about weekend activities
  • talking about studying Korean
  • talking about future plans
  • use of connective adverb
  • making negative sentences
  • use of location marker
  • use of time marker 
  • making suggestions and appointments
  • verb form – past tense
  • verb form – future tense
  • verb form – shall we...?
  • verb form – let’s...

Korean Beginners 3

In this course you will cover:

  • further pleasantries
  • talking about hobbies
  • ordering food and describing the taste of food
  • using different types of transport
  • asking for directions
  • talking over the phone
  • describing appearance
  • question words
  • conjunctive adverbs
  • casual connective
  • noun modifier
  • direction maker
  • verb form – cannot
  • verb form – would like to…
  • verb form – how long does it take?
  • verb form – could you please…?
  • verb form – checking questions
  • verb form – continuous form

The above is an indication of content that may be covered over the duration of the course but it could vary depending on the level and progress of students in the class.

Contact us

  • korean@soas.ac.uk

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules

See the full list of Language Centre short courses in Korean on the Korean language homepage

Related information

Back to the Language Centre