The 11 Best Korean Lessons
Where Can You Get the Best Korean Lessons Online?
There are many reasons why people learn the Korean language. Maybe you're a K-drama fan eager to understand your favorite binge-worthy series without relying on subtitles. Or perhaps you're eyeing a career opportunity in South Korea and want to impress your future colleagues with your language skills. And let's not forget the thrill of traveling to Korea and being able to navigate the streets and connect with locals in their own language.
Learning Korean does come with its unique challenges compared to languages like Spanish or French. For starters, there's Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, which is surprisingly easy to pick up - but still requires some practice. Then there's the grammar, with its subject-object-verb word order and intricate honorifics system that adds layers of nuance to your speech.
Wednesday, December 4th
2024 Korean Lesson Reviews
Memrise
Memrise offers a simple and fun approach to learning, with native speaker video clips to guide you through every step. Whether you're a beginner tackling the basics or an advanced student honing your skills, Memrise has something for everyone. From mastering the Korean alphabet to picking up idiomatic expressions, Memrise provides a comprehensive learning experience. With a free account offering indefinite access and affordable paid memberships unlocking advanced features, Memrise stands out as our top pick for Korean lessons that are effective, authentic, and enjoyable.
Korean Class 101
Korean Class 101 is one of the only options for Korean lessons that range from total beginner up to an advanced level. You could potentially use the free content on this platform to take you from start to finish in your studies, although there are several paid tiers that add services like flashcards and even working with an assigned instructor. Korean Class 101 does a great job of incorporating culture and grammar into its dialogue-oriented lessons, and you don't have to worry about leaderboards or streaks with its straightforward approach to teaching. These lessons have something for everyone, and you can take our rating as encouragement for you to take a look at Korean Class 101.
italki
Learning Korean can be tough when you don't have anyone to practice with, but italki makes it easy by connecting you with lots of tutors. You can choose from over 300 of them, and even get a trial lesson for as low as $4. You get to see intro videos of tutors to pick the one you like, and booking lessons is simple. Plus, many tutors can give you offline homework, so that your Korean lessons incorporate reading and writing and not just conversation. While italki might not be for everyone, especially if you feel nervous about making mistakes or don't have access to a quiet space for your video sessions, it's a great way to improve your Korean if you're not surrounded by native speakers.
Busuu
Busuu is one of several options you have for taking beginning Korean lessons that are free (supported by ads) with an option to upgrade to an affordable monthly membership. The lessons are approachable and help you learn to read, speak, write, and understand Korean, getting feedback from native speakers (and maybe even helping them with their English along the way). Hundreds of thousands of people have given the Busuu app a five-star review, saying it's their favorite of the ad-supported language platforms out there today. You won't get much more than a basic level of fluency, but Busuu's risk-free Korean lessons are worth trying.
Rocket Languages
Rocket Languages is the perfect platform for Korean lessons if you're a beginner who doesn't want the hassle of a subscription. You'll pay one time (less than $100) to get all 7 modules of Rocket Korean Level 1, which will take you through the basics of speaking, writing, reading, and listening, with helpful cultural context interwoven throughout. You can access a sample lesson with nothing more than your name and email address, and even if you decide to buy Rocket Korean, you're protected by a 60-day, 100% satisfaction guarantee. We give these lessons a 4-star rating and highly recommend them for anyone who doesn't want the pressure of a monthly plan, leaderboards, or streaks as they begin to study Korean.
Pimsleur
Pimsleur is best known for teaching new languages using a primarily audio-based approach. This applies even to languages like Korean that don't use the same alphabet we're familiar with using in English. Fortunately, when you choose a Premium plan here, you'll get access to plenty of visual tools for learning how to read and write Korean too. Try the free Korean lesson through the link at the top of the site, and rest assured that you'll get a 7-day free trial if you decide to subscribe. While this isn't going to be everyone's favorite way to learn, especially for those who crave a more visual approach, the audio-focused lessons at Pimsleur will be the perfect fit for anyone who wants to learn Korean by listening.
Coursera
Millions of people use Coursera to learn Korean (and many, many other subjects). The platform is free to use, but you've got the option to pay a one-time fee or subscribe if you're interested in getting a Certificate of Completion when you're finished. With five-star reviews from tens of thousands of students, Coursera's First Step Korean is a great place to begin your studies, with lessons that gently-yet-knowledgeably walk you through the basics of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. While the platform has a few drawbacks compared with some options for Korean lessons, they're pretty minor - especially considering that you're not paying anything here. There's a lot to love about Coursera, and you've got nothing to lose by giving the platform a try when you're ready to study the Korean language.
