When you search for “Korean” in the app market, you’ll find countless language learning apps. With so many options, it’s difficult to know how to choose a Korean learning app that actually works.
Apps can be incredibly useful tools for learning a language, but they’re not always the most popular choice among serious learners. Why is that? Often, it’s because they choose the wrong app.
In this post, I’ll share four key tips on how to find the best Korean language app. These tips won’t only help you find a great Korean app but will also be useful when searching for apps to learn other languages.
1. Is the App Focused Solely on Teaching Korean?
There are some very popular global language apps that allow you to learn multiple languages. While it’s convenient to have access to many languages, these apps often contain awkward expressions.
Why? It’s because they tend to create one lesson (“How to order coffee”) and then simply translate that exact lesson into 10 different languages. Since each language has its own unique way of expressing things (e.g., different grammar, levels of politeness, or cultural context), this one-size-fits-all approach often results in unnatural phrases that a native speaker would never say.
I had a similar experience when learning Thai. I subscribed to a premium version of a well-known app, but after conversing with native speakers, I realized I was learning awkward phrases. I felt betrayed by the app and deleted it immediately.
So, the first thing you should check is whether the app focuses solely on teaching Korean. A couple of additional languages might not be a dealbreaker, but if the app offers 10 or more, you might want to reconsider. A dedicated app is more likely to be the best Korean language app because its content is created for Korean, not just translated into Korean.
2. Was It Created by a Korean Native Speaker?
After my experience with Thai, I wondered about Korean apps. Since I’m a native Korean speaker, I figured I could easily spot issues. I searched for “Learning Korean” in the app store and downloaded about ten of the most popular apps. I was shocked.
Many of them had incorrect or awkward expressions, even in the app’s promotional images. I could immediately tell that these apps were not made by native speakers.
Learning a language from a Korean app (by a) native speaker is always the most effective method. While you might be able to practice with another learner, it’s hard to learn the language accurately this way. That’s why it’s important to choose an app created with the help of native speakers. You can check the app’s “About Us” page or look for reviews that mention the native-speaker quality.
3. Does the Audio Sound Natural?
Most language apps offer audio features. When developing an app, companies usually hire voice actors or use AI-generated voices. If developers have the budget, they can hire voice actors to provide very natural pronunciations, but this is rare.
Most apps rely on AI-generated voices, and the quality of these voices can vary greatly. To learn natural Korean pronunciation, you need to listen to natural-sounding audio. This isn’t just about clear pronunciation—it’s about intonation, speed, and emotion. Robotic AI voices often get the intonation wrong, making you sound unnatural even if you pronounce the word correctly.
When I was developing my own app, “Podo Korean”, I wanted to use AI-generated voices. While AI technology has improved, I found that it still had limitations. During testing, I noticed that the AI pronunciation was mostly fine but sounded odd in certain sentences. In the end, I decided to record the audio myself. While I’m not a professional voice actor, I figured learners would benefit from hearing the everyday pronunciation of a native Korean speaker. This is a key part of what to look for in a language app.
4. Are the Lessons Well-Structured?
This is the most important tip. Before developing “Podo Korean”, I surveyed 402 Korean learners. The biggest complaint they had about existing Korean apps was the “low quality of lessons”.
A “well-structured” app means it has a logical curriculum.
- It should take you from A to B to C, building on what you’ve learned.
- It should not be just a random collection of vocabulary lists (e.g., “10 Animals,” “10 Colors”) with no grammar or context.
- It should clearly explain grammar points and then provide practical, real-life examples.
While there are many Korean apps available, serious learners found that only a few offered quality content. It seems that many learners’ frustrations with these apps have caused them to turn away from using them. If you find an app you like, it’s important to check the curriculum it offers. Make sure the lessons don’t just focus on the basics, that there’s enough content, and that the app allows you to progress to higher levels.
A Final Tip: How to Find the Best Korean Language App
The app I developed, “Podo Korean”, reflects all the qualities of a good app we’ve discussed. As the developer, of course, I hope you’ll download it! I built it specifically to address these four problems.
But I know my app isn’t perfect, and no single app is the best Korean language app for everyone. The true “best” method is to use multiple high-quality tools. It’s a good idea to use the Podo Korean app (I hope you’ll check it out and see if my Podo Korean app review of my own work is honest!) alongside other high-quality apps that meet these criteria.
By using multiple high-quality apps, you’ll be able to improve your Korean skills even faster!
