As a Korean teacher, I truly hope all my students find learning Korean fun and fast. However, the reality is that language learning isn’t always easy. It can sometimes feel slow or even boring. I’ve found that the problem isn’t the student, but their misunderstanding of the language learning process.
Learning a language is a skill, much like any other. For example, think back to when your parents taught you how to ride a bike. Mastering that skill required three key things. If you want to know how to learn Korean effectively, understanding these three aspects is the first step.
1. You Have to Fall Repeatedly (Embrace Language Learning Mistakes)
Is there anyone who learned to ride a bike without falling? Probably not—it’s nearly impossible! The same goes for the language learning process. You have to make mistakes over and over.
Many of my students are particularly shy, which makes me wonder if introverted personalities are drawn to the calmness of East Asian cultures. These students tend to feel embarrassed about making language learning mistakes when speaking Korean.
I understand because I feel the same when I speak a foreign language. When I overthink grammar or expressions, it becomes difficult to speak naturally. This fear of making language learning mistakes is the biggest barrier to progress.
There are times when I need to communicate with my students in English while teaching Korean. At first, I felt embarrassed about my lack of English fluency. However, I soon realized that native English speakers were impressed that I could speak their language at all! Once I understood that, I stopped worrying about speaking perfectly.
The same applies to you. Even if your Korean is full of mistakes, speak up! Koreans will admire your effort. They know their language is difficult, and your attempt to speak it is a sign of respect. Just as you have to fall off a bike repeatedly to learn how to ride it, you need to make mistakes to improve your Korean. Soon enough, you’ll hear this often:
“한국어 잘 하시네요!” (Wow, your Korean is really good!)
2. Learning Alone Isn’t Enough (You Must Practice Speaking Korean)
Sitting in a chair while your parents explain the theory of balance will never teach you how to ride a bike. You can’t learn a skill just by studying it. This is the difference between passive input (listening, reading) and active output (speaking, writing).
No matter how many Korean words you memorize or how many lessons you take, you won’t be able to speak Korean unless you practice speaking Korean.
This is why many students feel frustrated. They “know” thousands of words and grammar rules, but they can’t speak. This is like knowing every part of a bicycle but never having sat on it.
If you’re learning with a Korean teacher, try to speak more than your teacher during lessons. Language exchanges with Korean friends are also helpful. Another great option is using the ‘Podo Korean’ app, where you can repeat audio clips to practice speaking.
How to practice alone: You don’t even need a partner to practice speaking Korean. The most effective way is to narrate your day in simple Korean.
- “I am walking.” (저는 걸어요.)
- “I am eating bread.” (빵을 먹어요.)
- “I want to drink coffee.” (커피 마시고 싶어요.)
This active recall builds the “muscle memory” for speaking. This is a crucial part of how to learn Korean effectively.
3. There’s a Time Gap (Why Patience in Language Learning is Key)
Once you’ve understood the first two points, it’s time to be patient. No one becomes an expert in a skill right after learning it.
Even after you fully grasp how to ride a bike, it takes time and practice to become proficient—to ride without wobbling, to turn corners smoothly, to use hand signals.
The same is true for Korean. This “time gap” is often called the “intermediate plateau.” It’s the most frustrating part of the language learning process, where you feel like you’re studying a lot but not improving.
This is normal. Your brain is busy building new neural pathways, organizing the information, and making connections. This process takes time, and you can’t rush it. This is why patience in language learning is not just a virtue, but a requirement.
You’ll gradually master new expressions by using them over and over again. During this process, you’ll discover your own style and strengths. So, don’t rush the journey.
A Final Thought on the Language Learning Process
➤ These are the three key aspects of the language learning process. Just as we compared it to learning to ride a bike, these principles apply to any skill.
- Be Brave: Don’t fear language learning mistakes. They are proof that you are trying.
- Be Active: Don’t just study. Practice speaking Korean every day, even if it’s just to yourself.
- Be Patient: Trust the process. Patience in language learning is what separates those who quit from those who become fluent.
Understanding these three parts of the language learning process is the key. You can even use them to improve your hobbies and enjoy life more!