90 Day Korean
90 Day Korean offers a full year of Korean lessons, broken down into 4 units of 90 days each (hence the name). You can opt for the standard plan or upgrade to VIP, which connects you with an native speaker who will correct homework assignments and coach you on your learning progress. The program comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, but a lack of a meaningful trial subscription or sample lesson makes it hard for prospective students to get a feel for how 90 Day Korean actually works. We've seen good feedback from students and bloggers, but these Korean lessons need to show a bit more upfront to rank higher than average on our list.
Mondly
Mondly's app (and desktop version) offers interactive lessons and games to keep you motivated as you learn Korean, with features like Chatbot and Augmented Reality for practice. Starting is easy and free, but those more advanced features require a subscription. Keep in mind that Mondly was recently acquired by Pearson, and while it has many positive reviews, some users have raised concerns about the app's functionality and accuracy. Still, with a free trial available, it's relatively low-risk to give Mondly a try to see if it's the right fit for you.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone is the OG of language learning systems, first introduced in 1992. Korean is one of the 25 languages available through the platform, which takes an immersion approach to teaching you how to speak, read, write, and understand. That tends to work better for languages that use the same alphabet as English, but the Korean-only way that Rosetta Stone throws you in the deep end is confusing at best. And, now that the company has done away with its former 3-day free trial, you'll have to rely on the 30-day refund policy to get your money back if you choose to subscribe sight unseen.
Duolingo
Our experience with Duolingo for learning Korean was disappointing, to say the least. While it may have its merits for learning where a student has prior knowledge or experience with a similar language, such as trying Portuguese after mastering Spanish, when it comes to Korean, it falls short. The content feels disconnected from reality, focusing on quirky phrases rather than practical vocabulary and grammar. Streaks become the main motivation rather than actual learning, and the exercises feel endlessly repetitive. Despite its cute animations, Duolingo lacks substance, leaving us feeling frustrated and unfulfilled in our language learning journey. If you're considering using Duolingo for Korean, especially as a total beginner, it's best to look elsewhere for a more effective and engaging learning experience.
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But don't let that intimidate you. With dedication and the right resources, you'll find yourself making steady progress in no time. You'll be opening doors to a whole new world of culture, entertainment, and connections that come with being able to speak Korean fluently.
Learning Korean online gives you plenty of options to choose from, each tailored to suit different learning styles and preferences. You can dive into listening-only programs, where you focus on authentic conversations to sharpen your ear for the language. If you're into games, you might enjoy gamified platforms that turn learning Korean into a fun challenge, with points and rewards (and streaks) to keep you motivated.
Interactive courses are another great choice, offering a mix of videos, quizzes, and exercises that give you instant feedback and guidance. They're perfect if you like a structured approach to Korean that covers all the bases, from reading and writing to speaking and listening.
Or maybe you're more of a people person and thrive on interaction. In that case, tutoring platforms would be your go-to. You can connect with native speakers for real conversations and cultural exchange, making learning Korean a social experience.
Ready to get started? There are so many Korean lessons to choose from, it could feel a bit overwhelming to know which one to use. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get excited about learning and want to pick the right platform:
- Current fluency level. Do you already speak (or read) some Korean? Or are you a newbie? No shame in that game. Make sure you choose the Korean lessons that match where you're at.
- Method of language instruction. How are the Korean lessons delivered? Is it through an app, audio files, an internet browser on your laptop, or something else? What do you think will work best for your learning style?
- Listening, speaking, reading, writing. Do the language lessons teach you Korean mostly through listening and speaking, through reading and writing, or a mix of all four modalities? We're all for being well-rounded language learners, and because Korean uses a different alphabet than the one you're reading right now, you can't fake your way into reading it unless you know how the letters are pronounced and combined to make syllables and words. Keep that in mind if you're using Korean lessons that are primarily audio-based.
- Cost. What will you pay for your Korean language lessons? Is it a one-time fee or an ongoing subscription? If there's a free option, what do you get at no cost and is it worth it to upgrade?
- Learner reviews. Pay close attention to what other Korean students say about their experience with the lesson platform. Did they experience a meaningful improvement in their fluency by using it? How long did it take to see improvements?
To help you find the right Korean lessons for your language goals and favorite way of learning, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have tried some of today's most popular options and given you an honest take on what you can expect from each one. So what are you waiting for? Dive in and start your Korean learning journey today!
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