Well, that was unexpected. I recently wrote a post outlining my plan to cram for the TOPIK II in 30 days. I had been planning to take the test on July 19, 2015. But, I guess plans change. As it turnsContinue reading How I Will Study for the TOPIK II in 120 Days (and You Can Join Me)
How I Will Study for the TOPIK II in 30 Days (Specialized Cheat Sheets)
I’m currently building up some momentum and anticipation for the upcoming 41st TOPIK test. I’ve made it my goal to take the test EVERY July until I reach Level 6 fluency. In 2013, I aced the Beginner TOPIK with aContinue reading How I Will Study for the TOPIK II in 30 Days (Specialized Cheat Sheets)
MERS : Me and Everybody Else Running Scared
Main Image Source: Wikimedia Commons It’s no secret that the MERS outbreak in South Korea has got people (seemingly) shaking in their boots. The first time I noticed something was up was when my friends, who are hagwon (academy) teachers,Continue reading MERS : Me and Everybody Else Running Scared
A Little Bit of a Mix Up with the Comments
Post featured image originally from digitalbear. After switching the Key to Korean theme over to my fully customized Gojoseon WordPress theme in February, I noticed a problem occurring with the Comments. I was pretty proud of the work I’d done onContinue reading A Little Bit of a Mix Up with the Comments
Why Key To Korean Hasn’t Received Much Blog Love Recently
This website, Key To Korean, began with THREE primary goals in mind: To provide supplementary materials to my wife’s Korean tutoring classes To motivate me to actively pursue fluency in Korean (and study hard) To push and motivate others around theContinue reading Why Key To Korean Hasn’t Received Much Blog Love Recently
Want a Key To Korean T-shirt?
With the rebrand of our site this year, I’ve updated a number of design elements and created some new ones including: Logo and background images Website Theme Business cards I also designed a T-shirt just for fun and I thoughtContinue reading Want a Key To Korean T-shirt?
RE: 6 Steps to Get Going Again After A False Start
Ever experienced a false start? One of those times you tell yourself, “I’m going to do X” but when you get yourself down to it, you don’t. False starts are most commonly experienced when good intentions don’t measure up toContinue reading RE: 6 Steps to Get Going Again After A False Start
Vocabulary for Leases and Real Estate
We again have a guest post from Darren and Yuna at askakoreanlawyer.blogspot.kr. They have some information about Renting and Deposit Protection and hopefully these phrases can help you shop smart. Leases (임대차계약서) 어휘 English meaning 임대인 landlord (legal, formal) 집주인 landlordContinue reading Vocabulary for Leases and Real Estate
A Collection of 80 Korean Rock Hits to Introduce you to some New Bands
Wow!~ I have to say, it is quite nice to see such a large collection of Korean bands that actually know how to play their instruments – and do it well (as opposed to another 5-person dance-troupe boy/girl-band K-pop group).Continue reading A Collection of 80 Korean Rock Hits to Introduce you to some New Bands
Get Back on That Horse that Bucked You
There’s not much in life more discouraging than failure – except perhaps, the full feeling of failure. Many people fail at something, yet don’t feel like failures. And many other people constantly feel like failures though they succeed greatly. Every lifeContinue reading Get Back on That Horse that Bucked You
Introducing the Gojoseon WordPress Theme for Key To Korean
I’ve been planning/considering a redesign of Key To Korean since last summer. I’d planned to do it over the winter and unveil everything on New Year’s Day 2015. But, that day came and went and I’d been too busy workingContinue reading Introducing the Gojoseon WordPress Theme for Key To Korean
What’s In, What’s Out 2015
Well, it’s about mid-way through the first month of the New Year, 2015, and life is busier than ever for me. I’m currently working on designing, developing, and rolling out an entirely NEW brand identity for Key To Korean (K2K)Continue reading What’s In, What’s Out 2015
Using Korean Google Fonts (10 New Korean Fonts to Try Out on Your Website)
Wow! now this is an exciting development! (Thanks to Korean Vitamin for the link.) As a web developer myself, I’ve often been fascinated by the sheer amount of Google Fonts that are freely available to import and use on websitesContinue reading Using Korean Google Fonts (10 New Korean Fonts to Try Out on Your Website)
Website Updates and Downtime
I started performing some website updates today and in my effort to speed things up and remove some of the clutter, I’m now getting some 404 errors on old posts. This is actually a GOOD THING because the brokenness nowContinue reading Website Updates and Downtime
Let’s Learn About the Gojoseon Dynasty
Let’s Learn About the Gojoseon Dynasty – TOGETHER! I’m doing a small research project on Gojoseon (고조선). I’m particularly interested in: Symbols, patterns, art, designs, icons, iconic imagery from that period. I already know about Dangun, the tiger + bear,Continue reading Let’s Learn About the Gojoseon Dynasty
How I’m Studying Korean for FREE from Korea University (and You Can Too!)
FREE Korean Lessons from Korea University (Cyber University of Korea) from Aaron Snowberger **The following is a complete write-up of the information in the Slideshare above and includes some TIPS at the end. Quick Links Registration Instructions Membership Sign-up PageContinue reading How I’m Studying Korean for FREE from Korea University (and You Can Too!)
