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Saturday, November 9th
Looking for a more flexible way to learn Korean that fits into your busy schedule? Mondly might be just what you need. With its app-based lessons and interactive features like games, contests, and leaderboards, staying motivated to learn daily becomes almost effortless. Plus, you can practice conversations with Mondly's Chatbot and even dabble in Augmented Reality for a unique learning experience.
Easy to get started (even if English isn't your first language)
Starting with Mondly is easy and free: simply create an account and dive into the introductory lesson for any of the 40+ languages offered (including Korean). Unlike most language platforms we've evaluated, Mondly doesn't require you to use English as your starting language. So, if your first language is something else, there's a great chance you can use it as you learn Korean. There are over 1000 language combinations on the platform, making it accessible for learners worldwide.
Emphasis is on fun, not on grammar
Although Mondly describes itself as being suitable for all fluency levels, most content on Mondly is geared towards beginners. Topics range from Family to Travel, each packed with around 120 new words and 30 phrases, providing a natural way to expand your Korean vocabulary. The learning journey begins with simple exercises matching pictures with words, gradually progressing to more complex phrases. A helpful toggle switch allows you to switch between transliteration (the English approximation of what you're saying) and Korean script, easing you into the language at your own pace. However, Mondly places less emphasis on grammar explanations, which may leave some learners wanting more guidance in constructing sentences.
You'll need a subscription to play with AI and VR tools
To unlock additional features like Chatbot (AI) and Augmented Reality, a subscription is required, offering an opportunity to enhance conversational skills in a simulated environment. You can get a peek at how Mondly's AI and VR work on the main page, even before you create your account.
Month-to-month, annual, and lifetime subscriptions
Visit Mondly practically anytime and you'll be likely to get an "exclusive sale” deal on those subscriptions. During our most recent visit, we got 95% off on lifetime access to all Mondly languages for "just” $99.99. Otherwise, you'll likely see a month-to-month subscription to Mondly's Korean lessons for $9.99 or an annual plan for $49.99. Just be aware that there is absolutely zero money-back guarantee here: it doesn't matter what your reason, Mondly will never give you a refund if you wind up not liking their Korean lessons.
Acquisition by Pearson might not be a good thing
In May of 2022, Mondly was acquired by the global learning company Pearson. Given our experiences with that company across several spheres, we're not sure that's a positive for Mondly, or that it means that any kind of improvements will be made to the language-learning platform (just check out what college students have to say about Pearson's MathLab, unlovingly referred to frequently as "MethLab”).
Priority may not be given to updating these Korean lessons
We also don't feel like we can count on Pearson to keep Mondly updated with respect to the Korean lessons specifically. Given that their press release at the time of acquisition highlighted their excitement at being able to "offer a full range of ways for people to learn and prove their English skills”, we wouldn't hold our breath waiting for Mondly to roll out big upgrades to the other languages on the platform. (Can we also point out that the awards that Mondly so proudly displays... were from 2017 and 2019? Where are the more current accolades? *crickets*)
Positive feedback is likely out of date
It's true that there are thousands upon thousands of five-star reviews for Mondly, especially when you look at the two app stores' ratings for the mobile version of the language platform. But, it's hard to tell how many of those perfect scores came from several years ago instead of more recently, and more current feedback shows a fair number of complaints about how the app works (or doesn't), how language mistakes are perpetuated across multiple updates (even after sending in reports to Mondly's team pointing them out), and so on.
Nothing beyond "average” here
Granted, you're only going to be out $100 or less if you decide to give Mondly a try past the free account features and don't wind up liking the Korean lessons you get. And, fortunately, there's that 7-day trial that makes it even less risky to see if the Premium features are worth the investment. Just keep in mind that if you take the leap and buy lifetime access for all of Mondly's languages, there's no guarantee that you're going to keep enjoying what the platform offers after its "collab” with Pearson.
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.
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:
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!
Select any 2 Korean Lessons to compare them head to head