If you’re asking “what is the fastest way to learn Korean?” the answer might surprise you. Watching countless videos of famous swimmers won’t make you a better swimmer. To really improve, you need to spend time practicing in the pool.
The same goes for learning a language. If you want to know how to learn Korean effectively, you must understand this one truth: no matter how good your app or teacher is, without putting in your own effort, progress will be slow.
Today, I’d like to share some Korean teacher’s advice based on the most memorable student attitudes I’ve encountered. These three types of students learned Korean much faster than others, and through their stories, you might discover some tips to help you learn Korean more effectively.
1. Take Charge: How Active Learning Korean Leads to Success
I once received a message from a student who had booked his first lesson. It said, “Please don’t prepare anything for the class.”
I was confused. At the time, I was a fairly new teacher, so I was anxious about not preparing enough. Still, I decided to follow his request and started the lesson without any prior preparation.
To my surprise, the class flowed naturally. This student was the perfect example of active learning Korean. He led the conversation, practicing the specific expressions he wanted to master. I’d say he spoke 80% of the time. All I needed to do was listen, respond appropriately, and give feedback on his mistakes.
His Korean skills were impressive. He said that learning languages was a hobby, and he had already taught himself Chinese and Japanese using the same method.
Of course, this approach isn’t easy for beginners. However, the key takeaway here is that the student took charge of the lesson, knowing exactly what he wanted to achieve. Rather than passively waiting for the teacher to guide him, he actively participated with clear goals. This is the fastest way to learn Korean.
Tip for Beginners: You can do this too! Even if you’re a beginner, don’t just show up. Come to class with a question, a goal, or a sentence you want to build. (e.g., “Today, I want to learn how to order food,” or “What’s the difference between
이and가?”).
2. Perfect Your Review: The Secret to Building Knowledge
When I start a lesson, I always ask the student about what we learned in the previous session. If they don’t remember, we have to spend extra time reviewing it. When this happens repeatedly, it feels like we’re stuck in one place. This is frustrating for both the student and the teacher.
Learning only during lesson time, without personal review, is the least effective way to study. The lesson is for guidance and practice; the real learning happens during review.
If you have a one-hour lesson, I recommend spending at least two hours reviewing. But here’s how to review Korean effectively: don’t just re-read your notes.
- Before the next class: Spend 10-15 minutes actively quizzing yourself on the last lesson’s vocabulary.
- Re-write sentences: Look at the English sentences you learned to say in Korean, and try to write the Korean translation from memory.
- Prepare questions: Note down anything you’re still confused about.
Students who thoroughly review past lessons improve their Korean skills much faster. It’s like stacking new bricks on a strong base. Both the student and the teacher feel a sense of achievement, making the learning process more enjoyable.
3. Use It Immediately: Making New Expressions Your Own
What do you do when you learn a new expression during class? Do you write it down in your notebook? While that’s helpful, it shouldn’t end there.
The students who excel in Korean immediately try to use new expressions they’ve learned. They don’t just memorize; they create.
For example, if I teach the grammar ~고 싶어요 (…I want to), the best students will immediately say:
- “Ah, so I can say
저는 한국에 가고 싶어요.(I want to go to Korea)?” - “Can I also say
저는 불고기 먹고 싶어요.(I want to eat bulgogi)?”
They create their own sentences and practice the expressions in real-life scenarios. When forming these sentences, it’s best to focus on topics that are relevant to your own life. This active learning Korean technique connects the new grammar to your personal memories, making it stick. You can also ask the teacher for instant feedback to ensure you’re using it correctly.
A Korean Teacher’s Advice: Your Final Takeaway
Learning a language is like mastering a skill – it requires constant practice and usage. This is how to learn Korean effectively.
Taking a passive approach in lessons—just listening and nodding—won’t help you make significant progress. This Korean teacher’s advice is to become an active participant in your own education.
Whether you’re learning through a lesson, an app, or a book, setting aside time to actively practice, review, and create on your own is essential. By learning from these three types of students, you too can find the fastest way to learn Korean.
Happy learning!