What to Expect After Acceptance in a KIIP Online Class
At the beginning of 2014, I heard about KIIP (사회통합프로그램). In the first quarter (around March), I took the KIIP Pre-test and was placed in Level 4. After not being able to take the online class in the first halfContinue reading What to Expect After Acceptance in a KIIP Online Class
Learning With Texts Dictionary Update
FYI: For anyone having trouble with Naver dictionary no longer loading properly in LWT (Learning With Texts): I’ve discovered that the original Naver dictionary link I used isn’t working properly right now: http://endic.naver.com/search.nhn?sLn=kr&isOnlyViewEE=N&query=### (Note, the portion in red wasn’t inContinue reading Learning With Texts Dictionary Update
Apologies for our Contact Form ERROR
Admin note: Wow guys! I thought we weren’t very popular because I haven’t been getting ANY mail in my inbox from this site for 3-4 months now! Turns out there’s just something wrong with this Contact form! ㅠㅠ So sorry aboutContinue reading Apologies for our Contact Form ERROR
Happy Birthday! Key To Korean is 2~
Key To Korean : Happy Birthday Year ONE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obe_ybf3twU Although it’s been about 2 months since I posted ANYTHING on the Key To Korean site, that doesn’t mean I’ve been slacking off. My summer was quite busy as you canContinue reading Happy Birthday! Key To Korean is 2~
The Truth About Memory and Learning (Accelerated Learning Part 1)
They call it “Accelerated Learning” because you learn faster when you’re relaxed, interested, motivated, and learning in your particular Learning Style. But they should really call it “Authentic Learning” because the principles of “Accelerated Learning” aren’t really tricks or hacksContinue reading The Truth About Memory and Learning (Accelerated Learning Part 1)
My Temperature’s Rising! Expressions (#16) to say when you get Angry in Korean
As always, click the images above to go to our TUMBLR page with more details about the stories behind the expressions. In terms of severity and “fight-initiating potential” I’d probably rank them like this: Mild: “I swear I’ll change myContinue reading My Temperature’s Rising! Expressions (#16) to say when you get Angry in Korean
TOPIK Intermediate Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 증급 쓰기)
The following is a list of actual previous essay writing questions from the Intermediate (중급) TOPIK Test (including dates). For more practice and additional resources, be sure to check out all the previous copies of TOPIK tests on the official TOPIK website. (Find 기출문제 다운로드)Continue reading TOPIK Intermediate Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 증급 쓰기)
TOPIK Beginner Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 초급 쓰기)
The following is a list of actual previous essay writing questions from the Beginner (초급) TOPIK Test (including dates). For more practice and additional resources, be sure to check out all the previous copies of TOPIK tests on the officialContinue reading TOPIK Beginner Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 초급 쓰기)
TOPIK Advanced Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 고급 쓰기)
The following is a list of actual previous essay writing questions from the Advanced (고급) TOPIK Test (including dates). For more practice and additional resources, be sure to check out all the previous copies of TOPIK tests on the official TOPIK website. (Find 기출문제 다운로드)Continue reading TOPIK Advanced Writing Topics & Tips (한국어능력시험 고급 쓰기)
Learning Korean: Start With Why
I’ve recently been reading a book touted by entrepreneurs and business people as one of the most important books in the last decade. The book has also been followed up with a TED.com talk by the author that’s become theContinue reading Learning Korean: Start With Why
Vocabulary RE: Legal Professionals
Again we are happy to welcome Yuna Lee and Darren Bean of //askakoreanlawyer.blogspot.com// today supplementing their post about types of legal professionals in Korea. Vocabulary: 행정사 = Administrative counselor 노무사 = Labor counselor 법무사 = General counselor 변리사 = IntellectualContinue reading Vocabulary RE: Legal Professionals
How to Register for the NEW TOPIK (2014)
Register for the NEW TOPIK (2014) from Aaron Snowberger With the release of the NEW TOPIK, the TOPIK website has also been completely redesigned and streamlined to allow for a more enjoyable and easy user interface. The PPT above provides translated instructionsContinue reading How to Register for the NEW TOPIK (2014)
The 3 Korean Anthems you MUST know to consider yourself truly Korean-ized
1. 애국가 (The National Anthem) Some facts about Aegukga: The National Anthem: The title means “Patriotic song” or “Song for the love of the country.” It was written in 1896 for the cornerstone-laying ceremony of Independence Gate in Seoul. WrittenContinue reading The 3 Korean Anthems you MUST know to consider yourself truly Korean-ized
Get Excited About the 2014 Brazil World Cup Korean Style with an Album of Cheering Songs
Get pumped up for the 2014 Brazil World Cup Korean-style with this new CD from some of Korea’s top bands and singers! This is the 5th “Red Devils” album (Korea’s national soccer team mascot is the Red Devil). If youContinue reading Get Excited About the 2014 Brazil World Cup Korean Style with an Album of Cheering Songs